Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-09-21
VOL. XII.-No. 5S7

how That gentleman could have brought
himself to submit to such a report.
Mr. Chairman, ! do not admit that i, is
the business of this assembly to decide
whether | shnll or shall not publish,
newspaper in this city. The gentlemen
have, as the lawyers say, made wrong
issue. have the right to do il. ] know
tina, have the right freely TO speak and
publish my sentiments, subject only to the
laws Of the land for the abuse Of that right.
The right was given me by my Maker. and
is solcmn'y guaranteed to me by the Con
stituion of these United States. and Of
this State. What ] wish to know of YOU
is, whether you will protect me in the
exercise of this right, or whether as here
| toore, | am 10 be subjected to personal
indigni,y and outrage. These resolutions,
| and the measures proposed by them. are
spoken of as n compromise; compromise
between two parties. Mr.. Chairman, this
is not so; there is but one party here. 1t
is simply question whether the law shall
be enforced, or whether the mob shall be
allowed, as they now DO, to continue to
trample it under their feet. by violating
with impunlty the right of an innocent
individual. Mr.. Chairman what have l to
COMPROMISED If freely to forgive those
who have so greatly injured me-if to pray
for their temporal and eternal happiness;
il still to wish for the prosperity OF your
city and State, notwithstanding all the
lndIgntles have suffered in it; if this be
the compromise intended, then do I will.
ingy make it. My rights have been
shamefully, wickedly outraged; this l
know, and feel, and can never forget, but l
can and do freely forgive those who have
done it.
But if by compromise be meant, that
should cease from doing that which duty
requires of me, cannot make it. And the
reason is, that fear God more than fear
man. Think not that would lightly 20
contrary to public sentiment around me.
, The good opinion Of nv fellow men is dear
to me. and would sacrifice anything but
principle to obtain their good wishes; but
when they ask me to surrender this, they
ask for more than | can-than dare give.
Reference is made 10 the fact that offered.
a few days since, to yield up the editorship
=. of the "Observer" into other hands. This
is true; did so because it was thought or
said by some, that perhaps the paper would
be better patronized in other bands. They
declined accepting my offer, however, and
since then we have heard from the friends
and supporters of the paper in all parts Of
them, and this was, that the paper could be
sustained in no other hands than mine. 1t
is also very different question, whether
shall voluntarily, or at the request OF friends.
yield up my post, or whether shall forsakn
1t at the demand of mob. The former |
am at all times ready to do, when circnm-
stances seem to require it, as | will never
put my personal wishes or interests in com.
petition with the cause Of that Master
whose minister | am; but the latter, be
assured, NEVER WILL DO. God, in his
providence, so say all my brethren, and go
| think, has devolved upon me the respon-
slbIty of maintaining my ground here.
and, Mr.. Chairman, am determined to do
it. A voice comes to me from Maine, from
Massachusetts,, from Connecticut, from N.
York. from Pennsylvania; yea, from Ken
|, lucky, from Mississippi, f.om Missouri,
ca ling upon me in the namc Of all that is
dear to Heaven or earth, to stand fast; and
by the help of God, WILL STAND. I
know | am but one and you are many.
My strength would avail but little against
you all; you can crush me if you will but
shall die at my post, for | can not and
will not forsake it. Why should l fee
HpU AllOu HOl tniS u ITee Otu(e !!
When assailed By mob at 81. Louis,
,, came here as to the home Of freedom and
of the laws. The mob have pursued me
here, and why should retreat again ?
Where can be safe if not here, Have
not right to claim the protection Of the
laws and what more can have in any
m other place? Sir, the very act Of retreats
ing will embolden the mob TO follow me
wherever 90. No, Sir, there is no way
to escape the mob. but to abandon the
path of duty, aud that, God helping me,
never will do.
1t has been said here that my hand Is
''e against every man, and every mans hand
cr, against me. The last part of the decara-
oh ton is too painfully true. do indeed find
almost every hand lifted against me. bu,
>e' against whom in this place has my hand
'as bee0 raised ] appeal to every indivdua
If present whom Of you have | injured
whose character have | traduced whose
''e family have | molested' whose bushes.
have meddled WITH II any, let him rst
here and testify against me.
,,o. NO one answers.
| And do not your resolutions say tina
uil, you find nothing against my private o
'ich personal character And does any on
ana believe That If there were anything TO b
found, it would not be found and brough
forth If in anything have offende
the against the law am not so popular in thl
l. ! community as that it would be difficult I
ties convict me. You have courts, and Judge,
my and juries; they find nothing against IN,
b | and now you have come together for III
my purpose OF driving out coniessedly innc
@ ! cent man, for no cause but that he dares
hat think and speak as his conscience aud q
this his God dictate. Will conduct like tn
far stand the scrutiny of pos,erltv, above al