The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-09-04
MR.. UPNAM'S LETTER.
MONTPELIER, Aug. 9Th 1888.
Hon. G. l.. KNAPP:

Hon. c. l.. KNAPP:
Deer Sir-Yours ofthe 3Orh of July last, com.
nunicaIing 10 me the vote of the Montpelier An
| ii Slavery Society was received on the day of
its date, and would have been answered before
this but for i'll health
The ntcrrogations propounhed for me to am
swer are the following:
|. Are you in favor of aholishing slavery in
the district of Columbia?
2. Are you in favor of so regulating commerce
among the States ,hat human beings shall not he
made the subjects OF such trade?
| 3 Are you in favor of the annexation of Texas
TO this Union, under any circumstances, so long
us slaves are held therein2
A. Are you in favor OF acknowledging the in .
dependence of ilayti, and of establishing CONNER
cal relations with that nation OH the same terms
with the most favored nations?
To your first interrogatory my answer is in the
affirmative; bat simple affirmative answer /
suppose would he unsatisfactory 10 you and the
Society you represent: for | may be in favor OF
YhpIishng slavery in the District of Columbia, and
stitutional power TO lcgiSHIe upon the Subject
again, my answer may be in The affirmative, and
yet may be decidedly opposed to Immediate
action upon the subject without the consent of
the slave holding states.
From the fact that the question was PROFOUND
ed 10y vote Of tho Montpelier Anti slavery So
ciety, conclude that The Society wish to know
nay views in relation to the abolition Of slavery
in the District of Columbia, and how should
OF Congress.
Believing that have stated the true intent and
moaning Of The question, answer lnrther 10y lie
caring it to he my deliberate opinion, LIST. THAT
Congress has power to abolish slavery and the
slave trade i'm the District Of Columbia: I'd. That
Justice, humanity and national honor require THAI
it should be Immediately exercised: and 3d. That
it can be done without nlustice To the slave or
the shareholder, and without disturbing the
peace and quiet of the country. Immediate e.
Emancipation know has been represented rs
rash and dangerous step, but the history OF Brit
ish emancipation 10 the West Indies has shown
that no danger need DO upprehended from such
measure.
The British emancipation act was passed in
Jan. 1888, aud went into operation on inc LIST OF
August 1884. During the discussion upon the
act, and after its passage, the pro,saYery party
and press predicted the ruin of West India ISL
nnds. Commerce, said they will cease,-hordes
of burbarans will come upon us ahd drive us
from our own properties; agriculture VIII oe
completely pnralyzed; and Ja'nnica ana the
other Islands in the space of ii few short months
will he seen buried in ashcs-irretrlevabe rum
ed To show YOU how untounded were these
predictions Of the enemies OF emancipation,
quote from Lord Broughanl's speech, delivered
IN the House Of Lords in July, 1885. Inc hrst
of August 1884, arrived,'' said his Lordship-
tl,at day so confidently and joyousy antcipa-
ted hy the poor slaves and so sorey dreaded ny
their hard tusi-masters, and If everthere was
picture interesting TO look upon,-lf ever there
was passage IN the history of Il people rebound
ing to their eternal houor,-if ever there was
complete refuaton Of all the scandalons caiiiin-
MES which had been heaped upon them for agss
as if in justification ofthe wrongs which we tlad
done them,-ihat picture and that passage are to
be found in tho uniform and unvarylng history
of that people throughout the whole OF lne w. !;
isnnds Instead of The fires OF rebeiIioh,t ny aIeei
ING of lnwless revenge and resistance TO oppfes-
sion, the whole of those islands were like an Ara
bian scene Illuminated by the light OF content
ment. ioy, peace, and good will towards all men,
No civilized people, after gaining an unexpected
victory, could have shown more delicacy and tor
bearance than was exhibited 10y the slaves at the
great moral consunmaton which they had at
tained There was not look Or gesture which
could gall the eyes of their masters-not word
escaped from negro lips which could wound the
ear of the most everish planter in the island. Al
was oy mutual congratulation and hope. rms
peaceful Joy, this de;cacy towards the feelings
of others, was all that was to be seen, heard or
felt on that occasion, throughout the West india
islands. 1t was held that the day OF emanciPa
ton would be one of riot and debauchery' ana
hat even the lives of the planters would oe III
danger So far from this proving the case' tne
whole of the negro population kept 1t us inoss