Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-01-17
OGee ofthe American A. S. Society }
Neu- York, Jan. 5, 1888.
CIRCULAR


denied to the people by their servants
Two years ago, nearly at the close of
the session, and preceded by an elaborate
and specious report, a resolution was
adopted directing that all petitions and
memorials of the people on,the subject OF
slavery should be laid on the table, un-
read, undebated, unreferred.
At the last session, by virtue of a SINH
lar resolution. the petitions Of more than
one hundred thousand of our fellow citi-
zens were stifled and denied hearing.
| The present session hadescarcely COM
menced, when the presentation of a large
number of petitions, from all parts of the
| free states, evinced the determination of
an insulted people to assert their own
rights. and those of their enslaved fellow
men in the District over which their own
Representatives possessed exclusive legisla-
ton On the Goth of December, Hon.
William slade, Of Vermont addressed the
House in favor Of the prayer of the me-
morialiSts. He was interrupted through
out by the Southern gation-who,
finding all attempts to silence him by
clamor unavailing, abruptly left the house,
and proceeded to hold convention by
themselves. In this conclave, in the
darkness and secrecy BETTING such a
deed, it was resolved, that the right of Pc
ltition, once deemed sacred to freemen,
should again be demanded a sacrifice to
slavery.
! Accordingly, the next day, Mr.. Patton,
a distinguished member from Virginia,
introduced the following resolution:
| Resolved, That all memorials. pitt
tons and, papers, touching the abolition
| of slavery, or the buying, selling, or trans
fer OF slaves in any state, territory, or dis
, trict of the United States. shall be laid on
: the table, without reading, or reference,
or printing, and that, no further action
whatever shall be had thereon"
Moving, himself, the "precious CUES
tiOn," debate and remonstrance were cut
off, and this resolution adopted by vote
of l22 to "a.
Thus has the right of petition beer
I trampled In the dust. Last year, it wa.
5 decided in Congress that the slare had nj
f right to petltion-to plead for himself, o
:, utter his grievances And now, that RICH
{ is denied 10 all who would offer a praye
: in his behalf. The freease" of the Mort.
AMI West are nosc placed on a lsuel toit
the slape-
Feliow-citizens the facts of this thrice
repeated outrage upon your liberties ar
before you. The great wrong you hav
a suffered at the hands of southern despo>
L ism and northern subserviency is man
fest " before all Israel and the SUM-"
:, view of it, we would not address you in tn
- language of passion GOODNESS, frmnes
n and energy, are demanded at this crisi
n A dreadful precedent is about to be estat
~ lished: and, unless promptly resisted, thos
! rights, which are sacred even under tn
- despotism ofthe old world, will be denie
!, forever to American freemen.
y HoR. John Quincy Adams has alread
n given notice, that he shall move, at an earl
h day, the resembling of the resolution ofth
e 2lst of December. In order to sustai
70 him, and those of his colleagues who hay
" not bowed the knee to the Baal of SLAYER
in we would urge upon your attention tt
- following suggestions:
- l. Let petitions, praying Congress
N RESCIND the obnoxious resolution,
~ Immediately put in circulation in ever
- county and town OF the free states.
ID q Let petitions, praying your respe
-. tive State Legislatures to protest again
this deliberate and systematic violation
- the Constitution on the part of Congress,
ho at the same time circulated.
~ g. Let this be done thoroughly-spee
" ily-AT ONCE. There is not m
ment to be lost. If every individual w
reads this circular will 60 to work, fort
DC with, to procure signatures to such pc
ne tons, speedy and healthful reaction W
Of be feitin the national legislature. T.
It'll recreant representatives. Of northern fire
tn men, may be made to comprehend thu
ri duty to their constituents and to the Co
>, stitution they have sworn to suppo
The lniquitous resolution itself may bel
'ea scnded before the close of the prese
IN session.
Tas We are aware that many of you ha
on, already done much in the work of clrc
au- lating petitions. But we confide in Y
- as tried and true men. We know and {
G.. preciate your tabors-your self-denyi
and arduous devotion to the cause of
not man freedom. Wearepersuaded you "
pit. feel, with US, that the present is no til
ere for repose. The work must be done nt
the the aggression must be met AT ono
ors SHALL 1T BE DONE? Your {
ri swer to this question may decide the d
times of this country. May the God
'eo the oppressed give you wisdom & strenE
ole for the emergency! ~
nd Yours very respectfully,
the s~. JAMES g. BIRNEE, -. T.
on ELIzUR WRIaHT, Jr. Cor Sc
nm -.. HENRY B. STANTON. i. f.,