The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-05-25
g11z1Ia V@I0la OLE EB@ND0EEo
For the Voice of Freedom.


Fifth ANIMAL Report of the Board of Man.
ayers of the Anti-Slavery Society OF feENs-
burgh and Vicinity.
CONCLUDED.
This change in the public feeling towards the
aholit;onists has been the means of bringing some
into our ranks, whose subsequent conduct has
manifested that their motives were far different
from those which actuated the pioneers in the
rause. The latter had been enabled to overlap
all sectarian partv-lines, and to unite with each
other in terms of the most entire confidence and
harmony, on one common ground of humanity ::
thew had but one condition to their terms of COM
munion-a deep conviction of the sin of slavery !;
and but one test of their worthiness of member
ship-a perseverng application of all the means,
sanctioned by law, humanity and religion for its
immediate overthrow; leaving each individual
to the free exercise of his own judgment and con-
science, to determine what course was consistent
for him to persue in accordance with his views
of these obligations Whilst the former were
constantly in Jealous anxiety lest the peculiar
views of some prominent abolitionists on subjects
totally disconnected with our common cause should
come in collision with their favorite creed. 1t is to
be remarked that the abolition enterprise neither
originated with the clergy, nor has it as yet had
their support; but with few exceptions, it has
met either their para lying neglect or their active
opposition. One reason for their thus standing
loo from the enterprise, is to be found in the fact
thatit originated with an individual then in OBJ
scure life, who had never received the honors of
theological seminary nor even of a New Eng
land College, but who had thoroughly investi-
gated the whole system of slavery; and having
himself experienced something of the crueltes of
its spirit, he prepared to sympathize with the
crushed victims of its power; and beholding the
Indifference and apathy of nearly the whole ma
ton on the subject, he felt called upon to speak out
in strong and startling language, in great panness
of rebuke, declaring the northern apoogist to be
equally guilty with the southern Shareholder, and
censuring with deserved severity those protested
ministers of the Gospel who studiously avoid ma
king any appeals in behalf of the heather of our
country, whilst they manifest great zeal for those
of all other lands.
Another reason why the clergy have so gener-
ally opposed the Ant-Slavery cause, is, they had
nearly all, ofevery denomination, committed them
selves in favor of the Colonization Society They
had preached and taken up collections in its be-
half; and many of them had made laudatory
speeches at its anniversaries and now, to see it
denounced as an enemy to the colored race, and
its great schemes of protested benevolence called
in question, and that too by mere mechanic, was
more than they could complacently bear. Hence
the hue and cry about the harsh language and the
reckless spirit Of the abolitionsts and especially
the editor of the Liberator; and hence since the
cause of abolition has become more popular, has
the dema nd been reiterated from those who have
thus stood aloof from the struggle, Change your
leaders, soften your measures" DISMISS
GARRISON from your rG1'hs, and y0u nall hare
all tile clergy Of Neao England NTH yoa," And
it is painful to add, that disposition has been too
plainly indicated, by some in ranks, 10 respond
Tho notorious Clor,col IL.
and more recent demonstrations from the same
quarter, are instances of this kind
This brief and imperfect sketch of the progress
of the Anti-Slavery cause is given, in order to
right understanding of our present position. We
have arrived at crisis in which it is of the utmost
Importance that we should have frequent recur-
renee to our fundamental principles, and to the
original terms of our unon-that, casting aside all
sectarian and party jeaousies, and cherishing the
utmost indulgence to the conscientious scruples of
all our brethren and sisters, we may continue with
all the force of our united and harmonious labors,
to urge onward the glorious car of freedom, that
none of our strength may be wasted in striving to
pull each other down from the eminence they may
have Justly earned but that now, when so much
needed, it may all be expended to the best account
for the furtherance of our single obect-he peace
full redemption of the slave.
The discussion of the principles and measures
of the abolitionists which, for the last few years,
has agitated almost every corner of our country,
has brought into vigorous exercise and qualified
for usefulness hundreds and thousands of minds,
which without some occasion would have remain
ed like the marble in the quarry, or the bright
gems which the clark unfathomed caves of ocean
bear"
A multitude of men and women of respectable
talents, and some of superior minds, have by this
means been raised up and trained for moral war
fare, who would otherwise have continued to pur-
sue the smooth and even tenor of their way, con-
tent to take for truth the creeds of their oreahers
or the dogmas of their spiritual guides; without
ever being at the pains to investigate any primer.
ple of morals for themselves, or the foundation OF
any of their social or civil obligations The free
and unreserved investigation of the question OF
slavery and the irresistible conclusions to which
such investigation has led, contrary to the time
honored theories of slavehoding divinity, and IN
opposition to the publicly avowed sentiment OF
large proportion of those classes whose opinion
had long been regarded as law, and their judy
ment as infallble have necessarily induced hab-
II of independent inquiry on other subjects; and
il NAV now be regarded as one of the most auspi-
rims SIGNS of the times, that the public mind is be-