The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-06-01
TIRE VOICE OF FREED

discussion, in which c. G.. BURLElGH, JAS. G..
FULLER, of New York, HENRY B. STANTON, H.
GREW, GERR1T SMITH, and T. S. LAVENDER par
ticpated. After the adoption of this resolution
and the appointment of several committees, the
Society adjourned until the next morning.
On the 2lst the meeting was opened at 8
o'clock A resolution, in regard to the disfran-
chsement Of the people of color, after some sensi
bic remarks from Thomas Whson, Lucretia
Mott, and others was adopted. The following
resolution was offered by the business committee ::
|" ResoLred, That it is inconsistent for the friends
of liberty to vote for slavery, il is to write, speak
or pray for it,"
Upon this resolution CERT SMITH made an i'm
aboionists to remember the slave at the ballot box,
and carry their principles into politics maintain
ing that political action was but one form of moral
action, in behalf of the enslaved.
THOMAS S. LAVENDER offered the following in
addition, san amendment =" and he who writes,
speaks, or prays against slavery, and yet refuses
to exercise whatever right he claims to vote and
petition against it in the District of Columbia at
every suitable opportunity, thereby gives virtual
sanction to the unhoy system"
In support of this the mover spoke with ability,
and was followed by Samuel ]. Levick against the
amendment and denying the right of the Society
to use political action for the aboltnn of slavery.
T JAMES c. FULLER followed, in lorcible and
animated manner, urging political action du-
y on the part Of abolitionists. He said slavery
had never been abolished in any part Of the world
without political action. Political action had
swept the foul stain from the British West Indies.
In all their movements the abolitionsts of Great
Britain have relied upon political action. He said
la worthy colored friend had told him, that had
all the Quakers of Pennsylvania gone to the ballot
box, and voted for their rights, the elective fran
chise could never have been wrested from himself,
and forty thousand of his brethren. Friend Full
LER remarked that he himself was a member of
the Society of Friends, and in advocating political
action for the overthrow of legal niquitv, he was
but acting in accordance with the example Of the
illustrius founder of Pennsy lvania William Penn
never surrendered his rights as citizen. He
contended for them before prosecuting Judges. He
wrote pamphlet to the electors of Great Britain
before Parliamentary election, urging them to
come forward and support good and honest men
by their sufirages, and he took by the hand Eng
lands noblest patriot-the noble and immortal
Agernon Sidney, and proclaimed him candidate
for the British Parliament. He concluded by de-
claring that he regarded the abolition of slavery
as paramount political object, that tariffs and
much as the former related TO the lives and liber-
ties of millions, and the others We're mere ques-
tons of currency and that he would prefer to see
his own property scattered to the winds by UNI
just legislation, than to preserve it by the purpetu-
ity of slavery
The resolution was laid on the table and an adj
TORMENT took place until o'clock P. NJ, giving
two hours for public meeting. AT this meeting,
Gerrit Smith made an able speech in renv to the
common objection, " We shall be orerrun acih ne
groes !" and closed with an earnest and solemn
appeal to the abolitionists to stand fast TO their
principles and follow neither sect nor party in any
measure detrimental to the cause ofthe perishing
slave.
He was followed by Henry B. Stanton, also in
answer to the popular objections against anti-save-
improvements, which he disposed of in triumphant
and mastery manner The large and beautiful
house was thronged with deeply attentive audi
ence; and conviction of the truth of our princi-
|ples was undoubtedly made upon many hearts,
heretofore insensble to the claims of humanity in
behalf of the slave.
We left in the afternoon of the 2lst, and the
proceedings of the meeting on the 22nd have not
reached us in season Cor today's paper. Between
two and three hundred delegates were in attend
ance, all animated with one spirit, united and
faithful phalanx Of devoted men and women. The
labors of our friends from abroad, -GERRIr SMITH,
with his generous heart and manly eloquence,-
JAMES C.. FULLER with his good-natured bluntness
aad warmth of zeal ,-HENRY B. STANTON, with
his stirring appeals-his whitening sarcasm, and
vehemence of rebuke, have been we'll received,
and have contributed in no small degree to the
Interest of our meetings.-Pena Freeman.