Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-04-24
q 8 "a g G. B 4 p 10
BRANDON, SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1889
For the Vermont TELEGRAPH.

For the Vermont Telegraph.
Fifth Annual Report of the Board OF
Managers of the Anst-Slavery Society of
Ferrisburgh and Vicinity.
The Board Of Managers present their An
nual Report, under circumstances not a lit
tie discouraging to superficial observers of
human nature-a ffording, in their apprehen-
sion, conclusive evidence that the Anti
Slavery cause is last "dying away"
Wherever the principles of abolition are
examined in their native simplicity and
beauty, apar: from their bearing upon secta-
ran and political organizations and selfish
interests, they never failso commend them
selves to the ready adoption of our fellow
citizens.
The glaring inconsistency of republican
slaveholding is so apparent, and the Unjust
! ice and cruelty OF the system Of slavery,
and the grievous sufferings OF its helpless
victims are so calculated to awaken our in
dignalion and sympathy, that numbers,
yielding TO the better impulses of our ma
ture, have rushed to our standard, without
sufficiently counting the cost 10 enable
them 10 persevere 10 the end. Others, es-
peclaIly in country places where the mass
of the people are less biased by the infu-
ence of leaders in church and state. seeing
the popular current setting strongly in our
favor, have fallen ilto the stream, in the
hope of making their professions OF attach
ment TO our cause subseryient 10 their own
political or selfish purposes. .,
1t was under such circumstances that our
Society was formed, in the Spring of 1885,
and embraced as members nearly the whole
I adult population, Of both sexes, in that par
= Of the town where our meetings were usu
: ally held, as well as many others from NOR
; remote sections. Unlike the Anti-Slaver
{ warfare in most places, all opposition to tin
= cause was reserved until after our organiza
$, ton. Our political parlzans and sectaria
IS bigots were taken by surprize. But the
10 did not long remain prisoners TO the sympa
n thies O. their hearts. The will Of their 81
u periurs was soon allowed to resume il
r ]
wonted dominion. As so5n as it was as
o. certained that the heads Of one Of the pc
le litical parties had declared hostility TO til
E. abolition enterprise, their satellites fortl
with responded 10 the call; and thus som
VI who had been the most lavish of THEN prt
- fessions of zeal and devotion 10 the cause
To the slave, turned away and walked no mo-
ad with US. An opportunity was also soon a
be forded of witnessing the struggle betwet
IN: the true principles Of liberty, the claims
ny humanity and the voice of conscience, ca
~ iLg Us TO the discharge of our duty 10 Goo
tor suffering poor, and that sectarian spir
ose which, clothed in the garb Of an angel
oh light, is too often mistaken for real pie
i'm ard which, under false zeal for the eau
ing Of religion, will sacrifice our hottest obi:
WI lions to God and our fellow creatures TO
e. peace, the false peace Of the church.
ons was not 10 be expected that, under the {
the Cums,ances of our organization, we sho
ans escape the encounter of this potent enc
the TO our cause, it soon manifested itself,
e1P- with its paralizing hand struck some of
o"o professed friends Of the slave dumb 10
, :, enlreaties and substituted for their temp
able ry zeal in the cause Of humanity, bible
owed "l834, I believe, brother.-ED. TEL.