The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-11-09
THE VOICE OF FREEDOM.
MONTPELIER, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9,;lsss
Abolition--Ancient and Modern.

tioHiSlS are met WIN MODS and violence, when no
such opposition was manifested against abolition
in the days of President Edwards and his coadu-
tors? This question has been asked by one high
among our great men, as an argument to show,
that there must be something wrong in modern
Notwithstanding in which it differs wide
y from the abolitonism of Edwards, and Hop,
kins, and others of kindred spirit. But we think
the Inference hardly follows from the premises as
wards, and he will find them as seuere as the Ian.
guage of modern abolitionists.- He was not afraid
to call sin by its right name nor to denounce
gainst Shareholders the judgments of righteous
God Some other reason must then, be found
to show why mobs and violence are brought out
against the measures of mooern abolitonists, ra-
Their than in former days, besides the pretence that
their language is more severe against slavery, or
Shareholders. And there can be no difficulty in
finding reasons in abundance.
l. In the days of Edwards, the ministers of
Christ generally, condemned slavery, and prayed
for the oppressed. They were united in their tes-
timony, and twas respected by the people. Now,
many in the ministry are ready to deny, or extern
uate the sin of laveholding-justify or excuse
shareholders, and condemn all anti-slavery move
ments. The ministry are divided. Half speak
in the language of A$hdod, contradict the testimo-
my of their brethren, destroy It's influence, and
encourage mobocrats to despise and reject it. How
long can a house thus divided stand?
2. Modern abolition implies action. In theory
Edwards and others were thorough, and their in
huence was good; but they did not grapple the
monster with fixed determination to STAY him.
And many in these days abhor slavery in the a5-
stract, who are afraid of any measure, that i'm
plies action. Said learned divine in the late
Convention, slavery is the greatest curse Of the
country" but when resolution was proposed
which required him and others to come TO the res
cue, and try 10 free the nation from this curse, he
opposed the resolution because it implied action.
Words are but wind and will soon blow away but
ACTION, fixed, perseverng ACTION, is another thing,
and must be resisted, and mobbed down.
3. The spirit of slavery is more bold and ram
pant, than it was fifty years ago Then we had,
as nation, just broken our chains. Many Of
the States had liberated their slaves, and slavery
was almost universally condemned And in the
states, where it was retained, compassion for the
master triumphed over justice to the slave. 1t
was said, not that the slave could not take care
Of himself, but that the master could not live with
out slave labor The whites could not endure to
l. a. ,11r a., a. l
blacks to labor, or abandon the country. Hence,
the clause in the Constitution, allowing the afro
cious slave trade for twenty years. In those days,
slavery had 10 stand on the defensive, and was
willing to sue for favors, and receive as boon,
what she now demands as her right. Then, she
was weak, and spake out of the dust Now she
lifts up her head, bold and rampant. Then, her
spirit luried in southern rice swamps aud was glad
to be secured in her own limits but now she bold
" advances from the SOUTH raises her crest at the
north, violates the sanctuary of freemen, and sets
her bloodhounds on to bite and devour all, who
dare resist her demands. Mobocrats, whether in
high life, or in low life, are her willing tools, and
she delights to employ them.
and the south are much more extensive, than in
olden times. This is fact so notorious, that it
is needless to produce any proof But we may
add, it has powerful effect The northern mer-
chant, who thrives by southern trade, wishes TO
enjoy the good will Of his customers, enjoys oc-
casonally their hospitality, and divides with them
the gains of unreqnited labor He enters into
their views, learns their language, and is ready
TO apologize for their domestic institutions. And
when men Of property and standing an society,"
are needed to head mobs against abolitionists, you
may expect some of these gentlemen merchants
will be ready for the service.
s. Northern silversmiths and other craftsmen
find profitable market among Shareholders, and
they are as fond of the wealth, which they derive
from this market, as was the man, who made siE-
yer shrines for Diana, raised mob and set all
the city of Ephesus in an uproar. Gain is to such,
goodness, and they are ready to cry out Great
is Diana Of the Ephesans," when their gains are