The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-03-30

seek to excite one portion of the country against
another; and without proof, | cannot admit that
the assertion of the honorable Senator establishes
the fact. 1t is but opinion, and naked assertion
only The Senator complains that the means and
views of the abolitionists are not confined to the
securing the right of petition ony no, they resort
to other MEANS he affrms, to the BALLOT BOX
and if that fail, says the Senator, their next APP
peal will be to the bayonet. Sir, no man who is
an American in feeling and in heart, but ought to
repel this charge instantly, and without any reser-
walton whatever, that if they fail at the ballot box,
they will resort to the bayonet If such fratraci-
dial course should ever be thought of in our coun-
try, it will not be by those who seek redress of
wrongs, by exercising the right of petition, but by
those only who deny that right to others, and seek
to usurp the whole power of Government 1fthe
ballot box fail them, the bayonet may be their re.
sort, as mobs and violence now are. Does the
Senator believe that any portion of the honest
yeomanry of the country entertain such thoughts =?
| hope he does not. If Thoughts of this kind exist,
they are to be found in the hearts of asprants to
office, and their adherents, and none others. Who,
sir, is making this question political affair? Not
the petitioners. 1t was the slaveholding power
which first made this move. | have noticed for
for some time past that many of the public prints
in this city, well as elsewhere, have been filled
rights of freemen.
Both political parties, however, have courted
them in private and denounced them in public
and both have equally deceived them. And who
shall dare say that an Abolitionist has no right to
carry his principles to the ballot boz Who fears
the ballot boz? The honest in heart the lover of
our country and it's institutions? No, sir 1t is
feared by the tyrant; he who usurps power, and
seizes on the liberty of Others he, for one fears
the ballot box. Where is the slave to party in
this country, who is so lost to his own dignity, or
so corrupted by interest or power, that he does not
or will not, carry his principles and his judgment
into the ballot box Such an one ought to have
the mark of Cain in his forehead, and sent to la
Dor among the negro slaves of the South. The
honorable Senator seems anxious to take under
his the ballot box, as he has the slave system
of the country, and direct who shall or who shall
not use it for the redress of grievances Suppose
the power of the Executive chair should take I'M
der its care the right of voting, and should pro.
scribe any portion of our citizens who should car
ry with them to the polls of election their own
opinions, creeds, and doctrines. This would at
once be deathbow to our liberties, and the rem
edy could only be found in revolution. There can
| be no excuse pretext for revolution while the
ballot box is free. Our Government is not one of
force, but ofprinciple; its foundation rests on pub
lie opinion, and its hope is in the morality OF the
nation The moral power of that of the ballot box
is sufficient to correct all abuses. Let me, them
proclaim here, from this high arena to the citizens
not only of my own State, but to the country, to
all sects and parties who are entitled to the right
of suffrage. To the ballot box Carry with you
honestly your own sentiments respecting the well
fare of your country, and make them operate as
efectuay as you can, through that medium, up
on its policy and for its prosperity. Fear not the
trowns OF power 1t trembles while it denounces
you. The Senator complains that the Abolition
lists have associated with the politics of the coun
try 80 tar as am capable ofjudging, this charge
is not we'll founded; many politicians of the coun-
try have used Abotionists as stepping stones to
mount into power; and when there, have turned
about and traduced them. He admits that politi-
cal parties are willing to unite with them any class
of men, in order to carry their purposes. Are Alb
oitionists then, to blame if they pursue the same
course? 1t seems the Senator is willing that his
party should make use of even Abolitionsts; but
he is not willing that Abotonists should use the
same party for their purpose This seems not to
be in accordance with that equality of rights, about
which we heard so much at the last session. Abo-
litionists have nothing to fear. If public opinion
should be for them, politicians will be around and
amongst them as thick and noisy as the lucuss of
Egypt. The Senator seems to admit that, if the
Abotionists joined to either political party there
is danger-danger of what? That humanity and
justice will prevail that the right of petition will
be secured to ALL EQUALLY? and that the long-lost
and trodden African will be restored to their
natural rights? Would the Senator regret to see
this accomplished by argument, persuasion, and
the force of an enlightened public opinion l hope
not and these petitioners ask the use of no other
weapons in this warfare.
These ultra-abolitionists, says the Senator in {
woke the power of this Government to their aid.
And pray, sir, what should they invoke Have J
they not the same right to approach this Govern
ment as other men,? Is the Senator or this body '
authorized to deny them any privileges secured to S
other citizens? If so, let him show me the char
ter of his power, and will be silent. Until he q
can do this, shall uphold, justify, and sustain
them as do other citizens. The exercise of c
power by Congress in behalf of the slaves of this {
District, the Senator seems to think, no one with G
out the District has the least claim to ask for 1t
is because | reside without the District, and am
called within it by the Constitution, that object
to the existence of slavery here. | deny the gen
tleman's position, then, on this point. On this, q
then, we are equal The Senator, however, is at t
war with himself He contends, the object of the t