Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-08-07
VERMONT TELEGRAPH.
BRANDON, SATURDAY, AUGUST 8. 1889.


Abating an implied admission or two, in regard
10 Colonization, compensation, &C., the following
is a powerful article. The tincture of Colonial
tionism is not so much to be wondered at, in view
Of the time when the sentiments were uttered.-
The mask had not then been torn off from the
monster.
The article is particularly valuable, as showing
the views and sentiments entertained by inoividu-
ais, thirteen years ago. Then, it was no heresy to
maintain that American slavery is the worst sys-
ten Of oppression the sun ever saw, The reason
that no exceptions were taken to plain truths on
the subject, at that time, was, they were only the
oulburstings of individual hearts. There was no
organized action, with the avowed intent Of pro-
daeiIg reform. But as soon as combined efforts
are made, and il is proposed to do sometRing-as
soon as morality, philanthropy and religion are
made to assume practical bearings, the craft is
found to be in danger, and the senseless cry is made
to resound throughout the land.
PROF. BENEDICT VS.. SLAVERY.
Extract OF an Address delivered at Burlington on
the 4th Of July, 1926, by Professor q. w. BENE-
DICT, Of the University Of Vermont.
There is however, one evil, of such
terrific magnitude. which is so glaringly
inconsistent with the general principles of
our government, and has such perni-
ciouS influence and tendency, that we can
not pass it unnoticed. Humbling as the
fact is, it is but too true. that our constitu-
tions, having for their basis, the memora-
bic declaration: We hold these truths
to be self-evident, that all men are created
equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable rights
that among these, are life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness do in direct contra
vention to these fundamental principles,
authorize the bondage of human beings
guilty of no crime and place their hap
piness, their liberty, and their lives in the
power Of those who may coerce them at
will, with scarcely more restraint on their
conduct towards them than towards the
beasts OF the field. Who is there whose
warm blood docs not gush unanimously
through his bosom, as he this day thinks
OF his country's prosperity, and in mag
ination listens to the acclaim of nine mill
ions of freemen? Does it not ebb coldly
back to his heart, when he calls to mind
that their feet are on the necks of eight
cen hundred thousands of their fellow
beings2 Nay, if on this day consecrated
to freedom, they are not driven to the
field, it is because the petty tyrants who
are hired to exact their service, have laid
aside what are alike the instruments Of
torture and the ensigns of their authority,
to join in shouts and anthems to liberty.
We need not recount the steps by which
slavery was brought upon our hemis-
phere. 1t would however seem incredi-
bic to one not familiar with the fact, were
he Informed that in the most enlightened
age of the world such an evil took root,
and spread so widely,-an evil, if we con-
slider all its attendant aggravations, unpar-
alleled since human society began to ex-
ist. A child scarcely needs to be inform
ed that the slavery known among the
Jews, resembled that of our own times
only in name The Hebrew slaves were
protected from abuse to their persons no
disgrace was attached to their condition
they were treated as children and could
and often did, intermarry with the child
Zen OF their owners and even with their
owners themselves; nor could their servi.
tude exceed six years in duration. This,
instead OF being slavery as we know it,
was little but an honorable apprenticeship.
But let US 60 to the Greeks and Ro.
mans, who both, and especially the latter,
considered all men but themselves as bar
barlans, and made slaves of all whom
they could conquer Even with them the
situation of slave might be enviable
compared with that of our own. The
owner might indeed torture and put to
uealh his servant with impunity-yet a
son was no more protected. The freed
man, instead of forever bearing the un-
-atnlshed badge ofhis former degradation,
was Opep yns sssn TO nlaces Of hirh trust
and honor; and even the slave HIMSELF
because of his learning and wit, often re.
celved from the wise ald noble, an iatten-
tlon and regard which were not bestowed
upon his rude and uncultivaeed MASTER
Degrading to Christian nations as these
comparisons may seem TO be, more de
grading one can yet be made. Let j,
turn our eyes 10 those piratical nations, J,
long the objects of dread, hatred and alb
florence to the whole of Europe and "A
merica, the Barbary states. They to
esnsaye their captiyes. and buy and SCI
human beings as christians do, and tres
Them with servillty which they mantle:
POI 70 the dogs whose name they so ofte
apply to them. Yet let the most misers
DIE wretch that wears an Algerine fettel
confess a faith in Mohammed, and hi
master talks not Of his right to retail
Mnat ne bought; No matter how gre,
Inc price he paid for him, he cheerful
Knocks off his chains, clothes him as b