The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-06-22
Letter from j. HoIcomb.

your paper OF the 2Oth INST. a sketch from the
Herald Of Freedom touching Lieutenant Govern
or Camps A. S. address. Now sir, am not of
the class termed legal neither do | profess to-
understand looking back to find what people Mot
or meant, when they signed a solemn compact or
years ago that the Constitution ofthe United States
sanctioned slavery, and that it would be unconsti-
tutional to do it away. Why? Because people
Of influence told me so.
That the Constitution Of the United States
sanctions the kidnapping Of a citizen of this re-
public or OF any nation with which we are at
peace, is very much doubted by me. | know there
is talk of persons who are held to service-of
their being returned TO their masters on being
proved as actually belonging to the claimant, or
of owing him service, &c. But how comes this
service due What has the fugitive done that
he should forfeit the service of whole life 3
Does the Constitution say that because child has
a colored mother who has been robbed of her
rights both natural and moral, it has been guilty
of crime? No. Does that child in becoming a
man, violating at no time, laws passed in accord
ance with the Constitution of the United States,
grow guilty as he advances in life! No. Where
then is the Constitutional federation of American
slavery? say it is no where to be found. tits
nothing but usage and common fame that an
cient, notable pair, the desroyers Of human hap
pness and subverers of Bible principles, which
have for centuries gone about like roaring lion
seeking whom they might devour,' that have
taught this doctrine. | believe that should
slave escape from the clutches of his pretended
maser-come into this State-be taken on claim
Of said master-proof should be adduced to show
the fugitive to be slave of said claimant accord.
ing to the laws of the State from which he fed
Judgment be rendered accordingly, and the case be
lod ohod TdicI nj
b1nal in the United States; that individual must
be declared innocent according to the letter Of the
Constitution of the United States. Should the
plaintiff plead that the laws Of this State created
him the owner of defendant, | think the Judge
(unesa he was slaveholder) must say, the Con-
aitution of the United States knows nothing of
rob6ery-it recognizes no right in you 10 own the
service of your fellow being for life against his
consent depart from me We worker of inqui-
ly,' am aware that this sentiment is at variance
with the opinions OF large ma ority Of Abolition
lists and of others also in the Northern States. l
think can readily account for it. People have
been in the habit oflooking up to others as guides,
instead of examining principles and facts. Here
is the danger. The more people read and exatn-
inc for themselves, the better enabled will they be
to form correct opinions And believe the time
is not far distant, when many, Gerry many, will
look back and wonder that they had so often taken
usage and common fame, for matter of fact. But
will dwell no longer at this time on that subject,
leaving it to those more versed in constitutions
laws-and their true foundations.
| have noticed that some Editors are taking adj
vantage of the misunderstanding of delegates at
our last anniversary on one or two questions
The principle on which ladies were considered
members of convention, seems to be as prominent
as any one, am fully convinced that there was
l;+ 4 |.
ton among those present believe some thought
that should the fair be admitted to vote in that
assembly, ii would be understood as the voice of
the American A, s. Society, that they We're
proper persons to vote in all places and Oh all oc-
casions. | did not so understand it, did not
consider that question as at all tested, / receiv-
ed it as question ofright according to the Const-
tuition of the American A. S. Society and moth
ing more. AS to the Astounding love of many
Editors and Ministers--laymen and other pious
men who feel such great sympathy for the ensav-
ed-who hate slavery in the abstract and the doc
trine OF immediate emancipation in the concrete,
Especially while Mr.. Garrison is i'll the ranks)
would ask what is that love good for? If | see
neighbpr who is in need of my aid in raising a
house or barn~--I profess it my duty to aid him
go until get in sight of the frame and there be-
hold man who is an excellent hand at raising,
but is a skeptic or in6del, or a close communion
Baptist or believer in infant sprnking, or Uni
versaist, at once became horror struck, and tell
the owner feel great sympathy for him-l know
it is my duty to aid him-that he cannot raise his
building alone, but | cannot lift unless he will
turn off the object OF my dislike, He replies
g the man you dislike is a first rate hand TO raise
and we don't know how to dispense with his SER
you need not embrace his sentiments
Or religion by helping me raise my house want
you both but cannot turn him off for the purpose
Of getting your aid, If you feel ityour duty to
help me | should like it, but want him TOO" l
urn away in disgust at his eOnam~Rion lWhlle rais-
ing his framel with the other ,E
While conversing with some ministers and 9TH
sr men on this subject they will ackn99wedgee
immediate emancipation to be correct. | would
,sk them then to preach and h0IQ forth that doc
rine publicly. All If you will turn Mr. Gar
ison out of your ranks, we will go with YOU
But until then You must do your own work. Our
,oweIs of compassion yeam over the slave but
Garrison is a dangerous man. must confess, sir,
hat have of late been led to doubt the honesty
{ some such professors. .-