The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-02-23

actlon OF every northern freeman.
JOHN L. RICHARDSON.
Burr Seminary, IT.
O-The following able article, from the pen Of
E. w. CHESTER, Esq editor ofthe Christian Joum-
al, new Presbyterian paper in the city of New
York, should be read and pondered by all who
imagine that the antislavery enterprise can be ma
terally affected by a two-hours' speech of Henry
Clay, the .a
Last champion of Expressions battle,
Lord of rice-tierce and cotton-bale,
| Of sugar-box and human cattle!' -s-.
Modern Abolition. arb.
These words are often borne to our ears They
usually come from those who profess to be opposed
to slavery. The expression implies in the object
or, that he is not opposed to Abolition but to mod
ern abolition. He evidently regards the abolition
of the present day as differing from the rightful
abolition principles of our fathers He intends to
censure this Innovation to call back the current of
feeling into its old channels, and res: in the safety
of precedent. On the part of Abotionsts it is
frequently urged that their principles are but the
principles of their fathers--that there is little diff
ference between the abolitionists of the past and
the present age.
| We think this an error, and not small one.
The abolitionism of our fathers consisted in o.
pinions mildly and prudently expressed, and which
spent their force in securing gradual emancipa-
ton in the northern States. 1t trusted to the Slow
but, as they conceived, operation of the prn-
cples of the revolution and of the Christian reli-
gion. Hence into no fierce collisions with inter-
est. 1t demanded no present sacrifices, and there
fore called up no bitter opponents. 1t made itself
forn,id Ila hrp avtapdo1 occoc;,t;o, ~.
ing up of pecunary MEANS and no welding of
the gigantic power of the press. 1t was gentle
mild, harmless. Is such the character of modern,
aboIitiOn? Let us examine it, for whether for
veal or for woe it is among us and increasing.
1t is unsafe to trust to what mere party politicians
may say of it. With them, as may best suit their
purpose, it will be either monster with claws to
tear up mountains and nav to engulph world,
or thing too puny to be contemplate. 1t would
be well for all men to silence their passions
and partialities long enough to consider its di-
mansions and leisurely to measure its power
number about 10000 members. But this is less
than moiety, scarcely a 1.-THE of their force. 1t
is but the organized, equipped, and disciplined
corps of veterans in the mindst of numerous mill
tia ready for effective organization, whenever the
pressure of circumstances shall call for some great
effort. They are united together in affiliated So
cieties by cord stronger than can be manufacture
ed by any legislative machinery-he cord Of vol
untary union in like principles of conscience and
action. And the members are acted upon, not by
principle of mere speculative theology or phi
losophy, but by the most vital effective principle
that can touch the human heart-the love of lit
erty, in itself both principle and passion And
this is purified and hallowed, and made potent by
conscious disinterestedness and philanthropy cher
I'D ell Il IL.
gion, the most moving power that ever acted up
on the human mind, brings to the cause its high
sanctions and its operative influence, preparing
men, whether mistaken or not, whether rightly
adjudged fanatics or rational phianthropists, yet
stimulating them to endure without hinchng
should need be, the rack and the faggot.
! And modern abolitlonsts are acting under no
temporary excitement or evenescent emotion.
They have looked at slavery in all its dark coors,
and bringing before their minds its most hideous
features, they have excited in their hearts against
it hatred unappeasable, and to be extingu;shed
only by death.
Under such feelings they have bound them
selves together in organized societies systemized
into one great whole. Such are their arrange.
ments that no portion of the country is free from
their minute observation, and every spot and ev-
cry resistance is liable to their concentrated force.
ana tnat most potent engine OF modern umeS,
the press, the newspaper press more powerful than
all the books and magazines that could be manu-
featured, has been put in requistion. Every
where its influence is felt. Its descriptions of
cruelty curde the blood, and its arguments in IA
vor of equal rights and personal liberty, resistess
in their nature go home with stirring effect both
to the understanding and the heart.
And money to carry on the cause--to do all that
money can dds poured into their treasury from
thousands of willing hands.
Now here is an army of numbers, and appoint
ments and means not to be trifed with. Their
mutual faith pledged-their zeal burning and a.
biding-religious fervour animating
lending its support-the power of the tongue and
the pen-the talismanc charm of liberty-the con-
seriousness, real or fancied of superiority in the
argument and eloquent appeal-the cheering ap-
proval of distant nations-the glory through time
and even beyond its confines, Of accomplishing the
disenthralment of the millions in bondage--these
are the elements which make modern abolition to
differ from that of our fathers. 1t differs, too in
the intensity of the interest created by stern de-
mand to proclaim freedom nor, instead of promis-
ing it for the distant future.
Such is the abolitionism among us. Spread
these facts before the recluse in his cell, who has