Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-09-06
JUDGE sHERMAN,s LETTER.

his attendance to the late Convention at AL
bany. We now lay before our readers an
answer published in the Emancipator and
written by its Editor The reasons OF the
committee for sending the invitation are
these stated -
The Commute knew that he was the lit.
rlaf president of the "Americun Union" a
society formed ostensibly "ior the elevation
Of the Afrifan race" but serving only as a
conscience,p l6s.js <, soolhe the wounds
made by abolition GROWS. They also
knew that he had been for many years the
favorite, faithful and well-fed advocate Of the
shareholders in all cases where the interests
OF their constitution became the subject oil
judicial cognizance They also knew that
he was the craftsman who prepared the cell
ebrated Canterbury law" as il is called, IN
der which Prudence Crandal suffered such
relentless persecution. But they also knew
that Mr. S. had labored assiduously 10 pro-
cure the repeal ofthat BLACK Act" while a
member OF the Assembly in 1898, and had
taken leading part in endcavoring TO OBJ
tain for coored citizens OF Connecticut
restoration ofther civil rights. 1t had also
been intmated to them, on what they sup
posed to be good authority that his views
respecting the safety and duty Of immediate
emancipation had underground great change,
and that in fact he was an abolitionist in
principle, although for reasons satisfactory
TO himself, he had not taken part in any or
ganized efforts for the advancement Of the
cause. One object kept in view in calling a
Convention instead OF special meeting Of
the Society, was TO afford TO just such per-
sons fair and open opportunity 10 come for
ward unirammelled, and propose their oica
plans for abolishing slavery. And had any
such men appeared in the convention, we
should have felt our confidence in that class
of persons. greatly enhanced
iAfter these remarks he proceeds 10 He Let
terl
The gentlemen 10 whom the letter was ad.
dressed did not see any thing in the letter it.
self so weighty or so new, as 10 call for spec
ial attention. There were no counseIs in it,
which abolitionists had not long since fully
weighed. and either fully Incorporated them
in their line Of proceedings or definitely re-.
jected them as inapplicable And as TO the
adventurous circumstances. of person, occa-
sion, &c, they carried but little force against
the plendry evidence afforded by the letter it.
self Of the writer's scanty acquaintance with
the facts, on which he ought TO have based
his opinions with regard 10 interests so mo-
mentous. Our remarks shall be confined 10
notice Of some of his erroneous views OF
the hcts IN the case
/. Judge Sherman assumes that il is nee
essary To procure the assent of The body Of
Shareholders in order 10 effect q change in
the laws OF the southern States. Whereas,
the consen, Of a majority Of the citizens OF
the iroe States would abolish slavery in the
District of Columbia, and place colored ci.
zens there on the same footing as in Yer.
mont; would abolish the slave trade among
the States, and thus apply ligature 10 the
system; would abolish slavery in Florida,
q thus hedge slavery against farther extern
sion; would acknowledge the independence
OF Haiti and open all our ports to her CON-
merce, and employ the power of the nation
IN protecting her citizens while peaceably
pursuing their lawful avocationS even in
Charleston itself And even in most OF the
slave States il is believed that majority of
the voters at his time are not shareholders,
but are held in subserviency 10 the iSiareo-
craey, by that mysterious charm, which
Shareholders know how TO use, but which
nbolltionisls are resolved TO break
2. Judge Sherman assumes that no pro
gress has been made foirardS the abolition of
slavery; whereas, we conceive that a dec.
ded advance has been made, the general con-
viction which now prevails Of the safety and
advantage of Immediate Emancipation. The
only objection which even his subtle mind
can put into the mouth of his client is, that
he uon't SCI his slaves free, because tho abo.
lltionlss call him manstealer! How lone
such plea as that will keep the southern
conscience quiet, let the sagacious Judge.
The clearing away Of the distractions is
great work, although it makes no show
towards the building. How much of "d,s.
position TO yield' a CROP does field mani
fest. when first the bushes are cut Oft
3. Judge Sherman assumes, what we
maintain 10 be "A libel even upon the BODY of
Shareholders, that they treat their slaves more
harshiy In consequence of the denuncialions
OF aboliionists. There may be some insola.
ted tacts looking that way, we admit for
nothing is too bad to believed ofthe fruits ofI
slavery But as TO the body of slaves. 1T
IL NOT TRUE, but on the contrary. their
indulgences were never so MANY AS ot his
moment. The discussions and disclosures
oil the aboitlonists have put the Shareholders
on then good behavior before the world and
they feel it, N"1
a. Judge sherman assumes that the dis. |
eussion oil gradual emancipation was once
habitual,and was suppressed in consequences |
oithe Anti-Slavery movements; neither oil
winch assumptions is correct The discuss.
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