The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-02-05
LETTER OF HON. WIN. SLADE.

The following manly letter from Mr. SLADE
appears in late number of the National Intelli.
gencer:
MEssRs Editors Il ask "A small space to no.
tice the communication Of Samuel M. Semmes
IN your paper OF this morning. am not going
INTO nm argument on the qu estion of slavery.
know. aud that,too, by extraordinary experience,
that an argu nent, if / were disposed to offer
one, could not find place in your pnper But
desire to dsabuse ''the abolition isis of the
Morrill," many of whom are MY immediate con-
stituents, OF most serious charge which Mr.
Semmes brings against them.
s. abhor (snys Mir S. as deeply rs any man,
the abolitonsts OF the North. Whilst they are
protesting the greatest sympathy for our slaves.
and invoking the wrath of Heaven on us for
holding them, they practice the most revolving
treatment toward the colored population around
Them
This charge against the nho.itlonis,s of Gro
voting reatiaent and oppression toward the
colored population around them," 1 meet with
an unqualified denial. There is not i'm it even II
shadow Of truth. On the contrary, the abo-
hlonlsts OF the Morrill," while they are endeav-
oring TO convince the South that slavery is
wrong and ought to be abandoned, are sedulous
aud untiring in their efforts to elevate and I'M
prove "the colored population around ,hem."---
This they endenvor 20 do Ivy laboring to remove
the cruel and crushing prejudice to which they
are subjected; by imparting to them moral and
religious instruction by aiding them to form a
Just estimate of the tr dignity of their nature ;
by mpressing them with the conviction that
they are MEN by intoxicating upon them the
duty OF temperance and industry by learning
them the value of education by teaching them
10 respect themselves rational, responsible be.
lngs and to deserve the rfsires, peateruf sub.
mission TO the laws, and steady resistance Of
the temptations 10 which their unhappy condi-
ton peculiarly exposes them
Such, sir is, VIGOROUSLY, the truth with regard
to the relation which &C the abolitionists of the
North" sustain toward the coored population
around them" So notorious is it, that il has be
come a standing reproach against them that they
are encouraging an amdlgdmation of the white
with the black race and the public mind is be.
labored with arguments to prove that the latter
can never be raised by them from their present
land, forever feel its crushing weight.
There is an injustice in the charge have
thus repealed, 200 fragrant to be passed in silence
But while repel it, take pleasure in express
ing my conviction that the respectable gentle
man who has made it is unconscious of its in
justice. ! am sure he has not taken the pains
to obtain accurate Information with regard to
the aboiuonsts of the North" for if be had
he would have become convinced that so far
from meritipg the charge of "revoltng treat
ment and oppression towards the colored popu-
laton,' and, by necessary consequence, of the
grossest Inconsistency and hypocrisy, they are
acting the part of the good Samaritan, bending,
in compassion, over the neglected and outcast
Africans among them, pouring oil into their
wounds, raising them in their heIplessness,
strengthening them in their weakness and thus
furnishing the only hope to them of enduring
and permanent good.
affix my name to this communication, sup
posing, from what observe in your remarks
introductory to Mr. Semmes' communication,
that you may otherwise decline its insertion.-
If you are willing to publish it anonymously,
you will please do so.
Respectfully, your o'bt servant,
WILLIAM SLADE.
Washington. Jan. T. IS;30