The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-03-30

not as comfortable and convenient place for the
deliberations of Congress, and the comfort of our
citizens who may visit it, while slavery exists here,
as it would be without slavery, then slavery ought
to be abolished; and trust we shall have the dis
tinguished Senator from Kentucky to aid us in
this great national reformation take the Sen
ator at his word Iagree with him that this ought
to be such place as he has described but deny
that it is So And upon what facts do rest my
denial9 We are a christian nation, a moral and
religious people. | speak for the free States, at
least for my own State and what a contrast do
the very streets of your capital daily present to the
Christianity and morality of the nation A race
of Slaves or at least coored persons of every hue,
from the jet black African, in regular graduation,
up to the almost pure Anglo Saxon color Dur
ing the short time official duty has called me here,
have seen the really red haired the freckled, and
the almost white negro; and have been aston
ished at the numbers of the mixed race, when
compared with those of full color, and have deep
y deplored this stain upon our national morals !;
and the words of DR.. Charming have, thousands
of times, been impressed on my mind, that slave
country reeks with Righteousness How comes
this amalgamation of the races 1t comes from
slavery 1t is disagreeble annoyance to persons
who come from the free States, especially to their
christian and moral feelings. 1t is a great him
drance to the proper discharge of their duties while
here. Remove slavery from this District, and
this evil will disappear, We argue this circum-
stance alone sufficient cause to produce that eff
feet But slavery presents within the District 9TH
er and still more appalling scenes-scenes well
calculated to awaken the deepest emotions Of the
human heart. The slave trade exists here in all
its HORRORS, and unwhipped of all its crimes. In
view of the very chair which you now occupy, Mr..
&c b,,;l 4
not prevent it, you could see the prison, the pen
the HI, where human beings, when purchased
for sale, kept until cargo can be procured for
transportation to a Southern or foreign market;
for have little doubt slaves are carried to Texas
for sale, though do not know the fact,
Sir, since Congress has been in session, mourn
full group of these unhappy beings, some thirty or
forty, were marching as in dersion of members
of Congress, in view of your Capitol chained and
manacled together in open daylight, yes, in the
very face of heaven ITSELF to be shipped at Balti
more for foreign market l did not witness this
cruel transaction, but speak from what have heard
and believe Is this District, then, fit place for
our deliberations, whose feelings are outraged with
impunity with transactions like this Suppose,
sir that mournful and degrading spectacle was al
this moment exhibited under the windows of our
chamber do you think the Senate could deliber-
ate, could continue with that composure and at
tention which see around me? No. sir all your
powers could not preserve order for moment.
The feelings of humanity would overcome those
of regard for the peculiar institutions of the States
and though we would be politically and legally
bound not to interfere, we are not morally bound
to withhold our sympathy, and our execration in
such inhuman traffic. This traffic
alone, in this District, renders it uncomfortable
inf rlo for IF Sir
it is but one or two years since saw standing at
the railroad depot as passed from my boarding
house to this chamber, some large wagons and
teams, as if waiting for freight; the cars had
not then arrived. was inquired of, when re-
turned to my lodgings, by my andlady, if knew
the object of those wagons which saw in the
morning. replied, did not; | suppose they
came and were waiting for loading. Yes, for
slaves said she and one of those wagons were
filed with little boys and little girls, who had been
bought up through the country, and were to be
taken to a Southern market All, sir continued
she, it makes my very heart ache to see them
The very recital unnerved and untitled me for
thought or reflection on any other subject for some
time. 1t Is scenes like this of which ladies of my
country and my State complained in their petit
lions, some time since, as rendering this District
unpleasant, should they wish to visit the capital of
ne hallon, as wives, SISTERS daughters, or lrendS
Of members of Congress. Yet, sir these respect
able females were treated with contemptuous sneers
hey were compared on this floor to the fsh-wo-
men of Paris who dipped their fingers in the blood
If revolutionary France. Sir if the transaction
n slaves here which | have mentioned, could
make such impression on the heart of lady, a
esident of the District, one who had been used
o slaves, and was probably an owner, what would
We the feelings of ladies from free States on be-
holding like transaction will leave every
gentleman and every lady to answer for themselves.
am unable to describe it. Shall the capital of
'our country longer exhibit scenes revolving to
that the ladies of your country cannot {
sit it without disgust? No; wipe off the foul '
tain, and let it become suitable and comfortable
lace for the seat of Government. The Senator, t
s if conscious that his argument on this point had
roved too much, and Of course had proved the a
onverse of what he wished to establish, conclu- S
ed this part, by saying, that if slavery is abolish
d, the act ought to be confined to the city alone.
Ne thank him for this small sprinkling of correct
pinion upon this arid waste of public feeling. q
liberty may yet vegetate and grow even here /
The Senator insists that the States of Virginia
nd Maryland would never have coded this Dis O
ric If they had thought slavery would ever have Il
cen abolished in it. This is an old story twice e