The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-12-28


n tiles of an efficient, productive, Well4govened com
munity, qualified to collect from its rich soil, anc
noble rivers, by the vigorous action flhe muscles
of reemen, the articles of merchandise needed II
/, any market and which can be prodHced in any
d part of the world by slave labor. Here, too, vol
u see, is the project Of bringing free labor to com
pete with slave labor and Of connecting with the
tribute of commerce, laid upon tine soil and the
, water falls of the country, the accompanying estab
lishment of Christian institutions. And this also
is a project which strikes deep into the hearts o
good men, and will secure their prayers and CO.
operation. know not the details of this noble
and phiIanthropic movement But its pro ectorS
and ADVOCATES are men Unknown wisdom, and tai
ents, and wealth and pety, and extended infu
ence, integrity and perseverance. Nor have
the least doubt of their success Morse far as see
Of their devisingS, should hesitate 10 give my
full and hearty cooperation. And indeed hope
to see many ofn1y youthful associates in the anti
slavery ranks, warmly enlisted with these wise
men in their operations against the common enc
my.
You perceive now that in these departments oil
labor, the British Anti-Savery public have enough
to fill their hearts and their hands, and there is a
wonderful harmony in this seeming discord. Each,
in pressing forward its own favorite project, does
Of course mpart a favorable impulse 10 the other.
The din of war upon either wall, carries TO the
heart of slavery the conviction that the aSsaiantS
are in earnest; and the ringing of the battle-aye
on either gate is harsh thunder, and the rumbline
of the earthquake, and the roaring of artillery in
its ears. In the one or the other you will find
the whole British anti-slavery public engaged, and
all, doubt not, prepared to re olce al success, at
whatever point it is gained and all too, | ain
happy 10 believe, anxious 10 cheer on American
Abotonists in the work which they have COM
menced.
My brother, our world presents very wonder
! full aspect | am more and more as!ounded as /
witness progressive developments, and feel more
deeply than ever, that but for the oath Of
God that this earthzsha be Christs we must all
lie down in despair. TO what an extent the spir-
it of despotsm is entrenched in the hearts of men,
How strongly do they love darkness. How we'd
ded to the way which leads to death!
At this very hour, in the wake of ali the noble
victories which phianthropists have achieved, the
accused slave trade is actually maintained with
wider sway than ever, and with increased afro
cities But let nota short sighted philosophy or an
nfde Christianity publish il commentary upon
this fact. 1t is not nexpllcable. Nor can you
get from it, legitmately, a single reason for sus-
pension of labor or the diminu,ion Of ZEAL Orr
under the bright and broad light of the promise of
God. and to press on in our work.
Every thing which has yet appeared is neces-
sary for our Discipline. III no other way than by
developments 50 appalling, could the Christian
enemy TO be vanquiShed! In no other way could
the man of prayer be thrown on his face before
the mercy seat to remain there, in groans and
tears and in wrestlings. In no other way could
even the men and women, the most hearty
in the cause, be made willing to merge all minor
points, that there may be un5On, the long and
The strong pull" the convusive heave Of every f.
bre and muscle, the concentration of every inlu
ence at The one point
The abolition of slavery is not to be effected by
the powess of any one nation. The Iobors OF
English phiIanthropists, are, indeed, above all
praise. The decisions of the British Parliament
on this subject have imposed debt of gratitude
upon the world, pagan and civilized. But if her
decisions had been followed by uninterrupted sue
cess, if every slave ship had knocked off her
keel, and the horrors of the middle passage ccas
ed, and the result heralded as a complete triumph,
it would have lued to sleep the reused energies
OF British an-slavery men, and left the oihcr|
portions of Christendom both unenlightened and
unmoved upon the atrocities OF the slave system
and slavery itself would have chucKleu al inc at
Temps of single nation to- secure its overthrow.
But as it is, British philanthropists have found no
place yet for pause. The work has grown upon
their hands. As they have let in the light upon
the dark chambers of oppression, the disclosures
have become more and more distressing. When
they have struck the British flag from the slave
ship, she has sailed under other colors. When
driven from one harbor or bay she has sought ref
uge in another. And when afraid 10 carry, as
upon the high seas, thesbodies and
souls of men, under the flag Of despot she has
lifted up the striped and star-span2led flag of
Christian republic and the result is, that now,
more human beings are bought and sold and
more are actually sacrificed in the traffic than at
any former period. And thus the attention OF
lnii-slavcry men has been kept wakeful and their
energies perpeually drawn out, and they have
been excited to collect testimony, and to call aresh
upor the government, and TO pour out their ap- {
peal upon the ear of Christendom-and even TO I
lnounce Conference Of Nations TO sit in London.
June, 1910. Now, it is no longer the struggle Of {
single nation and the facts respecting slavery 7
nave become widely circulated, and the grave dis {
,ussion of its character is maintained with rap
dIy extending interest, and the yrant sees the as
,aiants preparing for, and coming up to the con-