The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-03-09
JOHN DOUGAL.
Letter of Mr.. BirneY.

NoRWALK, Conn, Feb. Is, 1899.
Dear Sir-My last letter gave you an account
of the meeting at Meriden. Thence | went to
Hartford Whilst there | learnt that Mr.. Cres-
son. the colonizationist, was at Springfield Mass,
and that he was expected in few days in Hart
ford. Our friends in the latter place were desi-
rous that the claims of colonization to be publicly
countcnanced should be discussed by him and my
self before the people of Hartford, They were
authorized to say, that | would give such aid as
could The offer was, as understand made to
him-but he thought proper to decline it.
From Hartford, went TO Litchfeld, on Satur-
the minister's to know whether he would aid in
getting up meeting to hear an address from me-
The impression made on me from his account of
things there, was, that the whole village, with but
rare exceptions, were totally averse to hearing
any thing in favor of emancipation. Litchfeld,
you will remember, for long time was distin-
guished for Law-School, which was attended by
many young hen from the south. Amongst them
was Mr.. Calhoun. 1t was mentioned to me ear
Iy, as one of the village memorabilia, that there
were some elm trees On certain street which this
gentleman set out with his own hands, whilst he
was studying law there,
On Monday proceeded to New-Milford, where
had engaged to attend meeting of the Ltch-
field County Society on Tuesday. The meeting
was accordingly held. The number of delegates
was considcrabe-and what was better, they all
seemed to possess intelligent views, and to be ac-
tuated by the most harmonious feelings. The i'm
portancc of acting at the "ballot box" if mistake
not was duly appreciated. A business meeting
was held in the morning, This was well atten-
ded. Another meeting was held in the afternoon.
The house was filed to, oyerfowing. Another,
IL, 1od
most respectful and attentive audience.
On Wednesday, left New Milford to attend
meeting of the Fairfield County Society, the next
day. did not arrive till some time in the after
noon. The business meeting had been held in
the morning. A considerable number Of persons
were in waiting for the afternoon meeting. The
bell was rung--the poop assembled in the hand
some Westinghouse at "Old Well" and listened
to an address of more than two hours. Another
meeting is to be held next month at Sratlord.
Unless | am greatly deceived, the people of
Connecticut generally, require only to be inform
ed calmly and dispassionatcly of our principles,
measures and objects, to go with us almost en-
maSSe They are beginning clearly to sce that
the shareholders, not content with holding their
coored slaves in bonds are fast reducing the free
states to the condition of conquered provnces.-I
They are not blind to the fact, that whilst the
south is crying out for the Union, and charging
the abolionists with aiming to destroy it. that the
Union it wants is one in which the North is tame
ly to submit to the indignities and degradation
which slavery cast on their free labor-to the de-
sructlon of the press-the slaughter of its defen-
ders-the subyersion of the right of petton-in
fine, to the handing over of the government to the
South, to be administered solely by slaveholding
politicians for the perpetuity of system which
the north hates, and which she has long since
with honest pride cast out from her own limits
This is the Union which shareholders value
this is the Union which shareholders are so clam
orcus to preserve, How has the honest, the con-
hding North heretofore been wheedled by the
slayeholding arisocracy! But it is to be hoped,
that the deluson in which they have been bound
IS passing away, not only from Connecticut but
from all the free states
Yours, g.,
JAMES G. BIRNEY.