Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-04-24
VOL. X. NO. 81.

teemed il honorable; and neither ecclesias-
tics nor politicians thought Of making il
subServient TO their schemes Of popularity
or power. Blu; a change at length came ov-
er the aspect of things. The Colonization
Society, which had for several years monop-
oiized all the northern sympathy for the
slave, and b. its syren songs had lulled the
nation 10 death-like slumber on the subject
OF Emancipation, was now stripped Of ats
mask and shown to be worse than useIes,
as means of removing slavery
The public mind of Great Britain was
aroused in favor of Immediate Emancipa-
ton, and the great problem was demons;rat-
ed on the blackboard" OF the West In
dies, TO the entire satisfaction Of all candid
enquirers, and the truth Of the doctrines Of
abolition and the duty Of all TO unite in the
enterprise were so apparent, that none but
the Ignorant or wicked would venture TO
| call in question the one or oppose the other.
The violent opposition which the friends Ct
emancipation had to encounter only inspir-
ed them with greater zeal and devotedness
in the prosecution Of their work of reform,
and having truth, righteousness, humanity
and all the best sympathies of our nature
on their side, they succeeded rapidly in
gaining converts to their doctrine; and the
Anti-Slavery reform progressed with ra-
pidty greatly beyond the anticipations of
The most sanguine, and far surprising any
moral enterprise that had ever solicited the
attention of American benevoIence.
AbolitiOnists were no longer regarded as
UNIV orhy of notice; the opposition that had
assailed them, and which was proof thar
their growing strength was dreaded, was
now turned into hattery and their scheme
which so lately had been ridicuIed as vis-
onary and fanatical was now regarded as
desirable instrument for political and party
U purposes.
This change in the public feeling towards
the abolitionists has been the means of
bringing some into our ranks, whose sghse-
quent conduct has manifested that their mo-
lives were far different from those which ac-
uuated the pioneers in the cause. The lat
ter had been enabled to overleap all seciari-
an party Lines, and TO unite with each-other
in terms of the most entire confidence and
+: harmony, on one common ground of hu-
mainly: they had but one condition 10 their
). terms of commuhion-a deep conviction Of
the sinfulness Of slavery and but one test
Of their worthiness of memberships per-
severing application Of all the means, sane
toned by law, humanity and religion for its
immediate overthrow; leaving each individ-
ual 10 the free exercise Of his own j1dg-
ment and conscience, TO determine what
course was consistent for him 10 pursue in
accordance with bis views Of these obliga-
- lions. Whilst the former were constant
En ly in jealous anxiety lest the peculiar views
Us Of some of the prominent aboliiionists, on
ad subjects totally disconnected with our CON-
II; mon cause, should come in collision with
We their favorite creed. Ii is to be remarked
lth that The abolition enterprise neither origin
ef- ated with The clergy, nor has il as yet had
in their support; but, with few exceptions, Il
,ur has me; either their paralyzing neglect Of
es, their active opposition. One reason FOL
ilh their thus standing aloof from the enter
piiZe, is TO be found in the fact that il orig
in. mated with an individual then in obscur,
o,r life, who bad never received The honors o
,si. theological seminary nor even Of New
.;,h England College; but who had thoroughly
Investigated the whole system Of slavery
and having himself experienced somethin;
'' of the cruelty Of It's spirit, he was prepare
1' to sympathize with the crushed victims 9
Its power; and beholding the indifference
AN and apathy Of nearly the whole nation o
au the subject, he felt called upon 10 speak OF
me- in strong and startling language, in gres
the plainness of Tebuke, declaring the nonher
rest apologst TO be equally guilty with III
H. southern slaveholder, and censuring wit
xer- deserved severity those professed minister
,eri- of the Gospel who studiOusly avoid mako
ton any appeals in behalf OF The heaIhen Of OF
country, whilst they manifest great zeal Il
oR those Of all other landa.
line. Another reason why the clergy have
n of generally opposed the Anti Slavery eau
and Is, they had nearly all, Of every denonin
non 'lon' eo'niii'''eu themselves IN ia'Oi " !"
ed; Colonization Society. They had preach.
and taken up collections in its behalf; ar
g its many " 'ne'n n"O .'a.e "a go -
Tue denounced as an enemy TO the colored rae
great - 80, scba,oe. or nrof.xssd 49,.
n ar