The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-12-21

, hearts and interests OF the people, to awaken {
public sentiment throughout the noton"-"it Uht
association shall aim to convince all our fellow
citizens, by arguments addressed to their under
r standings and consciences," &c.-"we owe it tC
the oppressed" &c-"to do all that is lawfully
within our power to bring about the extinction 0
slavery, and You seem to think that ever,
thing that can be dono in virtue of them is incu
ded in the following specifications found in the
" Declaration" I've ShMl organize Amti-S1are
ry Societies. forth agents 10 H6 mp the r0ict
Of ren'on&rance Of acaraing, Of entrcaty and re-
buhe-circul2te tracts and per5odicals-culia Me
pulpit and the preSs-aim al the pWrifcation OF
the churcheS and encourage the labor Of free.
men.
Now the specifications include all that abo-
Iitioniss in their associated capacity can constitu-
tonally do, where is our authority for sending
out Financial" agents, and raising money-for
printing other books than tracts and periodicals
for sending two gentlemen 10 the West Indies TO
explore The state of things therefor sending a
delegation to attend the Convention 10 be held in
London next June-or for appealing to the Sin
erests," the pecuni0ry interests of the slavehol-
ders and those connected with them? The Speci-
fcationS contained nothing of this sort But
you reply, these things are undeniably, if not
pal pably accessory to the furherance of the cause
| grant you, they are. But how can you adopt
them? They are not included in the specica-
tons the specifications contain, according
to your view, a full enumeration of all the powers
exercised under the constitution.
Now, | say that the specifications, as far as
they go, are consistent with the constitution, but
that they never were intended as fall enumera-
ton of constitutional powers-They are but mere
examples. If they were rot, where was the me-
of add 81 ol>o1l
no erertions nor means TO bring the whole nation
10 speedy repcntancen This is not surplusage
it is intended for some object. Doubtless, to
cover such action as was not then forseen 10 be
necessary TO the cause, and (which, Of course,
could not be provided for-but which might in
the vcissitudes of our national affairs become al
together essential to its success Under the
pledge contained in the constitution that we will
do "al that is lawfully within our power" &C.
we have done many things not incompatible Il
grant with what is specified. These things
have been done, because they were capedicnt for
the advancement of The cause Now, The fcrma-
ton of a third party may also become expedent
for the same object-and if it is not forbidden by
the laws OF the country, and not at variance with
any provision of the constitution, or with any Of
the specifications of the Declaration, Should you
choose to consider that document o5ligatorv,)
where is the sufficient reason for not adopting the
third party mode of political action if it really be
more effective than the two party-sysem which
has already so often failed us? If that should be
thought the best mode of action for the extinction
Of slavery, we stand pledged 10 adopt it, because
it is "lawfuIly in our power''-there being moth
ing in the laws of the country or Of the Society,
lorbiddng it.
If your constitution be right, abolilionistS can
not, in any future time, vote for the candidate of
third party without change in the constitution.
Let US take case them 10 show how this would
lie right in the way opposing the extinction of
slavery. We will suppose there are 39,001 votes
in this city and county-that $4,000 of them are
whgs-13,000 democrats-and 10000 of third
or anti-slavery party. Thus they vote and are ii
ed, whilst you have the last and deciding vote
Suppose You were to vote for one Of the two old
parties or refuse TO vote at all-and shonld be
asked for the reason of your course. Where
in the Constitution or the Declaration can You
find any thing forbidding you TO vote for third
party-whilst you might be told, it was as claw
fully in your power" to vote for third party as
Tor the first or second.
1t strikes me that the proceedings al Albany in
relation TO tits subject, initiate strongly a5ains
your constitution
In none of the arguments there used against
the formation Of distinct party, was the consti-
tutionality of such measure objected 10 or even
limited at. Mr.. Lorine, whose views deservedy
had great influence with the Convention, whilst
earnestly deprecating the formation of a third
party, did not once alIude to it-but warmly en-
treated whatever might be done in this matter, at
a future time, that it might be delayed for the
present, 1t is hardly to be supposed, if the in
sttution of third party is so plainly unconsti-
tutiona as it now seems to you, that so impor-
tant point would have been overlooked, on that
occasion, by the skilful and discriminating men,
yourself among them) who were and are still OPP
posed TO the measure and that the following
preamble and resolution would have passed with
out any serious opposition.
Whereas, the subject of nominating distinct
Ant-Slavery candidates for Offices in the gift Of
he people has been presented to this Convention,
therefore
Resolved That it be recommended 10 Adolf
ionists to adopt such course in their respective
sections of the country, as will, in their judgment,
pest subserve the cause of immediate emancipa-
ion.''
To this compromise, for it was strictly such, {
between the advocates and opponents of third r
)arty. the whole question is treated one of eX-
,ediency In some sections of the country, nom /
natinp distinct anti-Slayerv candidates might best c