The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-08-24

was William Lloyd Garrison, who had done more
to effect 1t than all the other abolitionsts put to-
gether. Gentlemen nigh say that in this he was
inconsistent, but if they would have political ac-
ton, how could they be so scrupulous for consist
ency They wanted political action, did they not,
whether mans conscience approved it or no.
BY the amendment they would make man in
consistent. But for himself he could not think
that this was honestly urged.
The Chair here called Mr. Bradburn to order,
reminding him that no imputation on mems mo-
tives could be permitted.
Mr.. B. resumed. He did not consider Mr..
Garrison so inconsistent in this course as he was
represented to him. A man might influence a
Legislature at the same time that he could not
Conscientious vote to make a member of it.. He
might exhort men to do their duty at the polls,
though he could not go there himself and in fact
the non-resstants had been as effective in Massa-
chusetts as any other class Of the friends of ADOLF
ton Mr. B. did not think the great danger lay
in mems neglect to 60 to the polls-they were in
general ready enough to go to the polls bat the great
difficulty was to get them to act right when they
were there. Mr. B. entered his solemn protest
against the amendment. However much he was
in favor of political action land he always carried
1t out in his own person) he never would consent
to say to any man that it was his duty to trample
was the only hope of the world. There was just
as much consistency in exhorting politicians to be
true to their principles, as church members to be
true to theirs. They might as we'll exhort an abo-
tionst to join the church without speaking TO the
church about the duty of opposing slavery. He
would never join a church unless he could speak
to the church and tell them that it was their duty
to remember those that are in bonds as bound
with them. A carpenter must hew to the line
though the chips should fly in his own eyes, so
Mr. B. would speak truth TO the clergy, though in
so doing he nigh, hit himself He would say that
in resisting the abolition cause, the churches were
recreant to Christ and to humanity, but if the H.
600 Christian abolitionists would only do their
duty they might give slavery blow that would
send it to its grave,
| "A voice here cried but conscience won't let
them" The remark was followed by general
laugh Mr. B. concluded by repeating the sur
prise he felt that the subject should be presented
in such shape. He had hoped it would take
some form in which all would be united but it
seemed to have been ordained otherwise and they
must submit, however painful it might be-
Mr. Miller of Vermont said he had meant to
suggest a few considerations by way of caution
He did so for good reasons. If the convention
went on at this rate they would soon drive off from
them all the men, both in the ministry and out of
it who were opposed to carrying their abolitionism
to the ballot box. They would all be driven off.
Why the whole wing party, almost, were aboli
tionists: but the moment the word "politica' was
mentioned, they had seventeen hundred men on
foot who were ready with one voice to declare that
such thing as making abolition political mat
ter never should be permitted and they had the
mightiest man in the country to oppose it. Be-
Sides all the men in the country who were warm
ly opposed to slavery and expected to get offices
next year, if abolition was made political matter
would at once be against them. He had met Il
gentleman but the day before who said to him.
" Every pulsation of my heart beats for liberty,
but if you are going to make this political ques-
ton | must 90 against you" He had replied,
WE'LL if you will not vote in favor Of abolition what
are you going to do for the cause? To which the
gentleman had replied why am thinking about
it." Loud laughter. Then there was the great
Orator of the West-he had gone we'll for time,
till he heard that political action was conempla-
ted, then he had at once thrown himself into the
arms of slavery and kissed the very hem of her
garment.
When there had been disturbance at Utica
another great wing digntary who held high sta
ton in the State, said much about those who
were going to move politically. Now Mr. NJ. did
not object to political action when it was in his
own favor "a laugh If the Convention continue
ed to urge this measure they would so enrage the
community that the people would begin to find at
the ballot-box that they had conscience. The
eyes of not only few States, the eyes of the
whole Union were concentrated on this assem-
blage This "negro business " was in all their
hearts and on the action of this Convention The
future prospects of the country mainly rested. 1t
had been we'll said by the President in his open
ing remarks, that they were met for veal or for
woe. Mr.. nj. therefore exhorted them to move
with caution. And at the same time they should
act with irmness. When they were pulled by
the sleeves and persuaded to do nothing, that was
the time to resolve on firm and consistent course.
Mr. NJ said he should not have made these re-
marks had he not seen little breeze begin to
rise. He would ask how did an army conduct
in time Of war did they stop at the opening OF
an action to see that every mans jacket right
y buttoned and that he had pointed his toe with
exact military precision No: not at all; the main
anxiety was to do their duty bravely and let the
jackets and toes go as they might. He hoped
hey should not act like old Muckrake in the i'm
mortal tale of Bunyan, and be looking at sraws
when a crown of glory was suspended over their
heads, when an upright position and a bold hand
niuht reach and secure tho nrize ,et them dis