The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-11-02
VOLUNE Il Il.
7EIEIA WOIUN IB BIB 3 e DOM
For the Voice of Freedom.

In MS notes on I'M. L, III, MIR. Scott says
fMenstealers are inserted among these daring
criminals, against whom the law Tod directs It's
awful curses These menstealers were persons
who kidnapped men 10 sell them for slaves: and
this practice seems inseparable from the other in
equities and expressions of slavery; nor can a
Shareholder easily keep from this crminaIity, il
Sndeed, the receiver be as bad as the thief They
who make war for the nhuman purpose Of selling
African princes, are really men-StealerS. And they
who, like African traders, encourage their un-
christian traffic, by purchasing that which they
know, or have reason to suspect, to be thus I'M
justly acquired, are partakers in their crimes"
If these learned Commentators are correct as
undoubtedly they are, then kdnappers, and all,
VINO by wars or other violent measures reduce
their fellow men to slavery, are nacn-steazerS.
And African traders, and all who abet or encour-
age the Slave trade are accomplices, and in the
judgment of God as bad as the thief. On the
same principle, those governments and courts
and editors, who tolerate, countenance, or do any
thing to help the kidnapper, or slave trader in de-
tanning his stolen property, or in carrying their
purpose into effect, are really accomplices in their
crimes. They help the ungodly, counteract the
designs of Gods law, and encourage the trade in
mam-steazing. And however they may escape
punishment from men, God will not hold them
gutess.
Again, if the above sentiment be corret then
the Spaniards, WHO purchased Jinqua and his
companions, and put them on board the Amstad
were man-StealerS and pirates and as such they
ought to be treated and be held responsible to
the laws of God and man. When they purchas-
ed these Africans, they must have known, that
they were Ne1o Negroes, directly from Africa,
brought into Cuba in direct violation of the laws
Of Spain. And they purchased them, that they
might carry out the intention of the pirat-
zeal traders, and hold them in perptual sla-
very. They must be accomplces then with
the man-steazers and pirates, and should be seized
and treated as tc1ons. And if these Spaniards are
feons by the law OF God and man. then ALL who
take an active part to secure them from punish
nent, or to hold their victims and accomplish their
felonious purposes are aiders and abbettors Of
aaen-StealerS. They are all linked in one chain
of wickedness, partakers of the sin of kidnapping
and piracy. And all their subterfugcs will be
swept away by the light of eternity
Again, if kidnamers and African princess who
make war on their neighbors, that they may re-
duce them to slavery, are men-steaers, what are
those American planters, that purchase the stolen
men. and help the kidnapper and African princes
to carry out their wicked purpose? The parta-
ker is the one that holds out the reward to the
kidnapper, and encourage him 10 prosecute his
criminal trade. Which then is the greater sin,
mer?
Again, if it be crime against which the curse
Of God is denounced to kidnap free persons and
reduce them to slavery, what are the prospects of
those Shareholders, who not only hold the persons
which they purchased of kidnappersbut reduce by
violence. every child born of their slaves. As ma
ton We have declared that ALL MEN are born Free
and that this is a self evident truth. Every man
then, who holds child as slave, is ldnapper
as much so, as if he stole person in Boston and
sod him into slavery in Texas. And all laws
Imade to justify such theft are contrary to the {
Jaw of Cod violation of every principle of hui
manity, and subversive of those fundamental prin-
ciples, on which our civil constitutions are foun-
ded. And all churches and ministers who excuse,
1,ountenance or justify such laws or tolerate
sBlavehodng, are, according to the righteous
Judgment Of God partakers with man-sealers.
- O my soul with their assemblies be not thou
sptedw AN OLD MAN. t
1.-THE following comes from brother in whose
judgment we have great confidence I
For the Voice of Freedom.
C. L. KNAPP, Esq.