The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-06-08
For the Voice of Freedom.
To Rev. Mr.. McCree:

from you few evenings since at Waterbury, on
the subject of Colonization. now sit down in
order to write few thoughts on that performance.
have no fears that you will make converts to
your scheme in New-England, for the people here
nave too much information and good sense, to be
deceived by any such statements as YOU made at
that time. But you, sir, appear to need little
information, and we Yankees esteem it quite n
luxury to inform our friends on any important SUBJ
ject when they are deficient
Permit me then, to mention few things, out
of many, in which the truth was not known, or at
least, was not spoken by you.
You said, The South regard slavery as po-
litical and moral evil" You surely did intend to
make us believe, that with few exceptions, this is
the estimate of slavery there. But apprehend
the exceptions constitute large majority in the
Such. In proofI might refer you to the book, of
Re0. James Smiley, of Mississippi, written in favor
Of Slavery, and that protessedly! Does that man
stand almost alone in his views9 | would also ask
you to look at the stand taken by southern men at
the last General Conference of the M. E. Church
sanction that evil!
Next, look into the Journal of the Georgia An
nual Conference of the same Church for 1897
There grave body of ministers resolve IMAM
imously, that Slacery as it EXISTS in these United
States, is not a moral euu." The South Carolina
Conference did the same in effect though not in
as plain words 1t employed Rev. Mr.. Dunwad-
dy to preach sermon slavery at its session, IN
which he contended that slavery is right, and no
moral erI And the Conference so far from be-
ing displeased, ordered it printed
Now, I do not believe those men, and bodies Of
men. are behind their own communities in estimat-
ing slavery. have named them because am
member of the M. E. Church, and am therefore
better acquainted with the views and proceedings
of men in that communion, than with others.
And because am quite willing these should be
held up to the gaze of the world, | really Won
der at your want of information, for would much
rather attribute your want of accuracy to ignor.
ance than to design.
Another statement which you made was equally
distant from the truth with the former viz: THAT
the South desires to getrid of slavery, and looks
to Colonization as door of hope" That "pro-
ola very, men in the South Oppose that scheme"
Now, sir, have facts to oppose to your assertion.
would ask you first to remember that Henry Clay.
when Secretary of State, instructed our minister
to the Court of ST. James, to negotiate for the de-
livery of such human property as hadcolonized in
do Ito itcf ISo at
body, not long since, in Congress, wished to make
a demand on the President for information on that
point whether Britain was about to do that work
Did they want to get rid of their slaves? Read
the famous speech of Mr. Clay delivered in the
Senate last winter against abolition, and you
will find him opposed to any system of emancipa-
ton whether gradual or Immediate And this
same pro-slarery Clay is President of your socie-
|ty! Did he offend your Colonizationists by that
speech No he received their caresses and APP
probation. How anxious to get clear of slavery,
Who would have thought it?
| would next ask you, Rev. Mr.. McCree why
such numerous and large rewards are offered for
the returning or securing, dead or aliUe, OF slaves
to 90, " with their own consent" to Canada If
men at the South are anxious 10 make them free,
why do they at the same time offer rewards to
prevent it? Why are men employed by South
ern philanthropists, to kidnap the poor and de-
(enceess, and carry them 10 the Southern prison.
house, if they want to get rid of them! Why
was requisition made upon Ohio for the passage
of severe laws, which should prevent fugitive
slaves from passing through that state to the land
of British freedom? And which should punish
with severity any who should befriend the fugitive
Here, sir, are facts, which hope you will re-
member when you stand up to address the reading
people of New-England. But will not impugn
your motives You probably did not know that
the things | have named were ever done. We
look upon such assertions as an insult to our I'm.
dersandings, and poor compliment to your own,
took down at the time, dozen more asser-
tons Of yours equally distant from the truth, but
| shall pass them all by, except one, which show.
IL 81 hat