The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-06-01
friends on the border of Orange county, will, 1t is
boned honor the occasion with their attendance
For the Voice Of Freedom.
Rev. Mr.. McCree.


Brother Knapp-As am persuaded there are
hut few nersons who heard this gentleman lecture
IN Colonzation that know his real sentiments in
relation to the moral character of American Sla-
verv,-and as have good reason to know that the
impression received by many Colonizatlonlsts who
heard him was, not only that he abhorred pro-
slavervism'-but that he viewed Slavery to be al
great moral evil-a crying sin against God
wish to Law before the readers of the VOICE Wha'
Ikrow upon this subject, from the very best au-
thoritv, hoping that it may fall under the oDsef'
walton of some Colonizationsts, who would nave
been astounded and shocked to have hearu Nlr'
McCree declare in the course oil one oil MS lec-
lures in Montpelier that Slavery as 1t exists by
law in the U. S. is not SIM
And here let me declare that entertain no hos
tile feelings towards Mr.. McCree, but that speak
merely from sense of duty, nor should deem
it necessary to make this declaration, were it not
manifest to me that my friend, from some cause,
inclined to conceal his sentiments upon this sub
ject.
AT nv first interview with Mr. McCree (Which
was occasioned by conviction that some OF myI
Colonization friends Inexperienced him, in some
of his remarks and positions in his first lecture in
our Village) one of the many questions | asked
him, (he having given me full license to do so, as
suring me it would give him much pleasure to an
swer any and all l might be disposed to ask was,
IL Of ,oI
which he unhestatingly replied that it was NOT
sin, and quoted Scripture, both from the Old and
New Tcstaments to sustain that position. We
had much conversation upon this topic, and re-
ceived no other impression than that he consider
ed Slavery Divine institution, and stated 10 va
rious persons, that such were his views. On
meeting Mr.. McCree during his second visit to-
our Village, he expressed much regret that he had
been Inexperienced, and consequently misrepre-
scented upon this ubect; aud after some CONVEX
station, we agreed to meet at his room and review
the matter and endeavor perfectly to understand
each other. therefore reduced to writing some
eight OF ten interrogations, in such definite form
as would only require yea, or no, to give me
correct knowledge of his views. XIV.
The first of these questions was, whether or not,
he considered slavery, it exists in the U. S. by
law, To be. sin; and that might be clearly under
stood, read to him the two following clauses of
slave laws, and asked him if this was the true
character of slavery in all the slave States to
which he replied in the affirmative, viz:
A slave is one who is in the power of mas
Ter to whom he belongs. The master may sell
him, dispose Of his person, his industry, and his
labor lie can do nothing possess nothing, nor &C.
guire any thing, but ,chat mast belong to his mas
ter.-Louisiana Code.
Slaves shall be deemed, taken, repued and adj
judged in law to be chattels personal in the hands
of their owners and possessors, their executors,
administrators, and assigns, to all intcnts, con-
structions, and purposes whatsoever.-Laacs Of S.
Carolina, Stroud, p. %, %.
Here was sorry to see my friend eyince UNI
willingness to give definite answer, which for a
long time he entirely evaded, but as | could not
be satisfied with any thing short of full YEA or
NO, he finally declared unequivocally that slavery
is not sin!
And now, Brother Knapp, shall leave it for
YOU OF DTOllleT ACCTees OF some OlleT DrOlDer
more accustomed to splitting hairs than am to
shew in what, after all, the misapprehenson, or
misrepresentation consists, in this affair. But that
an institution, vast as is slavery-holding, and
sealing the destiny of unnumbered millions Of
creatures bearing the image of their Creator, must
have very distinct MORAL CHARACTER, is clear to
my mind and if it be not SINFUL, see not but it
must be HOLY, and as all holy institutions are Of
Divine origin, what according to my Brothers
creed, is American Slavery but Divine Institu-
ton {? ]" SEELy Agt w. A. S. S.
Randolph, May 80, 1889.
For the Voice of Freedom