The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-12-07
correspondence ON Slavery.

In tbe month Of December, 1885, letter was
addressed by the General Conference of churches
in Maine, through committee appointed for the
purpose, to Rev. Henry Reed, OF Columbus, Mis-
sissppi, with the request that he would communi-
cate it to the Presbyery of Tombechee. This
was accordingly done by Mr.. Reed, and an an
swer returned by the Presbytery, entering brief
ly into the scriptural argument in behalf of the in
stitution, and requesting that it should be pub.
lfhed. The General Conference, in their meet
ing, June, 1889, voted to publish the same togeth
er with an examination of it. The committee pre-
pared document which enters kindly and fully
into the whole subject and the whole correspon-
dence is now published in the Christian Mirror,
and occupies nearly eighteen columns of that pa
per-. we should like to republish it all. were it
not for its great length. The letter from the Tom
bechee Presbytery we shall publish next week, as
our readers will undoubtedly have some curiosity
to see what a southern presbytery at this day
have to say upon this important to.ic. The fol.
lowing are the concluding remarks of the COM
mitsee, in reply to the letter Of the Presbytery.
CONCLUSION.
Dear brethren, we must close. We again thank
you sincerely for having declared to us your opin-
iots in regard to this momentolls sube so fully,
and for having requested us to publish them, to-
W
should bring Others to embrace them. We have
done it, and Aope you will deal as fairly with us.
We, as in duty bound, have answered you, on ev-
cry point plainly; but, trust in the exercise of
entirely good feelings. On the fundamental ques-
ton, whether American slaveholding is morally
right and warranted by divine authority, we have
been directly at variance; norris there any room
for compromise. We cannot, however, but hope
thatpn candid consideration of our arguments,
and others, which on the same side may suggest
themselves to your minds, you will see that Truth
is on our part and henceforth unite your influ-
ence with ours in behalf of all who are groaning
under unrighteous oppression. At all events, our
arguments on both side, being now before the
public, we must leave others to form their own
opinions OF the accuracy and conclusveness with
which we have reasoned. Nor is the question
in debate one of mers speculative interest: ques-
ton which may be deeklcd either waV without
affecting human rights and happiness; but one on
whose determination, by the general voice Of man
kind, the most valued interests Of millions Of our
race must, not only now, but in every coming
age depend. Most ofthe questions ofright and
honor which have been contested among the ma
tions, and beeu settled on fields of battle drench.
ed in blood, have been trivial indeed in comparis-
on with this.
If you have reasoned rightly, Shareholders, not
only in this country, but everywhere on earth,
may still hold fast their human cbatles and BY
their unrequited TOLL their natural increase. and
ganfu trade in their living bodies and souls, con-
time to enrich themselves. The system may
rightfully be extended as fast and as far as the
stronger nations and tribes of the earth shall deem
it for their interest 10 subdue and break under the
yoke of bondage, the weaker; for it was by cou-
quest and violence that the great system of Ro-
man and American slavery, which you have so
Strenuously advocated, were introduced. Nay,
more: if ever, in the revolutions of coming ages,
this Union should be dissolved, and the amalga-
mated race in the savehodng states, being more
numerous and strong than their masters, and PAN
ting for liberty, should not only assert their RICH,
10 independence; and. believing the doctrine,
which has recently been advocated in Congress
with so much applause, to be sound, that both ra-
ces cannot be free, that one must be enslaved :
should think it right to love their own be,t. as the
distinguished advocate Of that doctrine does his
and consequently should transfer the yoke of sa.
very from their own to the necks Of the other race;
IN such an exigency, which may Heaven avert
every argument which you have adluced in de-
fence of your savehoding, might be used By them
with equal proprety, in defence of theirs they
might declare that, having slaves they were authori
az" rot Wy laws VI lll Ctlanp
ed, but By the holy scriptures also, to hold them
and refer your broken-hearted, cpushed grooming
and shamed posterty to this very communication
of yours on which we have been Mountaineering.
to establish the truth of the declaration! Nor do |
we see how your posterity would be able to re.
flute the arrogancy Of their pretensons but in the
use OF some such arguments as we have employ
ed against yours o, sirs, the doctrines Of slave
holders are fearfully dangerous doctrines. Fiji
be true that one part humankind have a right to
enslaVe another, for no other cause than that they
have power and choose to use it, there never car
he any general and ss'tled peace among the ma,
IONS; the kingdom of Christ as fore.old BY the
prophets, can never come; but hatred, wrath, sc.
ttions, wars and cruel expressions, must for ev.
eT agi'ate, distress, and curse mankind
But it. on the other hand, the princiT9s which
vs. have advocated are right, and if they should
generally bo received and reduce to practiccd no
only must slavery with all its multiplied nbomin
atoms cease, but all sorts of oppression and njus
ice, now prevalent on earth, be succeeded By
such impartial equity, Christian benevoence, and
fraterna! kindness and con6dcnce that this will