The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-04-20
Derby, Feb. 10, 1899.


ing the invitation of the Executive Committee of the Vernon
AnSavey Society meet with them at the ensuing anniver
sary am constrained osay is consistent with other du
ties that should attend In compliance with the closing sug
geson your letter. send the following crude thoughts be
used not used by the Committee according their discretion
shall decide.
Our fellow citizens of the savehodng States claim that their
highly priced domestic institution Slavery, sanctioned and
confirmed and its continuance guaranteed by the constitution OF
the United States That the physical force of all the States
should occasion CALL may be ghfuy demanded and be
put forth for its security That attempt by Congress abol
sh in the District Of Columbia or Territory of Florida would
be violation of the constitutions and absove them the slave
holders, from all its obligations.
These doctrines important and require from every friend
of justly priced union immediate impartial and thorough
investigation If we find them based upon the foundation of
truth and sustained by the mmutabe principles right which
God has given the standard of faith and practice
must all opposition and yield them cordial and
efficient support But the contrary if we find the const
ton far from sanconng slavery and guaranteeing its pres
ervaion admits the horrid poue its fair
pages and scrupuousy whhods all expression of approval if
find only the admission of the fact of its existence and
single regulation the result of compromise, which originated in
that ac them the conclusion will be- that we have heretofore
been ignorant have entertained ideas the sub
ject Having made this discovery bound make
responding change of action.
The courtesy and orbearance toward fellow citizens of
the slave Saes brought into existence and sustained by
dent and unwaverng attachment the Union will far
us for read southern principles and consuc
ons of the constitution too often the offspring of cupdy and
love of domination In this have already gone
far for fhe claims of the south have opposed eecu
al opposition, because their allowance sacrifice of in
tereSt About the principles violated, put jeopardy
have made little enquiry aerng ourselves doubtless that those
who pro6ted by their nracon must take all the responsibility
tenderness for their feelings however, and much wisdom and
prudence prosecuting the proposed investigation
ry and must not for moment fail to be exhibited.
The stickers for the right of reducing their eowmen the
condition of working machines, things have not been
in the habit of anddy telling what part of the constitution
sustained their peensons but have dogmacay asserted that
it So and hereupon thrown the gage of battle to be lifted
by any who should dare gansay them They have
sometimes effect declared that though they have pen
y backberres they will not degn produce them This
has been rather amusing their thinking questioning
and reasoning adersaes of the North and productive of
drv Jokes upon southern chivary Still readiness has been
manifested do battle provided the tongue the pen and the
press should be the only weapons used The challenger how
ever much of hurry and is too chivarous to fight
in this tedious and prefers threaten and buster and pat
ronze Judge Lynch with his Jack Ketch and posse comaus
The has, therefore, hitherto been very much like the ia
battle between the and the COCK the former spending
huge efforts in vain attempt nuly his nimbe opponent by
dp of buttng while the latter wasted his skill and strength
and enanged his in mass OF wool IN his aborve at
tempts to reach a valuable part.
The southern argument however, if argument may be cal
led has been put forth by northern with southern
principles and appears be based upon certain clauses the
constitution and certain broad assumptions herewith ingenious
y Blended rcked out the flowers of rhetoric and appngs
of sophsy which render it, in their opinion at least both SYM
metrica and impregnabe He will examine these clauses of
the constitution in ORDER but leave the assumptions unless they
shall directly beset path, untouched They the follow
ing to wit
l. ART l. Sec 3D. Clause 3D. Representatives and direct
shall appooned among the several States which may be
included whnhs unon according their respective numbers
which shall be determined by adding the whole number of
free persons including those bound to service for term OF
years. and excluding Indians not taxed three hs of all other
persons"
2 ART. l. Sec, 8. Clause Sd. "To regulate commerce
with foreign nations and among the several Saes and with
the Indian tribes"
g. ART l. Sec g. Clause !. " The migration impora-
ton such persons any Of the States existing shall
think proper to admit shall be prohibited by the Congress
prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight
4. ART. l. Sec g. Clause A. Z" No capitatlon other
direct tax shall be laid unless in proportion the
enumeration herein before directed TO be taken"
S. ART A. Sec. g. Clause g. No person, held to SER
vice abour State under the laws thereof escaping IN
another SHALL consequence of any law regulation there
n be discharged from such service abour but shall be de-
vered claim Of the party whom such service or abou
may be due"
The second and third of the above quotations seem to have
very little if any bearing upon the southern doctrine They
simply authorize Congress, after the year lSOS prohibit all
traffic slaves both foreign and domestic That the favor
intended be granted by the former proved by the latter
which, operating exception general rule, thereby
ablishes it. The fourth quotation plainly refers the first
and provides specifically for its observance in the mposi
ton of direct By the first reminded of the exis
ence persons in the United State who were, Not
free - g Not bound to service for term of years.; and B.
Not Indians-not taxed"
Two and only classes of persons exactly embraced
in this curious description Those who have been condem-
ned to labor for life in expaon of their crimes Other
criminals ordered pay fine, and in consequence OF naoy
assigned service for term OF years. but until they snail
earn the which they have been required to pay In
stead of these classes of persons exactly described slaves
have hitherto generally universally been considered as