The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-02-09
THE VOICE OF FREED

the WINDS, because am not IN favor OF immediate
abolition every where There is one of their pub
lie prints e. The Friend of Man" think it is call
cay which contains long argument to prove that
have done more wrong to the cause of abolition
by stopping short Of " immedatsm," as they term
it, than all the gentlemen from the Southern por-
ton OF the Union together.
| Mr. Thompson, Of South Carolina, here rose,
and said: These, sir, are important and interest
ing declarations; and as the honorable gentleman
has sought this occasion of stating his true opin-
ions upon the subject of abolition, Mr. T. supposed
that he desired to keep nothing back He (Mr. T. J
therefore begged to ask the gentleman whether
when he said, with a special emphasis, that he
would not vote for abolition IN the District. it was
not solely for the reason that such measure would
retard abolition all over the United States and
whether he did not hold the opinion that the Fed
eral Government had the power to abolish slavery,
not only in the District but also in the States and
Territories and whether he would not vote for
such proposition of general abolition? If he
would not so vote, Mr. Thompson would be glad
to hear him say so it would do much good.
Hitherto, the fear seemed to be lest should 60
too far in these statements: now, the gentleman
says, do not go far enough. Why, sir, to an
swer the question he has put to me would take at
least the rest of the day-perhaps two more days
House shall open that discussion, they shall then
have my whole heart and soul on that question,
cost what it may. will not open it now: | shall
wait till the House throws it open for full and fair
discussion When that shall be done, repeat, |
am ready to give all my opinions and all my feel
ings to the House and 10 the country.
| was saying that one of the reasons why had
asked leave to make these statements was, that all
the abolitonists and antisavery societies, whether
in the North, the South, or the Centre, may know
precisely where | stand and stated that one of
their journals declared that they must not consid-
er me as an aboitionst, because stopped short Of
" immediatism,' for that all such persons were at
once to be set down as enemies to the cause. That
sir, the very ground of a secret opposition
cered against me in my own district previous to
the late election between the party in favor Of the
administration and that portion of the abolitionists
who were not satisfied with my course. The ad-
ministration party, secretly, without any nomina-
ton, but by secret sympathy which untes them
ALL and which, | believe received its first impulse
in this matter from the cusom-house at Boston,
went round the entire district, and sad in an I'M
der tone, Here is an abolition ticket" and in
this way effected four times as large an opposition
to my election as had ever shown itself on previ-
Gus occasions. Yes, sir; the administration of
" Northern men with Southern principles" were
obliged to set up very respectable gentleman said
to be the most thoroughgoing abolition man they
could find in the whole district, to oppose me. II
now say what my opinion is, land say it here,
openly that the abolitonists and the anti-slavery
societies may take, in regard to me, what course
they please. If shall ever be again a candidate
which is not probable, for there is scarcely an
even chance that shall live to another cleo
ton-but if am, though | should be sorry to lose
their votes, must abide the consequences. have
abode consequences often enough in the course of
my life and must do it again. am determin-
ed, at all events, that they shall not misunderstood
me. Some of their principal leaders do under
stand me perfectly we'll, and this declaration may
save them some trouble, and me also. Sir, | have
done. | will now proceed to present the petitions
am charged with.
MIR. Adams then went on to present petitions,
and was followed by other gentlemen in success
ion, until the usual hour of adjournment.