Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-04-24


by some in our ranks, TO respond TO tbs
demand. The notorious Clerical Appeals
and more recent demonstrations from the
same quarter are instances OF this kind.
This brief and imperfec, sketch OF the
progress Of the AMI Slavery cause IS given,
in order to right understanding of our pres
ent position. We have arrived al a crisis !
in which it is Of the utmost importance that
we should have frequent recurrence TO our
fundamental principles, and 10 the original
terms Of our unlon-ihat, casting aside all
secIarian and party jealousies, and cherish
ing the utmost indulgence TO the conscien-
aions scruples OF all our brethren and Sis
tiers, we may continue with all the force OF
our united and harmonious lsbors, 10 urge
onward the glorious car Of freedom, that
none Of our strength may be wasted in slrlv-
ing TO pull each other down from the emf
nence they may have justly earned, but that
now, when 50 much needed; it may all be
expended to the best account for the further
ance of our single obiect-ihe peaceful re-
demption Of the slave.
The discussion OF the principles and
measures oil the abolitionists, which, for the
last few years, has agitated almost every
corner Of our country, has brought into Wig
orous exercise and qualified for usefulness
hundreds and thousands of minds, which
without some occasion would have remain
ed like the marble in the quarry or the
bright gems, which the "dark unfaIhomed
caves Of ocean bear"
A multitude Of men and women of respect
able talents, and some Of superior minds,
have by this means been raised up and train
ed for moral warfare, who would otherwise
have continued TO pursue the smooth and
even tenor of their way, content to take fol-
truth the creeds Of their forela,hers or the
doSmas Of their spiritual guides wi,hou
ever being at the pains TO investigate any
principle Of morals for themselves, or thu
foundation of any Of their social or civil OBJ
legations! The free and unreserved inves
tigation OF the question Of slavery, and tn
irresistible conclusions TO which such inves
tigation has led, contrary to the time honor
ed theories Of slaveholdng divinity, and i
opposition to the publicly avowed sentimen
Of large proportion of those classes who's
opinion had long been regarded as law an,
their judgment as inGallible, have necessari
ly induced habit Of independent inquiry o
other subjects and it may now be regarde
rs one Of the most suspicious signs Of ih
{ times, that the public mind is becomin
more prone TO individual examination OF a
subjects presented TO It's notice ; and instea
ofreceiving for doctrines the commandment
g of men, TO bring every question Of morali
and religion TO the test of free discussion, b
fore the tribunal of reason, scripture and Il
sure teachings of the Holy Spirit.
Another improvement Of the age, for viii,
we are indebted TO the discussions on me
al subjects which have been carried on {
the last few years, and especially to the d
cussion of human rights, is, The dispositi,
TO carry principles out TO their legitimo
results. Honest men are no longer sat
fed to acknowledge in theory the truth OF
great moral principle, or selfevident pro
osilion, and in practice TO give it fat del
al. The whole strength OF our warfa
against slarery lies in the simple propo
ton that all men are morally bound
CARRY OUT IN PRACTICE the truth of the ID,
lGratiOn Of independence, that " all M
uro cce0fod o0,,oJO and a. .,Io;, - ~
itire requirements Of The GOSPEL-dI
ioUe our neighbor as ourselres, and to
TO others as zoe lrould that they should
TO us. When men and women have be
Anti-Slavery enterprise has furnished, a
have fully realized the power and efficacy
the principles which it has taught; VIII
they have stood up, and in the face of thu
TO whom they had been accustomed TO Ii
as their superiors and guides, have advoc
ed the correctness and demonstrated
truth OF those principles-when they hi
seen the Jolly and the error Of depend
upon others for instruction without exert
ing their own powers Of mind; in sh
when they have accustomed themselves
refer all their actions 10 the test OF exami
ton and the scrutiny OF conscience, and
yield willing obedience to its dictates,
in vain 10 attempt TO restrain them in the
cuse Of their moral and intellectual fac
ties, or TO dictate to them any code of n
III ala or any course OF action, which will
II bear the test Of their own Investigations,
Ill meet The appreciation Of conscience.
The unparalleled success which has
tended the efforts Of the modern abolit
N4 ists must he atlributed. in q great meas