Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-01-16

inc some reasons why considered such a
course Of action 10 result naturally from the
Declaration, asked you whether you would
admit the correctness of my conclusion
But how de you reply?-"I simply ASK
qpith qrhat propriety, or consistency, or
Justice, does brother Curtis refuse TO stop I
to answer my questions, and get claim the
privilege of questioning me at ptedsure|
L tb;s candid2 Does this look like will |
lingness to know the truth? There was no
similarity whatever in the two cases OF
questioning. At the close OF an article
asked whether you admitted or denied the
conclusion TO which had arrived, that II
YOU denied it might adduce further proof
| On the contrary your list of questions had
no connection whatever with the subject
| under examination. Once mere attempted
| to show that all legal instruments, such as
notes, receipts, deeds, &c, inasmuch as
their avowed & only use is to compel men 10
do right, or restrain them from doing wrong,
by pains and penalties, must cease to be
used or countenance6 at all by the signers
of the Declaration, and that locks and bolts
being the means Of physical coercion EN-
| ployed to restrain men from doing wrong,
must be discarded. | gave these differences
as my understanding Of the meaning Of the
Declaration. Would not a candid seeker
after truth either admit or deny these ex-
planatory differences, that something might
be settled as we go along? But no. You
, very contemptuously lis it not so? remark
that | am "neither here nor there;" and
that when aVow my sentiments you will
notice them. How many times must it be
repeated that the sentiments of the Decldr-
alton and not mig sentiments are the subject
Of investigation? Let US lay aside the
! craft of willy dis2uiants, seeking to take
advantage of each other, and honestly in.
f, quire for truth. am not Intentionally lay.
ing any snares or traps in which to entanglt
!; you, that you should be so excessively
cautious of making any admissions. die
i expect frank and candid replies to my en-
v quiries respecting the meaning of the Dec
taration. Such replies you do not hesitate
to give me in private CONVEX sation, and
only ask that you use the same frankness
4 and candor in your notes.
You will see l have not taken a singh
l. step in advance, this week; and my rea
sons are these: Ist. 1t is very desirable tina
J. we understand the Declaration and under
9 stand 1t alike, before we commence III
- direct examination of its principles. 2.
If am anxious to settle things as we 60 alone
r. so far as this can be done, that it may b
he known how far we agree, ard in what RI
a. spects and to what extent we differ.
, Yours, &C., HARVEY CURTIS.
- If any of my language has savored aught
g contempt" towards brother Curtis, l most heart
ly regret its choce,-forI have never cntertain
the feeling towards him, or any of his production
&C for moment.
III AS for his charge Of earfulness or over caution
ness-and also want Of candor my part ha
10 only to say, wait brother, and see, by and by.
IL tchen get through, you will bring this charge
will then acknowledge its business, or appeal
!. those who look
Itappears to me that the difficulty in the way
our proceeding lies, III a great measure, in brotl
q Curtis manner Of getting at the subject He /,
US, at the outset, chat he could not do in rela,
to "a subject as some squirrels are said to do in
u ation TO their holes, begin at the bottom and
ne out" But if his course has not been little Ii
lad this, am quite mistaken. l have reference, nc
ors to his beginning with the results of principles
on view to treating of the principles themselves
terrardS. What more there is 10 be said alb,
~ principles after their practical results are fl,
sho"n' can have no more conception OF, tina
an can oil Tie manner In which the squirrel gets to
rye bottom OF his hOle to make his beginning In,
~ always supposed that TO show the practical re 81
NC principles, is to say the most that can be said
en- regard to them.
S.. Agaln,-a measure of difficulty has arisen fir
ion oro'iler Curts refusing to be himself identified W
- 'he oPposluon which he raises to the " Declarat
, VI 0en'lihents' Being perfectly willing on
les own part TO acknowledge identity with the sci
IN nehts mad endorsed did not hesitate TO SUNNI
= nc would as readily consent, if he would not g,
~, ciam' 10 be identified with such objections IN TN
as he should choose TO raise-esneciaIlv as no n,
iiested SO much alarm and horror at the first 81;
of them.
of II brother Curtis, or any other one il n, Ios.
MD perceive the relevancy of these last rsmorts
nm captain when brother Curtis, in former arti,
- was iaDorng TO point the tendencies and resi-
OF tne Sentiments" chose to show him and G
ers their soundness and their Christianity, by po
eel ing out the uH-chrstianty of the results to VIII
are ne must inevitably be led by following antagoni
principles. From such results he recoiIed "
shudderng, and he has ever since inveighed aga
you aimSeD being identified with the opposition h,