The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-05-11
Tremendous RetOrt.

In the late debate at Cincinnati, between Rev.
j. Blanchard (recently of this state) and R. R
Gurley, Secretary of the American Colonization
Society, the subject of the Maryland emancipation
law being under discussion, the former gentleman
thus closed his half hour speech:
81 arm determined to believe my opponent sim
cere at heart, come what may. am bound to dc
so by the courtesies of debate and my heart feels
no disposition to rebel against the rule. But what
must you think Of a cause which will not allow
its advocates to disapprove of acknowledged vio-
aons of the law of God When on the subject
of separating the races, asked my opponent to
set some day. some one or two hundred years
hence after which the country ought to enamel
pate the slaves if not coonzed before. He did
not reply. He dare not. For he knows that his
friends at the South go for colonization as cacu-
lated to make slavery perpetual! then mplo-
red him to tell you and the audience whether he
approved or disapproved Of southern slavery. He
was still silent. Then came the Maryland scheme,
tearing apart husbands and wives, mothers and
children He tells you the Abolitonists caused
those laws to be made, but he did not he dares
not, tell you they were wrong!
Sir, implore, what would you-what would
this audience think of me, if l stood before you
the advocate of a protested scheme of mercy; and
being questioned, should not dare to tell you that
was opposed to swindling, theft or perjury? And
what will you think of society which does not
allow my respected opponent even to condemn the
forcible separation of man and wife!
Mr.. Gurley here signi6ed his dissent from the
representations of the speaker in some words not
recollected when Mr. Blanchard turned sudden
ly round and said to Mr.. Gurley, who sat near
him on the stage =
Do understand the gentleman to say in the
presence of this audience that he does consider it
a crime against God 10 separate man and wife I?
Mr.. Gurley answered Yes
Mr.. Blanchard instantly exclaimed
Most heartily do thank my opponent for the
declaration. Now be it known to this audience,
and let the takers tell it to the South, that my
respected opponent has here charged Judge Bush
rod Washington with committing "crime against
Cod" in the sale of fifty-four of his slaves in the
year 1921, and in separating families in this sale
four years after he was elected the first president
of the American Colonization Society. And be ii
known that the society contrived to elect this lac
cording to Mr.. Gurley) criminal in the sight OIL
God" 10 the presidency each successive year till
1929, when he died when my respected oppo-
nent, this very gentleman who now calls him q
criminal in the sight of Cod" pronounced his
eulogy, saying, among other things, that he had
always been governed by the modest feelings y
IL any have any doubt whether the president
of this society did what my opponent here calls a
crime against God they have only to consult the
Baltimore Chronicle of that day, in which Judge
Washington publicly admits the charge, and JUST
fes his act of separating families in the sale of his
slaves"