The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-08-17
NgNz e e. IL 33.

government And take this right to be unouestiona-
oe ana the opposition to it slavsh and odous in my
own person shall ever defend it, and will here take the
io'r'y OF stating the grounds upon which, in my opinion
INC "eieice ought to be puta subject which fear is NOT
thoroughly understood. The constitution is charter of
freedom the freedom of the press, and of Speech the
great pillars upon which the whole fabric rests But this
is not all. The constitution in providing for its amend
meat has by tfat alone guaranteed the fullest discus
sion of every principle contained in it-fo how can any
thing be amended without being considered and how can
any thing be considered without being discusse The
only question: then, is whether the discussion be sober
CONSTITUTIONAL violent incendary, and revolutionary
for if So it is in disguise and southern communi
y ought endure it, Nor is this alfor though the con-
suton has provided for its amendment, there creep
0nSand where it declares, that shall not be amended
there may be said, that there is end of discussion
for why talk about altering compact, when it is part of
the stipulation, that shall not be altered For the
reason why not be allowed to talk about the amending of
IT. when 1t expressly provides, that may be amended r
The exception to which refer is this. The constitution
provides, that amendment which shall be made prior
the year $685. shall affect the first clause in the ninth
section of the first article which clause Declares that Con-
gess shall not prohibit the importation of slaves prior to
1908. Here, then it plain that the constitution pal
paby prohibited the discussion of slavery in the
it allows in the other 1t is true, then, that sla
very is the peculiar institution of the South; it is
institution also; we have allowed 1T have consented
that slave property shall be represented that it shall in
part choose representatives, senator's and president; it
is part of the compact But is part article of the
constitution that may be amended; and IL clear that ev
cry attempt to abolish slavery is virtually an endeavor to
amend the constitution. Abolition meetings, therefore,
have other design than induce the slavehodng
states consent for mutual benefit abolish this part
of the compact and thus emancipation. There
other grounds upon which it is impossible consider the
discussion of American slavery unconstitutional op-
posed to the principles which bind together. Slavery
in every form is antidemocatc not be sure accord
ing the creeds slang Of party but according those
eternal principles, which will survive all party. And
must confess, that long since hoped that this question
might have been treated, be removed from all par
ty influence, and committed to that great Of democrat
ic citizens ofa parties, in whose hearts the fire of ber-
ty is ever burning, however much their judgments may
for while be COMPOUNDED by party intrigue, attachments,
and appeals Nor do believe that abolition doctrines will
make any progress till this can be efected-tl sla
very is considered in its true light old poison left in
the vens fostering the worst principles of aristocracy
of PRIDE and aversion to labor; therefore the
envy of the poor the oppressed man, the aboring
In this sense is not ancful question about the equal
y of the black and white races, perhaps
lied to the satisfaction of ALL but whether absolute domn
ion any creature in the image of man. be whole
some power in free country whether this be school in
which to train the young republican mind whaher slave
blood and free blood heathy together in the
body polite. With the lovers of freedom here-
fore, of democratic government of the of man. rich
high or low, and the sincere haers of oppression
every degree of privileged inequality and cruelty there
AN be question about the right to discuss slavery
Whatever may be present Appearances and by whatever
names party may choose to call things, this question
finally be settled BY the Democracy of the country. 1t
plain to therefore, that the subject ought for the pres
at least be transferred from Congress to the great
body of the people, of their superior purity,
and reasonabeness great solecsm
hat may APPEAR and treated with thai reason moderation
md generosity which due southern brethren, in
he unhappy predcament in which they placed and in
such way, that the pesen spirit of party, which in the
United States is poisoning the minds of the people, per-
'erng their judgments, and degrading the nation in the
eyes of the whole world, may not touch it.
With great respect your ob't serv't,
THEODORE SEDGwIcK.