Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-05-06

lavery, and zealously defended the insti-
utien whenever 1 had a suitable opportu-
lity. read but litlle on the other side of
ne question, Tor it was regarded unsafe in
hat community to receive abolition doc
lments, and in addition TO this, as I N.Y.
'eIfconceived, necessary precaut;on, fell
30 satisfied that my own views were in
;ontroyetible, that | sought not for anti
slavery information | thought / had
light enough, and felt secure in my own
Of the Scriptures. Some
few of the papers with which ! exchang-
ed did venture occasionally to call our at
Lention to the subject, but without much |
attemp! at argument or reason. Feeling
dependent upon patronage for
support, they were cautious how they |
touched so delicate subject, and repos- |
ed with much quietude on the infalliblity |
of my own conclusions. But in July of
the same year, received a paper con-
tanning DR.. Wayland's chapter on Person
al Liberty, an extract from his Elements
of Moral Science, just then published.
This produced powerful effect on my
feelings, and | began to doubt the cor
RICHNESS of the views had been enter
tanning | thought, however, after read
ing the article second time, that | de-
tected its errors, aud sat down to write
something in reply. After writing three
pages on human rights, l found my own
argument leading to such anti-republican
conclusions as TO startle myself. | then
made second effort at reply, but was, de-
spite of myself, compelled to modify my
views of slavery. saw that must Ell
Their give up my republican principles, or
admit that slavery in its origin was unjust,
and that if freedom be a good, slavery is
an evil-yet did not perceive how could
be blamed for the bondage of my slaves,
Inasmuch as they were slaves before they
came into my possession. had an APP
prehension that those born on my place
were made slaves by myself, but l was
inclined TO think that the responsibility
could not rest on me, as | was only act
ing in agre ment with the laws of the
country. To nay mind, too. the Bible
seemed to justify the practice OF slavery,
although its principle must be opposed to
the principle of slavery. was greatly
oubled-I read DR.. Wayland's treatise
about seven times over. | found in Rees'
Cylopadia some thoughts on the subject
l was anxious. exceedingly anxious, to
have the subject fully before me; but
dared not have in my house any abolition
publications, and so had but a poor OPP
portunity to find materials to work against
my interest and my prejudices. With me,
all was doubt could arrive at no def
mite conclusions. saw clearly that slave.
ry and republicanism were not consistent
but thought slavery was justifable on
! the ground of necessity. Our fathers had
fixed it upon us; was interviewer into
the policy of the country, and a general
emancipation, feared, would be ruinous
Many would be reduced to poverty. l
then occurred to me that, if necessity wa,
the law by which i: must be justified, tina
the law would not apply to myself, sine,
could grant freedom to those had, an,
then not be reduced to want On tn
whole, | was in snch state Of doubt tina
!, felt it my duty to choose the safe side
and since had perfect right to liberat
: my slaves. but thought it at least possibl
that slavery was sinful, made up m
. mind to offer to my slaves the liberty I
= 90 either to Liberia or any free state the
$ might choose. made then the propos'
e distinctly. fully and honestly but VIII
! could the poor creatures do2 They ha
:, no knowledge of other countries, the
~ knew not TO what want they might be r
:, duced in a strange land, and | could gi
!, them no satisfactory information, for
- was.not possessed of it myself They b;
~ been accustomed to regard me as XII
u, master, and they preferred 70 be amol
u the connections they had formed in t
~ neighborhood. They therefore chose
ca remain where they were, and to work
III nv service. l dismissed my oyerse
u and left nv plantation to their almost ,
tire control, determined TO supply th
ISL with what they needed. in proportion
20 the proceeds Of the crops they made.
na' No sooner did | take this STEP tba
Ian became the object oil calumny and abu
ny Although l had broken no law of
q State; had nterferred with no mans p
inu ileges; had not urged my troubles uI
Ell any one; and was doing no more tha
aW conscientious man was obliged 10 do
We was, nevertheless, so threatened and Vi
Tue h fed, that it was question whether l GU
'ne not at once to leave the country for
Oh personal safety. That was not an q
uel litionist was made evident, blythe cont
a. as ed vindication of the system of SLAYER,
le'u the paper was editing in Charleston
vei' for alihou2b | had given up the def
nus of slaxef* II the abstract, yet still a
'ets' ogizea cd It on the ground of aeeess
SCI and NV course with regard to my 81
lord, "as my Wv" r ''o'o ~
So to- opening muuts - ;, Ime De,Ong'