Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-04-22
Miscellaneous.
Letter as.lxessea 20 the AS CONVENTION at
FROM THOMAS EARLE.

u ~
PHLADELPH1A, March 80, 40.
Gentlemen.-I intended to have come to |
the Convention at Albany, but peculiar
engagements will prevent / presume
there will be no nomination made there
! think it will be well TO call the voting
abolitionists to meet in New York, about
the 18th of May perhaps, those only
who intend to vote for such candidates on
ly as will enaeayor to abolish our partici-
patton in slaveholding. / see not why
those who will vote for the uphoders of
slavery, should participate in discussion
as to the best mode of bestowing the suf.
frages Of those who are resolved not 10
uphold slavery by their votes: much less
those who do not vote al ALL This | say
with all respect to those who differ from
Us. y
Ii a nomination were made, coupling
with anti-slavery principles the sustaining
OF the equal rights of all men, the effect
I've sovereignty of the people, and reduc-
ton OF salaries, | have no doubt of it's
benefits and of its ultimate success, how
ever few the number who may first en-
bark In 1t. Ii it were made on abolition
grounds alone, l do not expect any bene-
fit from it, but great danger of injury,
from Its tendency either to obtain little
support, or to identify The abolitionists
with the weaker of the existing parties.
Ii we agree 10 sustain: l. Universal
suffrage. 2. The equality of rights and
privileges, political, and for business. g..
The annual election of one branch of our
Legislative bodies, including Congress.
A. The reduction of all high salaries so
as to destroy the corrupt motives for seek
ing office-then we touch chord which
will vibrate in the breasts Of three-fourths
Of the people, we sustain that for which
they strive, but which they fail to obtain
through intrigue and official corruption.
know that these views will appear
chimerical 10 some who either have no
sympathy with the mass, or are unac.
quainted with the feelings and principles
OF the mass, and mistake the sentiments
OF the inmates of their parlors for those
of the people
Others may be convinced Of the popu-
larily OF these principles and measures,
but have scruples as to their justice and
expediency.
Let them look at the oppression of the
slaves by the shareholders, at that of the
tree blacks of Jamaica by the Legislature
chosen without their suffrages las to the
mass of them,) at the Corn Laws of Eng
land, and the laws for taxing the neces-
saries of life while income is exempted:
laws made against the will of three-fourths
OF the people, and then say whether any
thing but universal suffrage can ever be
relied on 10 protect the rights of all.
Let them look at the course of Henry
Clay, DR.. Wayland, our merchants and
eur clergy; and then say whether, If it be
true that portion of the poor and ignor-
ant will bestow their votes unwiselv or
corruptly, the same is not also true of the
learned and the wealthy.
If they doubt the benefits of short
terms of office, let them look at the quiet,
the order, and the aoolitionism of Yer
mont, where all officers are elected annu-
ally; compare it with the tyranny and
the political disturbances of all countries
where there are long terms of office.
Ii they doubt the expediency of equal
rights and no monopolies, in relation to
banking and other business privileges, let
them compare the state of England since
the General Banking and Joint Stock
laws, with that which existed before
Let them compare New York with her
free banking and free corporations for
manufacturing with Canada, with Spain.
with Mexico, or even with those States of
the Union where monopoly prevails.
If they doubt our obtaining good Off
GERS for low salaries, let them look at the
intrigues by which corrupt men acquire
places with high salaries; let them com
pare the conduct of Swartwout and Price
With that of the moderately paid clerks
the fidelity of public agents in Vermont.
Rhode Island, New Jersey, Ohio, with
those States where salaries are HIGHEST
let them compare the integrity of those
who 60 to abolition Conventions to snend
money. with those who go to political
ones TO make it; or that of those who
:isked life and fortune in the revolution.
with the political men of the present dav,
who risk neither.
have very little hopes of your Con-
vention, or any indiscriminate Convention
OF abolitionists, adopting these principles. |
although have little doubt that thew
would be approved by the people of al |
most most any, district in the northern States |
assembled indiscriminately. The opinion |
tnat aoolitionists are not favorable to the
equal rights of the whites, is one of the
greatest obstacles to the advancement oil
our cause.
!, A !. decided majority of abolitionists in
mis- State are, | think, opposed 10 i nol;t.