The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-06-11
For the Spirit of the Age.


OF the true state of the abolition cause, in regard tc
principles, measures, and men. In doing this, you
only do what the Albany Argus hns lately done to
It's honor, II is important for both friends and ell
emies of abolition 10 have correct information about
1t. 1t cannot benefit any party or individual to be
deceived and especially in matter of such vast
importance. believe therefore, that your read
ers generally, if not universally, will anAiously per-
use these lines, and the more so, as have been
familiar. with the subject almost from the COM
mencement, and write only what think know.
First, then, in regard to principles; abolition is
pure, unauthorized democracy and republication.
1t is the belief that, as Con has made of one blood
all nations of men, that all are born equal, aud
that Gop gave as many rights to each man, as 10
any or erery man that all men have an equal
right to liberty, the tight to 90 where they please,
do what they shoose and enjoy The fruit of their
own labors, so far as they can, without violating
the rights Of others that no man forlets his
rights any further than he violates the rights of
others that COP gave 10 all men in Adam, an
equal right TO dominion over all the earth, l. e. over
the beasts, birds, fishes and insects and this I'M
p les the equal right of sell-goyernment, and con-
sequently the equal right of voting, which is only
depnlizng another to govern for us that the pow
ers that he are thus ordained Of Cont for the
equal security Of all the rights of each that mel
Their birth, nor learning, nor titles, nor property,
nor complexion, is the test of this tight but it is
enough that he is man and true to The interests of
the country where he has his permanent residence;
thai, GnD is no respecer of persons, but Of char
acers /; those who, on account of complexion,
shape or circumstances, as james says,t commit
sin for TO COP all that he has done in creation,
providence, and grace, is good and very good -
for his pleasure the color and shape Of all men are
and were created. Aud what peases him, ough,
to please US. Now we believe that us American
slavery violates these rights, and every other hui
man right, with respect to near three millions Of
our loboring popaIaon which is about onehalf
of the people in one-half of the States onc-slth
of the nations We believe, ! say, that it is So
cial, moral and political evil and sin against GoD,
man and nature in the abstract and concrete in all
circumstances that 1t Is wrong to begin slavery.
and greater wrong to continue it that aside from
the crueies that naturally spring out of it, taking
away human liberty and making men mere proper
ty, is more cruel than DEATH so that II kind slave
holder is an irreconcilabe paradox, and he violates
| every human right, every moment he holds his e.
quail brother man in chains Hence immediate
emancipation is the duty Of the master and the right
of the slave, as much us it ever was, or ever will
be- And we challenge the whole world to produce
an instance, from the creation Of the world TO this
day, where immediate emancipation was attended
with disastrous results and stand ready TO prove
the contrary in many instances. So much for prin-
cpes in which abo'tionisls of all parties and all
religions, (f we accept few who would oppose
all voing) very generally agree.
| come now to speak of measures and here we
are very unanimous in respect to talking writing,
praying and peiioning inst slavery, and per-
haps also, in forming societies, contributing money,
establishing libraries, spreading newspapers, and
tracts, and using all lawful, constitutional, moral
and religious influences, Except vo'ing,) tina, we
know Of, or can find out, and no other But tho
we are well united in these things extraneous mat
tiers, that have nothing to do in the main question,
have made some trouble in our ranks, and among
Others the Garrison party, by insisting on the wo-
mems rights of equal Offices power and station, so
| 10 man oth inIu rod
about 800 (Which was about half of the men in the
national anniversary TO Withdraw pcaccably, and
| form new society, which will, think, give more
general satisfaction than the other but this is two
teams instead of one. But notwithstanding this
and some other obstacles, the anti slavery feeling
is widening deepning and rolling its swelling surg
over the land, sweeping all before it, and it be-
hoves all parties to govern themselves accordingly.
lf they do not wish to be crushed by its power,
they mus, noun, upon the whrwind and ride up
on the storm. No party can prosper that goes a.
ganst this republican principle. 1t is time the de-
mocratic party Of the North should be divorced
South have been like The man who sprang up into
n tree, leaving his friend with the bear.T So the
Northern democracy fell fiat on the ground and the
bear is whispering them very closely. And when
the chivarous hero of The South shall cry OUT
what said the bear ! hope the democratic North
will be chivalrous enough to reply, never will a.
gain associate with the wretch who in the hour of
danger will deser, his friend. Though the South
go for slavery, let the North go for liberty.
will omit for the present, 10 speak of the last
and most important measure. while proceed TO
speak of men in the abolition enterprise. And LIST,
there is large number Of eminent ministers Of all
or nearly all, the religious denominations The
Meihodists, Baptisis, Quakers, and Free-will Bap-
lists, both ministers and people, almost universally
Justice would require that masters should become
slaves but we only ask them to cease 10 do evil.
Romans. 10, |.
James 2, 6.
Let this class be favored II any.
( IL this our boaste1 liberty /
The wing office seekers ravenos as bear. They