Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-06-02
FURTHER REVIEW
HERALD,

HERALD.
This question we know has caused
much anxiety to every friend of missions.
(6) The Convention was formed, and the
cooperation of the South given, with a
full knowledge that many of our members
were shareholders, and that slavery was
sanctioned in the South both by church
and State. "a We entered,into the federal
compact, with a full knowledge of the
state of our domestic Institutions The
constitution of the Union guarantees that
we shall not be molested or disturbed on
this accountb the non-slaveholding States.
'{S1 We are left to be the sole judges in
regard to the expediency of modifying or
altering the condition of our colored pop
ulation. 10y Whether they shall be man.
united or continued in servitude, are
questions, the right to introduce or discuss
which we have reserved to ourselves. 10y
We entered into mutual cooperation with
our Southern brethren, with a similar un-
derstanding. We have not violated this
compact, we have not changed our ground,
slavery then existed, aud still exists
amongst US. The system has not altered
lis features-has not become more rigid
or oppressive. (ID Ga The contrary, our
| slaves within the present century have
been treated more mildly. food and cloth
ing have been more amply provided their
religious instruction has been more aIteDd-
ed 10. and their comfort aud protection 10
every way more fully secured. Tha;
greater efforts have no! been made 10 ill.,
struct them more thoroughly in the ways
of truth and righteousness, is owing to the
unwise efforts of the ibolitioLisls By
sending their publications into the South
ern States, they have excited the appre-
tensions, and aroused the indignation of
the community. Restrictions have been
imposed and precautions taken, which
otherwise would not have been deemed
necessary. Those masters who felt anx-
ious to promote the spiritual welfare of
their slaves, have been impeded in accom-
plishing their desires, by the efforts of
these brethren, whose Zeal has so unhap-
PLY outstretehed their iud gment. Their
labors, so far, instead of amelioraiine the
condition of our colored population, have
resulted to their injury Instead offriends,
they have been enemies, so far as the we'll
being of the slaves is concerned Q2)
Obedience 10 civil magistrates is most
! forcibly enjoined in the New Testament,
and subsection to the governing powers
and laws of the country The authority
exercised by the Roman government over
the subjected provinces was tYrannical
and oppressive-yet neither our Saviour
nor his apostles, denounced it on this ac-
count. They contented themselves with
intoxicating the just and equitable princi-
pies Of the gospel, with the firm PERSIA
sion that the doctrines they taught and
the precepts they enjoined, should extern
siyely prevail. and be fully practised-
tyranny and oppression must necessarily
cease. As citizens of the Union, as pro-
fessors of religion, when the laws of our
States prohibit the introduction of certain
publications within their bounds, we can
not see how these abolition Baptists, with
"a clear conscience, violate these laws.
The plea that such laws are oppressive
and unjust will not avail them. Until
they are rescinded they have no right to
disobey them. They can find no sane
ton or example for such course in the
New Testament. (l3)
Editorial Notes.
l6) Whether is the "anxietyn of the
South greater, on the score of missions, .
or Of slarery7
lD What then7 Does the fact that the
North have joined hands with oppressors.
make out that oppression is no sin? And
IS covenant with sin-and consequently
with death-of binding force. and perpetu-
al1