Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-12-21

ly understood here, that each time he took
The floor, he had IL as long as he chose.
All the difficulties in the case grew out OF
the slavery TO violence in which these friends
of violence had been educated. Free dis
cussion was perfect novelty TO them. They
knew nothing about it, any more than one
who has been born and brought up under
the lash on a Southern plantation, knows
about freedom in general. Now that the
matter is over, and look back upon il with
ldeliberaiion, feel more TO pity than to
| blame Them But they must be dealt faith
fully WITH for their own good and the good
of others. To argue that violent govern
ment of the meeting was the thing needed,
because of their unpreparedness for free dis
cussion, would be to argue the necessity of
the continuance Of slavery, because the slaves
are not prepared TO appreciate and enjoy the
blessings Of liberty. Slavery is not the thing
10 fiji men for freedom. Nor are modefators,
with authority and violent rules of decorum,
the thing TO fit men for free discussion. The
lessons taught the people, on this point
alone, in connection with this discussion.
will BIZ worth The cost Of the meeting. II
was glorious triumph Of peacefulness over
violence = of freedom over despotism = Of
Christianity over barbarism and brutality.
With all the frowardness of these strangers
to liberty and free discussion-these slaves
to violence and selfshness, there was less
confusion aud waste of time, than | have
sometimes seen in governing meeting
with moderator and rules Of decorum.
Early in the discussion, 81. Clair went
off to Moses for authority, in support OF
violent institutions This Of course led
to examination as 10 The trustworthiness
of the authority. This examination oc-
cupied most of the time while St. Clair
slaid. All will see in a moment that the
fnal issue depended very much on the
settlement Of This great preliminary qaes-
lion. And yet The senseless cry was raised
and kept up CONTINUALLY, by St. Clair and
his coadiulors, that was all the while eff
from The question. And this in the face
of all thai had been published. He had
signified his desire TO have the trustworth.
! mess rf Moses taken for granted as au-
lhoriy in all things pertaining TO the sub
ject. La reply to this | had distinctly
stated that | viewed this to be shameful
begging of the question, and should con
sen, to no such thing. 10 the face # all
this, he went directly Of and logged in
Moses as chief authority and because
would not receive it wilhou. first canvass
Ing It's claims, an uproar was raised and
kept up 10 the last = that | was off for,
the question. This uproar was one very
convenient thing for the champion of VIC
lent institutions, in church and IN state, 10
cover his Retreat with. For he retreated,
Just as this question was about being de-
cided, and we were to approach the final
issue. He frresaw the evil and hid him.
self He had the discernment to see that
| his authority was most thoroughly invai,
idaled. His foundation being thus remov.
ed, be had nothing TO build his superstruc
turc on. All there was left him to d.
was, 10 abandon his enterprise on the best
Eretexts he could raise, and leave his work
in the ditch. Al the close of the afternoon
session on Saturday. and at the same time
the close of a speech of lis, Of belweea
three and four hours length - the floor
corning TO me next he inquired 10 know
If he could nave half Of the EVENING" My
reply was. that | had taken extended notes,
which would lead to lengthy rejoinder,
and could not copcede his right to claim
the floor until got through. | Lad pub.
ished that the discussion would probably
continue through the Sabbath, aud should
continue it accordingly. There vas then
a regular set to, on the part OF the violent
party, 10 break up the meeting. 81. Clai;
would uot continue in the discussion dur
ing the Sabbalh But. mark | allerward.
, learned tia: but few weeks before, he hac
discussed this very subject 10 The Congre
gationaI House in that place. making wa
upon Resistance, an the Baptist AM
. Methodist congregations were adjourne,
and went to hear him! He stated that b
and his friends should no! be there tia
| Saturday. evening. A man by the nam
e of Bass, who had taken very active pal
: in snnnart of vialent measnrae aros. an