The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-08-09

Judge Williams answer to letter from
,hc corresponding committee of the Anti
slavery convention, informing him of his
nomination for Governor.
Rutland, July %, 1912.
Dear Sir,-I have just received your
communication notifying me that | was
Nominated for the office Of Governor, by the
convention held at Brookfeld. had pre-
yiously seen their proceedings, as published
lul did not consider that any formal reply
was rcquired, until received notice from
the convention.
So far as my individual feelings are con-
ccrncd should have been better satisfied,
The gentleman who was nominated by the
convention al Perkinsville last year, OF some
other, had been presented 10 the public as
candidate for that office. have no am
biion for political life, and lis honors or
cares do not commend themselves either 10
nv feelings or habits. This. as well as ma
Nv other COZ derations, which it is unneces.
sury 10 mention, induced me to decline be-
irg candIdute the last year, when my name
vas first announced in the public journals.
But IS puItio of my fellow citizens have
again ttonght proper 10 present my nome 10
tie public, do not feel at liberty TO decline
the nomination. Ii is for Them and no, for
me, 10 say whether shall be candidate
for any Office in the gift If the people My
wishes. therefore, are ycil4ed 10 theirs.
1t is a. proposition too plain 10 admit of
doubt or equivocation. ''lliat slavery is both
moral and political evil" This seems 10
receive a ready assent from all Political par
Ties in this state. Ia my opinion, TO coln-
irnarce it in any way, is a derciction from
the principles of Christianity, and lucnrs
moral guilt Eitier view of it, however,
imposes duty on all 10 take measures for
lis immediate abolition. Something more
is required than a mere assent TO the truth
Of moral or political axiom; there should
be immediate, vigorous and resolu!e action
to abolish and exlerminate it. 1.-THE people
ofihese States where slavery does not exist.
or where ii exists only partially, were AMI
mated with the same spirit which influenced
tie statesmen 10 the British parlment 10 a
tolisb Slavery in The West Indies, should
unite and require of their representatives.
hy IN act of the legislature of the United
States, Immediately to abolish slavery in the
district of Columbia. and IN all Territories
vIcre the jurisdiction Of Congress is un-
doub ed, 10 listen 10 no compromise on this
subject, and not 10 YIELD o political or con.
mercal influence. fully believe it would be
Effected, AID fI.rher. that the States where
slavery does exist, would theu feel compel
led to weld TO an enlightened public senii-
Hcnt. and take measures within their juris-
dicion, to accomplish the same object. The
Unit. States would then be enumerated a.
mong the enlightened and christian nations
wfO act upon the principle THAT all men are
treated equal" and are endowed by their
Creator with the ''unalienabe right" 20 life.
liberty and the pursuit of happiHess-snd
that man cannot be made the property of
his fellow man. by the legitimate enactment
VI any legislature whatever.
Ii political considerations should have a.
ny bearing on a question of this kiud, may
te permitted TO add, that slavery is a bond
ofPoli lea aunion 10 hose Sta es where it cx-
isis, which enables them 10 bring a united
and concentrated effort of strenth on all po-
llica questions which affect them in any
way, and can only be met by cerrespon-
ding and united effort and action on the
pan of others whose interests are TOO often
sacrificed and compromised TO secure the
Influence Of those States.
am, very respectfully.
Your obed't serv'r,
CHI. K. WILLIAMS.
T. r. THRALL, ESQ of the Com of Cor
respondence.