Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-07-20
July 20, 1s42.
For che Telegraph.

For the Teiegraph.
Mr.. Editor Before commencing the Sc
res Of "short articles,n to which allusion
is made in late number Of your paper, il
may be proper to inform your readers that !
have spent more than half Of the past year
10 the Southern States, for the improvement
Of my health. During this time was con-
stantly conversant with slavery. In Vir-
GINA, the Carolinas and Georgia, had an
opportunity Of comparing, 10 some extent,
things as they really exist, with Inc common
astounding statements Of northern abolition
lists.
Since my return, the questions have been
frequently asked me. by acquaintance whom
Ihave CHANGED TO meet, "Well, how did
you find slavery ~ "Do you, after person
al observation, believe il TO be as bad as our
aboIitionisis represent il to be % fare the
slaves generally abused and very cruelty
treated7n "Or is their condition comforta-
bic and happy?" These, and similar ques-
tons are of too much importance to pass
unnoticed. They are such as the commu-
nifty at the North feel interested 10 hear
answered by every person who may have
visited the South. To answer them faith
fully is Of vital consequence TO the cause Of
truth and humanity. And if my humble
testimony in reply to these points Of enquiry
Gamble Of the least value, il shall, with the
help Of God, be given briefly TO any who
will take the pains, weekly, to read few
lines in your paper.
10 my feeble communications shall en-
deavor 6rstto examine some Of the current
falsehoods Of dboIitionisis, in the light Of
few facts that gathered while in the
region Of slavery. JosEPH HuNT1NoToN
July 18th.
p. s. Some things recently from your
pen relative 10 the sabbath and church or
duances give me much uneasiness. Ipray
that the Great Teacher may guide you, BY
bis word and spirit, into all truth, and pre-
serve you from embracing o. intoxicating
error In.
Not the Proper Time and Place.
An cold fashioned . 4lh Of July celebra-
ton was had at Union Village, Washing
ton Co. N. Y. All parties joined in getting
hup. ED. Barber, Of Middlebury, a ma
tive Of the former piace-or at least "a resi-
dent there during his early years--was sent
fort0 be orator, and went. In.the course Of
bis Grafton heiook occasion to give slavery
some terrible DEMONSTRATING the ground that
the doctrines Of the Declaration Of lndepend-
mce should be cherizhed and carried OUT
ayainst slavery, because it is the common
enemy Of mankind, whatever it may be in
The Uuited States or elsewhere. The pro-
slavery part Of his VAST audience were high
y offended. They admitted that what the
orator had said was true, and that it ought
Obe spoken on fitting occasions. But he
had taken the aorong time and place
Now the sentiment, that 4th of July cele-
bra.ion, designed to commemorate the birth
day Of American liberty, as is pretended, is
an improper occasion for declaiming against
slavery, is Of one piece with the sentiment
that the pulpit is 100 holy q place and the
Sabbath TOO holy day TO be occupied for
preaching peace on earth and good will TO
men The former of these sentiments is
worthy Of heartless politicians-the latter, of
heartless religionists.