Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-07-06

il =
Lynchi | ask you what shall we dc
Don't tell you We are in the midst of
gun-powder? 1855
j Northerner. Wet the gun-powder with
the waters of emarcipat my friend; them
our frebrands will fall as harmless as so
many egg-shells. .~s r..
! Southerner. You know nothing at all
about the subject. There is not a more
miserable set on the face of the earth, than
the free negroes. tell you the truth,
with all deliberation, when assure you,.
that the greatest curse you could bestow
upon slave, would be to give him his
| freedom.
Northerner. I can readily enough be-
lIeve that the character of the free negroes
must suffer greatly from their anomalous
position.>> They stand between two class
es, with the disadvantages of both, and
the advantages of neither. Without pro-
lection as slaves, and without rights as,
| freemen; continually insulted, feared, and
hated !; the whole influence of society,"
moral and political, converted into ma
chine to force them off. Yet, under all
these disabilities, their situation is superb
or to that of the slaves; and i believe you
belle your own conscience, when you say
! it is not. > ~ srs.ss i -.z -
.Southerner. You may believe me or
not, as you please: but assure you, my
slaves would not accept their freedom, if
| were to offer it,; they. know very we'll
that they could not take care of themselves.
declare to you, the lazy dogs are eating
me out of house and home they are u
mere bill OF expense. The masters are
The ones TO be pitied. You have had your
ears filled with stories about cutting up
backs and washing them with brine, till
you really believe them. But assure
you it is very unusual thing 10 find
cruel master; public opinion among US
frowns on such man. For my part.
am so afraid of getting a bad name with
my neighbors, that never fog my boys,
Ieven when they are as impudent as the
-. If they are too obstre2erous, al
ways colitriyes to get rid of the job Of
Furnishing, by selling them to severe
master. 81. Is . i. 49, 1s..e-
| Northerner. 1t must be confessed that
is a very unsel6sh arrangement, and one
that shows singular regard for the we'll,
that YOU do not lacerate their bodies, do
Eyou call it no cruelty to condemn thou
sands of men to total ignoranceP To
visit them with the severest penalties for
trying to learn to read and writel
) Southerner. You do not make allow
ance for the peculiarly of our situation
If we suffered them 10 learn to read and
write, they would write passes and free
papers 10 enable them to run away.
| Northerner. thought you said, just
now, that they did not want their freedom,
and would not take it, if they could2
J SoutAerner, (rsddening.} Oh. some Of
t them would, of course They are gen.
orally we'll contented; but there are al
: ways restless spirits everywhere, you
: know. -szs .s-.... ..- 49,. ...
No'therner. am aware OF that; but
J these fen Discontinued spirits seem to give
you more trouble than is usual in other
: forms of society; else why are patrols
e marching about the live-long night? Why
i must you write pass, every time you
!; want an GRAND done? Why must you
/. imprison man for learning his letters
D Why must rifles be kept loaded, and
Y hounds trained2 But I will not crowd
II upon you too close. with troublesome
e Questions will admit, for the sake OF
/, talk, that the slaves are generally con-
e tented, and most masters kind. But re-
e fleet moment upon the system, and you
W will see that kind master is but lucky
IN accident. You may have faithful servants,
e who have lived with you for years, and
$; your attachment may De mutual but In
III case OF your death. they are liable TO pass
h into the hands of hard.hearted heirs, and
is severe creditors. they are deprived o.
e, The power to make the best bargain fol-
lie themselves, as free laborers can. r....
os Southeraer. I would provide for such
contingency. would prepare papers Of
Il manumission, for those who had been good
ut and faithful servants. " .eg ..
to No1therner. But you said freedom
ut was the greatest curse that cotiid be be.
to slowed upon slave. Would you bestow
i'll a curse upon them. for good and faithful
is service? | am aware that you have the
n example of your legislators, whu confer
freedom on slave, for "meritorioas ser.
Ist vice rendered to the State" A most crue
I'D and ungrateful proceeding. if your state
an ment be correct.
w Southerner. It is useless to talk with
you. You can not comprehend the stat.
an Of things. But rail as you will al the
| South, can tell you that the worst slave
an holders on earth are the Yankees.
always prefer to hire a northern oyerseer
n and so do most of my neighborsi for We
be are sure to find him severe enough C
e. keep the darkies 10 order. ... j.
ne NortheTneT. L recolleet YOU told me
Ill that public opinion among you frowned
u upon cruelty. and [ see il plainly. as 9