Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-12-14
/" Affair of HoaoT.

Island. on Tuesday, between two young
bloods of our city: Samuel Thurston,
aged fifteen, and William Hiae, aged
thirteen years. They were attended by
young gentlemen of the same age. The
weapons used on the occasion. were a
couple Of Dickson's best rifles; the dis
lance, thirty yards. They took one fire,
without any damage being sustained by
either party. except the ball of rhurston's
gun passing through the crown of Hines
hat Through The intercession of The
Board of Honor, the challenge was with.
drawn, and The difference amicably adjust
ed"
flhe reader will picture TO himselfthe
kind OF Board Of Honor which amlcaby
adjusted the difference between these two
liule boys. who in any other part Of the
world would have been amicabIy adjusted
on two porters' backs and sound!y logged
with birchen rods. he will be possessed,
no doubt. with as strong sense Of its lu-
jdicrous character, as that which sets me
laughing whenever its image rises up be-
fore me.
Now, appeal to every human mind,
imbued with the commonest of common
sense, and the commonest Of common hu-
manity; to all dispassionate. reasoning
creatures, OF any shade Of opinion; and
ask. with these revolving evidences of the
state Of society which exists in and about
the slave districts of America before them,
can they have doubt of The real condi-
ton OF the slave, or can they for mo-
ment make compromise between the in
stitution or any Of its fragrant fearful fea.
lures. and their own just consciences
Will they say Of any tale of cruelty and
horror. however aggravated in degree,
that it is improbable. when they can turn
10 the public prints. and. running. read
such signs as these. laid before them by
the men who rule the slaves: in thei:
own acts and under their own hands?
Do we not know that The worst deform.
lily and uglness of slavery are at the
cause and the effect Of the reckless license
taken by these freeborn outlaws?
Do We not know shat the man who ha:
been born and bred among its wrongs
who has seen in his childhood husbands
obliged at the word Of command to fog
their wives; women, indecenlly compelI
ed to hold up their own garments tina
men might lay the heavier stripes upor
their legs, driven and harried BY brutal
overseers in their time Of travail, and be
coming mothers on the field of toll. unde
the very lash itself; who has read il
youth. and seen his virgin sisters read de
scriptions OF runaway men and women
and their disigured persons, which coulc
not be published elsewhere, of so much
stock upon farm. or al show Of beasts
do we not know that that man, when
ever his wrath is kindIed up, will be
= brutal savsgef DO we not know that a
he is coward in his domestic life, stalk
ing among his shrinking men and womel
slaves armed with his heavy whip, so hs
will be coward out of doors, aud carry
ing towards weapons hidden in his breas
will shoot men down and stab them whe
he luarres2 And if our reason did ne
: teach US this and much beyond if W
were such idiots as 10 close our eyes t
: that fine mode of training which rears U
i such men should we not know that the
. who among their equals stab and pistol j
! the legislative halls, and in the counting
i house. and on the market-place, and in a
The elsewhere peaceful pursuits of Inf
must be to their dependents, even thong
they were free servants, SO many mere
: less and unrelenting tyrants %
!, What shall we declaim against II
|, ignorant peasantry OF Ireland, aud mine
y the matter when these American taskmas
a. ers are in question! Shall we cry shan
y on the brutality Of those who hamstrir
., cattle: and spare the lights Of Freedo
o. upon earth who notch the ears OF men oil
women. cut pleasant posies in the shrin
ing flesh, learn 10 write with pens Of n
hot iron on the human face, rack the
ne poetic fancies for liveries OF muiilalit
III which their slaves shall wear for life al
TX carry 10 the grave, break living limbs
ne did the soldiery who Knocked and 81.
C. the Savior of the world, and set defenc
- - less creatures up for targets!
- Shall we whimper over legends Of /
,ls tortures praclised on each other by 1
-, Pagan Indians. and smile upon he cru
II ties OF Christian menl Shall we, so lo
- as these ;hings last exuli above the SC
tered remnants of that stately race, a
triumph in the white enjoyment Of tn
in broad possessions? Rather. for me,
on store the forest and the Indian village !;
in lieu Of stars and stripes. let some pc
of feather fntler in the breeze; replace
lad streets and squares by wigwams a
no. though the death-song Of a hundl
'6o naughty warriors fill the air. it will
his music to the shrek Of one unhappy sla
ar On one theme. which is commonly
ne, fore our eyes. and in respect OF which
ter national character is changing fast let
ar plain Truth be spoken. and let us Lot,
al dastards. beat about the bush by hint
af the Snania-d and tha 6nrca Itali