The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-11-30

It's forms - depiorlng It's existence, zeal
ously seeking 10 break its chains, when
the disruption would not endanger the
peace and happiness OF The slaves them
selves, as well as their masters, and to
soften its asperiles by all the means with
in his reach. Then, as now, he regarded
the sanctty OF law and the well being of
society, as considerations of the hig hest
poftance-and the first as the sole con-
dilion OF the last"
"All these considerations had the same
weight with Mr.. Clay in 1897 as they
have ever exered since, and the plan Of
relief 10 which he then gave his ardent
support, and which he still regards as
upon the whole the safest and the best.
embraced them all in its provisions. 1t
proposed that the generation then in bond.
age should so remain; bat that all their
offspring, born after the passage Of the
law, should receive their freedom or ar
irving at a certain age; and made it the
duty Of their masters to give them, in the
mean time, such instruction as should fit
them for the contemplated change in their
condition"
This plan of emancipation does not
fully accord with my views OF justice, and
feelings of humanity. l; would seem
that immediate justice should be done TO
this oppressed race. But anything is
better than perpetual sIaverN And after
all, when We consider the power of the
individual States, separate from the gen.
eral government, over this evil, is it not
the only safe way the object can be effect
ed? When We realize the selfshness- Of
man, we must expect bat rare instances
of giving up what they consider their
property, however unjustly acquired and
retained, and estimated as properly. Men
are more willing to leave it 10 their heirs
to do justice, than to do it themselves,
hen a sacrifice OF property
must he made TO do it. Pennsylvania & N.
York have given as noble examples and
have succeeded we'll on this plan. Expe-
rience confirms the wisdom of thus put
ting full end to the evil. Wise men of
our own country, franklin and others
originated this plan, and wise legislators
have approved and adopted it with sue
cess in every instance. And can any one
dsapprove this course? This kind OF
political and egisative action is peaceful,
safe, and thorough. And may we not
say with Mr.. Cay, "om tile qchole Tie
best" The interests of the South are
so fully interviewer with slavery, that we
can not expect an immediate emancpa-
ton Of their slaves, and it can not be done
by Congress, unless they wholly disre-
gard the reserved rights Of the States, III
attempted by force, civil war is ineyita-
bic, and the downfall of the Union must
follow, and the strongest will bear away
the victory. | am no prophet, nor son of
a prophet; but will venture 10 predict,
that when American Slavery ceases, t
will be done by State after State, gradu-
ally emancipating their slaves, or by a
civil war between the North & the South.
In one of these two ways it will be done,
if done at all. Every phiIonthropist will
prefer the former course and deeply dep
recate the latter. The great question
with Northern men should be, by what
means shall we be most likely to infu-
ence our Southern friends 10 adopt the
former course2 Can we do it by holding
hem up 10 the scorn Of the world or BY
saying all manner of evil against them
Or by raising up third party in politics,
and thus distract the counsels of the ma
ion, which is already too much excited
Certainly in none Of these ways can the
object ever be accomplished, Oar great
strength has, and always will BE-, in calm
aud candid appeals to their moral strength,
md sense of justice. Aud especially to
hat Being who alone can effect the heart,
lnd bring good Cut of evil. We must
convince the master that we seek his
good, as well as liberty to his capives.-
When we have once gained bis conf
!ence, we can successfully say to him,