Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-01-25


tlanity. But of the numbers who feel that
the state, when il calls upon us BY its club
law, lis mere brigand right of strong arm,
to support guns aud bayonets, murderous
armies and navies, legislators, judges, goal
ers, executloners, teachers, SC. &C., no one
has yet, II seems, ven;ured to act upon the
conviction and passiyely endure the conse
quences, whatever they might be, of faith
ful adherence 10 principle. Il is often said
that in condition Of society where one is
obliged to let pass so much that is immoral,
II is not worth while TO undergo 50 much
inconvenience as close imprisonment on
account Of state persecution. H.. ..
Very different to this however has been
the feeling of brother Alcott of Concord,
and being convinced that the payment of
the town tax involved principles and prac-
ices most degrading and injurious to man.
he had long determined not 10 be volun-
tary party 10 its continuance. Last year,
by the leniency of the collector in pre-
paying the dollar and half, the question was
not brought to issue, and The humble instru-
ment of the state only was vanqushed in
SO far as he declared the law too base for
him TO execute. This year step further
has been gained. .....:.-" -. II a..
By the system Of putting up the collect
or's Office 10 public auction, and accepting
the man who will do the dirty work for the
lowest per centage, the town is pretty sure
TO secure the services Of The most suitable
Instrument Of its tyranny. When the c,i-
zens generally shall take the trouble to look
into the law and the circumstances Of this
affair, they will shudder at The slavery 10
which they subject themselves, and the
sooner they do SO tie better, for greater. OPP
pressions than any they have thrown off
have grown from smaller beginnings. 49,
This year a collector was appointed who
could execute the law, and although no
! doubt it went hard with him TO snatch a
man away from his home, from bis wife,
| from the provision aud education Of his lit.
tie children, in which latter he found him
serenely engaged, he nevertheless did it.
He witnessed with his own eyes the little
hasly preparations to attend him to the gaol,
the packing up few personal conveniences
! to ward off the inclemencies of the season,
and yet, with no higher authotiry than the
general warrant in his pocket which, with
out particular investigation, trial, or inquiry,
hands over. the liberty of every townsman
10 his discretion, be took fellow citizen,
an unofending man, as be confessed, to a
! long confinement. *.=.~ .. -.
To the county gaol therefore Mr.. Alcotl
went, or rather was forced by the benignanr
state and its delicate instrument. Probably
the authorities anticipated thar if they show
ed rigid determination to enforce this old
and monStrous power that weakness would
be discovered somewhere, that dome site
attractions would be too potent, that wife or
friend would interfere and pay the money.
But they were mistaken. A virtuous man
is not likely to be surrounded by friends
who would persuade him to desert con-
science and turn his back upon moral prin-
ciPles just at the trying moment. In This
case, at all event2, no one was unWiSe
enough so to act. 49, ..:.... d.
Having worked up to this point, il ap-
pears the enemy's courage failed. The
constable collector having brought his vic
i'm TO the gaol, the next step was to fnd
the gaoler, who appeared TO be not at home.
A considerable delay ensued, during which
the prisoner Of course waited patiently; and
after nearly two hours had thus been passed
the constable announced that he no longer
had right TO detain his caption. On in,
curing how that happened, he said that
| both tie tax and cost had been paid. TIC
The question by whom the payment had
been made, be replied by naming gentle.
man who may be regarded, and who would
willingly be regarded, as the very personii
cation of the state. Though no one would
deny whatever share of friendship there
might be in the act, yet considering the cir
cumslances. the person (himself candid
ale for Congress at the present time, and
the point to which the proceedings had been
carried, there can be nc doubt that tie pay
ment was as much political as moral.
Ia these facts, humble as the individual
and the incidents may appear, We have a
wide and deep subject for reflection which
trust you will not permit 10 pass in a bar
rem manner. This acl Of non resistance
YOU will perceive does not rest on the plea
| Of poverty. For MIR. Alco,t has always
! supplied some poor neighbor with food and
clothing to much higher amount than bis