Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-09-08
Wl!E.lly-B!s PRESS



To the Editor of the people's Press;
have just now, for the first time, seen the follow
ing letter from our excellent friend Mt Perkins-whc
ma. lately left tho United States to resume his II, ssior
~ rersil- on the subject of American Slavery. II
mas reached me IN an Extra of the Anti Snvcry Re-
porter in which several letters from mis- sonories
on the subject Of Slavery. send You the letter for
publication believing that 1t will be read with much
interest oy the numerous friends Of Mr.. Perkins in
ms vicinity and trusting that the respect and atirc-
t9n 50 universally felt for him here as well as eesc.
where VIII give the sentiments it contains passport
- my hearts, which might be much less impressed
bic quarter.
10 me It is very interesting to oh crve the impress.
son which American Slavery makes upon the minds
good men IN other parts nf the world, and especi-
nliy upon the missionaries who have gone fort. iiom
anidnr u.s. Deeply inhued by the prit of their Di-
vine VI 'steT, and far removed from everything like
party excitement upon the subject Of slavery, though
well acquainted with the nature and extent offs evils
,ne'r ophlons N regird u It would seem to be pocu.
hiily entitled to consideration and respect This is
ehlnentiy true, rs you ana T. and this community
knjw, with regard 10 Mr.. Perkins, whose well in
Formed ana well balanced mind sound principles and
red phlanthropy can not fail TO inspire strong con-
hielce in his opinions on this subject.
The letter of Mr.. Perkins makes, it seems to me-
vcrysirong appeal To those who take a active inter-
est IN the subject ol foreign missions. Sympathiz
ing as they of course do. in the depression and dis
cturng 'nenis Of III Dse who have left home and coun-
Wy 10 preach Christ among the henihen, how can
they remain nnmovoi when they see them-to use
the language OF Mr.. Perkins 'goldcd' by the taunts
of foreigners VINO point them to American Slavery,
that foul blot of inconsistency, which mars the
eschtchcon of our republican glory Mr.. Perkins is
not the only man who has had occasion feel as an
American mlssonary the repronch of American >l1vc
ry, and deprecate It's pernlcOuS influence upon efforts
TO convert the heather to religion of love and good
VIII TO man. We may well suppose that those 10
whom Americans preach religion which enloins the
dong To others as we would they should do to u.s.
and the remembering of those in bonds bound with
hn GiUt Ia
tency OF slavery with such n religion, nor backward
u meet the ell ,ris Ia convert them to tho Christian
faith, with the scorching rcuke Physician, heal thy
eeli II we would spare our missionaries the pain of
euch rebuke let us rouse ourselves from apathy
on the subject OF slavery and do something to aid in
bahlshine 1t from our conntty.
Does any Christian ask-whnt have we at the
North, 10 do with saveryl Let him read the letter
OF Mr. Perkins and then answer the question him.
self II he has something to do with ii in Persia,
have we nothing to do with it here If his heart is
rrevet with It's abomnaiions while looking at them
from the Others side Of the globe, shall we remain I'M
moyedl If he in his attachment TO America is-to
use his own angnago TITLED with solcitude for its
honor and its safety, while this mons,rous olIsprinp
and curse sim unparalleled in enormity in all Christ
endom, II not IN the whole world continues to be
practised and tolerated. shall we fold our arms in
cola indifference and RAISE no vol ,e of condemnation
ana rebuke OF this great niquity? Is not the honor
and safety of our country dear us as our mis-
elonary in Persia docs he feel constrained to ex-
clan-"Aner!ca must ,ink slavery, slavery will
eHn America; ana snail we make no effort to shake
the mil stone weight from the neck of countryf
Shall slavery sink America, and we not 20 DOWN.
There Is one part OF Mr. Perkins letter which can
not suffer to pass without expression of my hearty
concurrence refer to the expression of the pain he
feels IN observing 'the heat and vlperaton which
nave characterized too much Of the discussion on the
SUBJECT OF slavery and his slll greater pain at the
appalling apathy in regard 10 the terrible evil of slave
fy that pevades the great of the ministers and
christians and people of America and prevents them
from dong anything, and seems 10 nerve them with
an almost desperate determination do anything
Tor lis removal" Much our good friend was erev-
ed with tho vltuperaton to which he refers he did not
hesitate to say that he grieved with the an
pallng apathy manifested by ministers and christians
upon the subject. DO not wonder he was more |
etieVed.Cthe apathy is Appalling. Three millions of
s.tces (thlnk of that word y in the United States
Three millions! Why dozen Of our white country |
men IN slavery in Algers would excite this nation al
most to phrenzy; and yet how little feeling is pro-
dnced by the slavery which crusles three millions in
the BOSOM OF our own country What has become of
with them p Is it not in the Bible that lies upon
every mans table and whose benevolent spirit ought |
to al every mans heart! And shall it produce no |
feeling. and the nlierance Of no renonsrance in be-
nan OF Inc millions OF our countrymen upon whom
these onds are fastened Il there nothing to 10 said
and nothing TO he done because there arc those who
IN our opinion, say and do too much? Is all our be-
nevolence to evaporate in fnling fault with what we
Deem their excessive zeal on this subject If their |
way Is wrong IS there no right wayl Shall we hold |
our peace because there those whose zeal seems to
10 anu nlfuli III we would moderate |
that zeal, let us exhibit the true Zeal To hold our
peace utterly. is to provoke the very ntempcrnnce we
condemn. Such undenaby has been the effect of the
APATHY Of which Mr. Perkins speaks SO pointedly
Instead Of this apathy, the whole chri, tan communi-
~, should It seems TO me- awake to a consideration
OF this great national evil, and speak out in deep toned
put temperate and steady condemnation ofit.-Look-
ing calmy from his distant position, Mr.. Perkins says
he feels IA deep conviction that it is the solemn duty
OF all who fear God regard man in America to do
something" and that it IS equally his belief that ga
feeling heart for the untold msees of the injured AZ
rican Pervldng even the Christian part of the COM
munty, would not he long in finding out,what that
something is. so think and thinking | send
you Mr.. Perkins excellent letet, hoping that it may
and IN awaklng deeper interest for our oppressed
eounrynen IN tho hearts Of those who profess to rev.
erence the prccepts, and svmpalhize with the heart
OF the Savior of men. There is a great deal TO be
done before this terrible evil is removed from our coun.
try IL must come 10 bear with an inio'erable weight
upon the heart of,he American Church, until it shall
be reused from its apathy" and shall put forth its
whole moral force to banish slavery from our land
and sendt ba;; to the dark regions from whence it
sprung. Wm SLAuE.
June I, lsi3.