Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-08-30
Liberty in Detroit,

We learn by the Signal of Liberty, that JAS. G..
BIRNEY has been speaking with great effect in De-
trot. He was engaged in discussion with Judge
Plat Attorney of the state, and strong Clay IMAM.
The Signal gives the following interesting account
of this discussion.
ment, DR.. Pitcher, president fthe Clay Club, pre-
sided in connection with Mr.. HaIIock president
of the Liberty Association. This large hall was
densely filled. Mr.. Patt commenced at half past
seven o'clock, occupying an hour. Mr. BERey
followed for the same time Mr.. Platt replied in
fifteen minutes, and Mr.. Birney did the same
The uttermost order and decorum prevailed. The
debaters well the presiding officers did all in
their power to restrain every expression of feeling,
but occasionally bnrsts of applause would be evO-
ked by some heart-strring appeal. No disapprO-
baton, however, was manifested, but the good Or
der and gentemanly department., which charac-
erizeDetroit secured to each speaker decorous at
tenon. 1t is due to Mr.. Plat to state that he
conducted his part in handsome and gentleman
y manner. He was courteous-and even compli-
mentary to the moral and intellectual standing Of
Mr.. Birney,-pad just tribute of respect to tho
intentions of the Liberty party, from wbons hs diff
fered but in their mode of action; and used the
language of mildness and reason. His arguments
were candid, and were urged with all the force
of which they were capable; they were plausible,
ingenious, and well selected; that they were aos
stronger is not Mr.. Platt's fault. They were the
best of those put forth by his party, and were we'll
sustained. They failed because of their inherena
weakness
That they did fail, and that those Of Mr.. Birney
prevailed is admitted, believe by all Of every
party, but certainly bv decisive majority even Of
the Wings present. 1t does Mr.. Plat no discred-
it to say. that the subject of slavery, he was IN
able to meet james G. Birney.
Mr.. Birney's effort was of the happiest natures
probably the best he ever made-the most power
FIJI oo11
heard from him. His language was miId-clear
and of the most the most classical purity.-His
action was in strict keeping with his sub ect; his
reasoning was Ineligible and convincing. At
times he to the highest pitch of the most pure
eloquence, thrilling every nearer no less with the
nobleness of his subject, than the appropriate
beauty of his language. He rose with his theme;
and as he descanted upon the Buffalo resolution,
respecting the constitutional provision for surren-
dering fugitive slaves; as he dwet upon the ON
impotence of Gods law-of the awful daring of
man who egislates against it-as he portrayed the
inlquity of slavery-the stripes and lashes Of the
task master-the escape of the slave at last-the
pursut-the recapture-the mocking claim, that
the fugitive OoCes service-he carried with him, his
whole audience, and burst of universal applause
proclaimed that party feelings for once fled before
the more generous sympathies of the American.
When Mr.. Birney closed, a voice in the crowd
called ''three cheers for Birney;" it was heartily
responded to and though many hundred ofpo-
litca opponents were present, not sound Of dis
appreciation mingled with this tribute of respect
Says a voice in the crowd, "GIve me Polk first,
Birney next.''
The Editor of the Signal, was in Detroit few
days after, and says that there men of all parties
and conditions, from senators, judges and states
men, down to the class that hold political discus
sons in the grocery, were unanimous in the opin-
ion that Mr. Brney's vindication of the principle
and policy of the Liberty party, against the char
ges ably preferred by Mr.. Platt, full, salts
factory, complete ard triumphant.
During his stay in Detroit our friend Brney
lectured on the position of the Democratic party
with relation to slavery, and showed in most i'm
pressive manner, the inconsistency OF the party
with their own principles. The doings ofthe Bal
timoru convention exposed and a strong ap-
peal was made to the members of the party, who
disliked slavery and annexation and respected de-
mocracy, to unite with the Liberty party-the
true democratic party Of the country.