The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-05-09

they owed Him allegiance, they could not
deny. Honor, consistency, nay decency
demanded, that they should support His
claims, that they should stand up in the
face of any form OF opposition and sustain
Ills authority. TO this one object their
faith required them to make every thing
subservlent. And every disciple of the
Savior had sacred claim to their counte,
nance and assistance. Rulers as they
were, how powerfully might they not
contribute to the common objects TO which
all Christians were devoted ! Their
poorer, feeber brethren might well ex'
pect to fad in them prop and shield.
But alas while they believed in the Saw
ior, they refused 10 confess Him. Nothing
could induce them to express their faith 10
corresponding practice. What now shall
be done for their benefl2 How can their
cooperation be secured ? What argu'
mems will you employ2 They are be-
levers already! AS much so as your
selves You must leave them uncom'
milted. Whatever may be your strugg les
and exposures. you must let them main
tain their neutrality, They aolU see yo~
crucifed before they aoiU ou0~ Themselves
Nor must they be denounced. On no !
They are with you in principle. 1t is
only on the ground of measures, that they
choose to stand aloof. Thus they throw
themselves as a dead weight upon the al
ready burdened shoulders OF their breth-
rem Thus it has always been-lhuS it
continues 10 be. As an illustration, take
the position of many Of our countrymen
in The Anti'slavery controversy. The
question TO be settled was, Shall the prin.
ciples of the Gospel be applied 10 the con-
dltion OF the sIave2 Shall the murderous
falsehood, which the chatlel principle as
serts, be exposed2 Shall the slave be
permitted TO enjoy his inalienable rights,
10 WELD his God-given prerogalives?-
Shall his manhood be acknowledged 3
Shall he be projected from lntolerab!e in
suits and killing injuries Shall he be
free to appropriate what the Savior has
purchased for his benefit? Shall he be
encouraged and assisted III lreadiog the
heavenly palhway-ln seeking everlasI-
ing repose in the bosom OF his Father
Or shall we continue TO lrample on the
image of God impressed upon his person ?
And treat man as a chatel And
maintain a system of legalzed theft, adu-
tery and murder2 And hold ourselves
up to the execration of mankind as band
of hypocriles, and knaves, and cut-lhroats ?
And our religion as piece Of pries'crat,
which even highwaymen and asslssns
might well spurn as beneath their notice L?
And expose ourselves to the witherlng
dispeasure Of Almighty Code
Such were the questions, which it was
the design of the anti-slavery controversy
10 settle. And almost every body pro
fessed TO be friendly 10 the slave. Voices
on every hand exclaimed, To be sure, we
regard him as man entitled to all the
privileges and prerogatlves which belong
10 our common humanity. He is griev.
ousIy oppressed; and we abhor oppres-
sion. 10 tyranny under all its forms, we
have been opposed ever since We knew
the meaning of the word. But from
prompt and decisive action we must oe ex,
cused. Circumstances alter cases. Slave.
ry has intertwined itself with all the f.
bres of the body polite. 1t has inslnual.
ed itself into all the relations we sustain.
Il has affected all our institutions, and en-
tered more or less vitality into all our ar
engagements. Il is a disturbing force, for
which every party in politics and every
sect in religion must make provision. -
We must then be careful what we do
Our reputation, our influence, our pros
poets, all these dear and sacred things de-
mand of US the utmost prudence, caution,
circumspection, And as the open friends
of Freedom on the one hand and its open
foes on the other often express themselves
rashly and recklessly, why should net we
keep silence?
And why should we join the standard,
which the avowed friends Of Freedom
have set ups Both in Church and
State, what are they but contemplate
minority! What can they effect 10 OPP.
position to well organized and determined
majorities? What lack of discretion
should we not beray to attempt with
force so feeble to resist the stream of pub
lie sentiment! We must be allowed a
little time for reflection before we venture
on so doubtful an experiment.
Besides among existing sects and par
ties, are we not entitled to choice? All
may be radically defective where the
claims of Freedom are to be maintained.
All may lend their influence, directly or
indirectly, TO crush oppressed Humanity
But then there are other interests. 10
these the welfare Of our country is more
or less involved And does moi Humanity,
Patriotism, the Gospel itself require US to
join that party, provided it be powerful,
which, though guilty of the sin OF slavery,
bids fairest at least in some respects 10 do
good service to the republic!