Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-10-25

But farther nVeStigalon CouFlHO0" nv vi ny
mistake. saw that slavery was creature OF law
and as such, was dependant for its existence, on
the will of the people, as expressed through the
ballot box. Aud saw no reason why that medl-
um which operated so powerfully in sustaining
slavery, might not be made equally so in abolish
ing it.
1t was apparent to me, that if the freemen of
the naten were to exercise the elective franchise
10 opposition to slavery, it would soon he at an
end. No power on earth could possibly sustain
it, | could not therefore avoid the conclusion,
that the criminaIity of the whole system, rested
with the men who sustain slavery at the ballot box
Shareholders, VINO have so often been denounced as
sinners abeye all men, with all their whips, letters
and chains, were only, Gas an executive depart
ment,) carrying out the will Of the people, as ex-
pressed through the ballot box
Viewing things in this light, Mr.. President, ]
= could not we'll avoid being suspicious Of that kind
of aboItonism which turned aside from the ballot
box, and could but regard it essentially defect
Woodworking the mind from the true point at is
. sue it became IA channel through which the adj
vocates of the no-government, no-church, no sab
BATH and nobible doctrines, were enabled to prop
i agate their principles to an extent hitherto IN
d known in the history of our country Missing the
only true point at issue, it seemed to rush aWless-
e y through the land, spending its force in making
- war upon every institutions whether civil or re-
ii gious that fell in its way thereby breaking assun-
N der regardless of consequences all those ties by
l. which society was held together. To remedy this
Is state ofthings the friends ofaw and religion la
TO bored but in vain, until they organized themselves
lie into Liberty party.
By this movement, having freed themselves from
e, all connection with these disorganizers, leaving
~ them to stand upon their merits, they have
| Ivy making the ballot box bond Of union, rally
NJ ing point so connected themselves as to becom
Ia as noted for unanimty as they had previousl!
,e- been for the want Of it.
NJ From the commencement of this new movement
III viewing things as did, could but be favorabl
TO it. Though not much in favor Of new expert
ments--us we could hardly have change for tn
worse thought it possible that we might hav
one for the better
There remained, however, one question in m
mind, one which the resolution under consider;
NJ ton conemplates, yet to be settled, the right di
position OF which seemed to settle the point, whet
,ch err the Liberty party was right or wrong.
the IT, in accordance with the resolution, it could
u made to appear that slavery violates the constiu
ton rs well as the law Of God, SEE no ground
objection to the Liberty party.
S'- Finally, being ignorant of demonstration itse
having formed my judgement from the opinio
Ter of others, was inclined to beIive that slavery W
pT,l l.
OF with the public mind, and ascertaining that me
To people were as ignorant Of the constitution m
eaK SELF they having formed their opinions in the sal
Ca way, did not feel very sangujne in my faith
found that most people were as ignorant of t
I'M great charter Of their liberties the papiss are
:, the scriptures, and were disposed, for the M
'un- part to treat it in the same way. But few
ever read it, or knew what it contained, it bel
der for the most part, committed in trust for 81
nee. keeping, to a few shareholders, who, kind
and political priesthood, were considered the only Il
r the expounders, the common people acquesc
be- therein with all humility.
ents, Believing that the constitution is of no priv
own unconventional it was designed to he knC
le and read, and understood of all men, | have
nber the presumption to carefully examine it for
rove self Aud with all Difference for public opni
way and for the opinions of men in high places, b
nned at last, formed an opinion of my own.
In l776, on the nations birth day, the repres
IF OIL tatiycs of these United States, Sin the of
are people, relying on Divine Providence for pro
ct' ton, and appealing to the Supreme Ruler of
ana world for the recttude Of their intentions, ad
us Ell ed the following Declaration the creed Of
nation awe hold these truths to be set-evd
men that all men are created equal, that they are
that dowed by their Creator with certain inalen
t the rights that among these life, liberty and
e, by pursuit of happiness' And to sustain this dc
les 10 ton, they mutually pledged to each other,
was lives their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
there this declaration, which was so solemnly made
ID, she in defence of which, much blood and trea
SOFA was spent was disannuled, and made of no Ell
by the adoption of constitution, in which wa
tlnued corporated system ofsayery, the vest that
ons IN saw the SUM- ought not to be believed withou
if de- most positive and unequivoca evidence, and
ork to evidence as have yet been unable to fnd
me TO pears to me, that the representatives OF the
lost OF pe could not perpetrae such an act wIthou
't'on OF trayng the trust that was reposed in them
duty, without violating what was then known to b
} COM expressed creed of the nation
preach And as the Declaration of independence