The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-02-22

tioniss, and Democratic aboiitionists.
up to the very hour when we saw and acted
upon the necessity and duty ofcarrying our
principles 10 the ballot. box-lhroueh the
seven long weary years of moral suasion
and humble petiton-what were these
men doing2 They maigned us in their
newspapers-they invoked Legislative en-
actmenls against us-they filled the ears
OF Shareholders with base fasehoods res
pecIng us-until the entire South became
one great Lynch Club, wheuing It's Bow
le-knlfe for our threats they bounded on
the feroCious mobs, which hunted for the
lives OF our eclurers, and broke up our
mee'lngs;-in fact The only day of res
pie which they gave US out of the whole
3O5 was that on which we made the Bal
Iot-box our annual obeisance 10 slavery,
aud enjoyed the delectable privilege of
voting our prosecutors into office We'll,
we have made an advance step-we have
twisted off our old party coliars,-we have
drawn deep and broad the lioe between
Slavery aud Freedon in the politics OF
the countfy-we oct as we'll as preach,
we 0ote as well as pray against the slave
lpower-and now what do we see2 Our
old enemies are as active as ever against
US, but taking altogether new position.
They no longer propose to mob our meet
lngS,they no longer regard our petitions as
reasonable. they have given up The idea
OF legislative restrictions upon Freedom
of speech and the Press. Nay, they de.
clare themselves aboIitionisls of the old
moral suasion sort, they are filled with
regret that so holy cause should be sui
lied by politics, they profess 10 occupy the
very ground upon which we stood when
they LEI loose their mobs upon MS. TO
discuss the subject of Slavery is no long
er treason; to pray against it is no longer
sin past repentance. All their indigna
ton is now reserved for those who cole
against 1t. Courage, then, brethren III
the position which we occupied five years
ago is now acknowledged to be right by
the very men who abused US for taking
1t, depend upon it, it will not be long be-
fore they will confess our present position
10 be right also Ears deaf 10 our pray
ers and entrea:ies, are open to The "lefse
rhetoric o. the Ballot O0X,
In the general advance of the Liberty
cause our District has fully borne its part
Two years ago only one out of twenty
| four OF the entire number of voters was
prepared 10 carry our principles to the
Balol-box; at the late November election
we had nearly one in eight, and at the
last trial one in seven. The past TINS
furnishes us strong encouragement for
the future. Having occasioned the call
ing of this Convention, by Withdrawing
my name, under strong conviction that 1
could better subserve the cause by so do
iog, regret that cannot be with you
aud lend my aid in the selection of cam
dIdale for our suflrages. la performing
this important duty fee! assured that you
will see the necessity oflaying aside all
merely personal prejudices and partiali-
Ties, aud of looking ouly 10 the welfare of
a high and holy cause Wo TO US and
tina, cause, if we overlook principle in
contest for men. Let US strike dead lev
ell ia our ranks-let US know no leaders
let us cast down all our party ard secta!i-
an IDOLS let US hold out no paItry parti-
IAN favors as the recompense of labor in a
cause which is 'its own exceeding great
reward"
Liberty-the great interests of humani-
ty-Universal Freedom Who does not
feel his heart glow within him at the
thought OF Iaborng ia such a cause O.
Does it not enlarge our souls and expand
our sympalhies2 Does it not bring US
nearer the great and good OF past ages .
From the damp depths of the dungeon
from the stake and the scafoId-where,
ever The confessors and martyrs of Llber-
ty have sealed their testimony, solemn and
awful voices call upon us to persevere,
and press onward. Weare surrounded by
a cloud of living witnesses. In France,
Ireland, Eng Italy, aud Germany,
wherever the long oppressed millions are
rising up from their debaSement and
Struggling into Freedom. every true and
liberia! heart beats warmly with OURS
Freedom throughout The world is utter
+ ested 10 our struggle. Pure and undehI-
ed Christianity everywhere rejoiceS In
our progress. For TO use the language
of Robert Hall in his glorious defense Of
Christianity as the inseparable friend of
I freedom, he who breaks the letters Of
slavery, and delivers mutton from thraIl-
dom, forms the noblest comment on the
great law of Love" For such a cause,
with such encouragements to action, let
US spare no effort, aud count no sacrifice
too great. Every name added to the list
of Liberty voters, is an additional weight
on that mighty lever of Moral and PoIni.
cal Action which is now under the found.
alton s.one of American oppression. Pile
them on, then, in the name of Humani.
,v let no one hesitate to throw on his
weight and soon, with Gods bessiog,lur-
20, ,rJ b.,,I,poao, re ,bn (o,,l od f., hall !