The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-10-03
October 3, 1914.

be heard in its own person in the hall o
our legislature, and mingle in debat,
there Sir, in every stage of these OPP
pressions and abuses, permit me to say III
The language Of the declaration of indie
pendence-on no language could be
more appropriate-we have petit oned fol
redress Ia the most humble terms, anC
our repeated petitions have been ans.
wered by repeated injury.
WHAT HAVE WE TO DO WITH SLAVERY
A power, whose character is marked
by every act which may define ,yrant,
Is unfit to rule owe: free people. In
our sufferings and our wrongs, we have
besought our fellow citizens to aid US in
the preservation of our constitutional rights
but influenced by the love or gain OF arbi-
lrary power they have sometimes disre'
gnrded all the sacred rights Of man, and
answered ia violence, buvnings. and MUIR
der. After all these transactions, which
nre now of public notorety aud matter OF
record, shall we of the free States taunt-
ing!y be asked, w hat have we TO 40 with
slavery? We should rejoice, indeed if
the evils Of slavery were removed tar from
US, that it could be said with truth, that
we have nothing to with slavery.
Our citizens have not entered its ter
rilories for the purpose of obstruc,ing lis
laws: nor do we wish to do so, nor would
we justify any individual in such act yet
we have been branded and s!igmalized by
its friends and advocates, both in the free
and slave States, as incendiaries. fanatics,
disorganizers, enemies 10 our country, and
as wishing 10 dissolve the Union. We
have borne all this, without complaint or
resistance, aud on y ask to be secure in
our persons, BY our own firesdes, and in
the free exercise OF our Thoughts and
opinions in speaking, writing, printing
and publishing on the subject of slavery,
that which appears 10 us 10 be just and
right; because we all know the power OF
truth. and that i. will ultimately prevail,
in despite of all opposition. But in the ex-
crcisc OF all these righ,s,w we acknowledge |
subj -c,ion to the laws of the State in which
we are, aud our liability for their abuse.
We wish peace with all men; and that
the most amicab!e relations and free in>
tercourse may exist between the citizens
of our State and our peighborng save>
holding States; we will not enter thtir
states, either in our proper persons, or by
commissioner, legislative resolution or
otherwise, 10 interfere with their slave
policy or slave laws; and we shall expect
from them and their citiz-nsa like rc'urn,
that they do not enter our territories for
the purpose Of violating our laws In the
punishment of our people for the exercise
OF their undoub;ed rights the liberty of
speech and of the press on the subject of
We ask that no nan shall be
seized and transported beyond our STATE 10
Of our own laws, and that we
shall no. be carried into and imprisoned
10 aaother state for acls done in our own.
We contcnd that the slaveholding power
"a properly chargeabIe with all the r;ots
and disorders which take place on account
OF slavery. We can live in peace with
all our sister states; itthat power will be
controlled by law, each can exercise and
enjoy the full benefits secured by their
own laws, and this is all we ask. If we
hold up slavery to the view of an impair
tal public as il is, and if such view Gre
ales as,onishment and indignation, surely
we are no! 10 be charged as lbeIlers. A
state institution ought to be considered the
pride no, the shame, OF the state and, if
we fllsify such institutions, the disgrace
ia ours, not theirs. If slavery, however,
is a b'emish, blot, az eating cancer, in
the body polite, it is not our fault il by
holding it up, Others should see IN the
mirror Of truth, it; deformiiy, aud shrink
back from the view. We have not, and
We intend not, to use any wenp ons against
slavery. bu, the moral power Of truth, and
the force Of public opinion. 1--WE enter the
slave states, and tamper with the slave
10 law, punish US; we deserve
it. and if The STAKEHOLDER is found in a
free state, aud is guilty Of a breach Of the
law there, he also ought to be punished.
These petitioners, as far as understand
them, dscaim all right to enter slave
state for the purpose Of intercourse with
the slave. 1t is the master whom they
wish to address and they ask and ought
10 receive protection from the laws, as
they are willing to be judged BY the laws.
We invite into the arena OF public discus
sion in our state, the stakeholder; We are
willing TO hear his reasons and facts IN
favor Of slavery or against abolition we
do not fear his errors while we are our
selves free 10 comblt them. The angry
feelings which in some degree exist be
tween the people of the free and slave
holding states OH account of slavery, are,
in many cases, properly chargeatle 10
those who defend and support slavery.
are almost daily making 20 force
the execution Of slave laws in thefrse
states; at least, their power and principles
s no term is TOO reproachtul to be applied
IN ,tose who resist such acts, and contend |