The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-08-22
For the Voice Of Freedom,
To Hon. Solomon Foot.

speech at the late Wing Mass meeting u
Manchester, which | had not the honor
10 hear,you spoke of the District and Ben
nington County Liberty Conventions
resolutions passed al the same town last
June; touching your action in Congress
on slavery. as being UNDERSIGNED, SLAM
derous and false; that you imputed them
to the undersigned, on whom you btstow-
ed some honorable vituperation and that
you have since threatened to avenge your
self upon him by personal violence 10
case you meet him before election he
has presumed TO address you, through
the press, the following note,
He desires you 20 understand, he has
with you no personal controversy, being
an entire stranger, g. having never spoken
with you; but beng one of your con-
stltuents-(a voter in the LIST Congress
sional Dislrict) who pay the sum Of 90,
per day to serve them at Washington
who last fall, through their Representa-
tives at Montpelier, requested you TO fuse
your best endeavors' 10 secure the aboIi.
ton Of slavery in our land to accomplish
which you so abundantly pledged your
self at the time of your nomination in
1913 he simply claims the right in
common with his fellow citizens, to ex-
press freely his opinions on the official
conduct of his hired servant. He is not
aware, that, as an individual, you would
be of sufficient importance to claim any
special notice But as national Repre-
sentative, il is otherwise. Your acts be-
come laws which every man is obliged to
obey your neglect of duty. also, mag
fasten upon the nation the most calling
yoke 1t is therefore, every mans duty
10 watch you narrowly and faithfully TO
expose your faults. and Notwithstanding
you may denounce the undersigned as
THE Rev. Vagabond" and threaten TO
"wring his nose, if you meet him before
election" he will not be frightened from
wha, he thinks duly,-but you must an
swer for it to The people.
You Sir, though ever SO naughty &
overbearing, are but a public servant.-
You need not put on southern airs Il strut
& threaten. All your official acts are
public property. Every man has the
rig BIT to criticise them. They are 10 be
approved or condemned by your employ
crs. The most humble s. obscure man In
the District is bound in duty freely to
canvass them ; and you are bound In
justice, the spirit Of republicanism and
your relation TO your continents as
Representative, not to blus'er denounce
s. threaten, but 10 seek the welfare ofeve'
ny man you represent. You are not our
master. 1t is mol your prerogative TO
dictate 10 US how we shall receive your
acts. It is our business 10 Judge of these
matters; and, if we think proper TO re-
move you and supply your place by an
other.
1t is true, Liberty men may misuse you !;
whether or not they have, remains to
be seen. The facts in the case are these.
First, wher nominated to your present
post, YOU made most satisfactory speech
against slavery, and pledged yourself to
carry out the spirit of it at Washington,
if YOU should be elected. Your political
friends in the District made much use OF
this to induce the abolitionists 10 vote for
you, and in many instances with success,
Second,--the legislature at its last session
passed the following resolutions, Viz.
Resolved, That we regard the aboli'
tiou of slavery in the District of Colum'
bia & Territory Of Florida, as within the
province and Constitutional power OF Con.
gress, and that we urge upon that body
the propriety Of its speedy abolition in
that District and Territory,