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

1t is probably known to most of the
readers Of the Advocate, that three young
men are lying in the Mo. Penitentary,
for the alleged crime of Offering to assist
certain slaves to escape from bondage.
They have already lain there Two years,
and according 10 their sentence have ten
more to remain. They are young men
of excellent moral character, and their
letters and poetical efusions from their
cells, give the strongest evidence of exaIt-
ed piety, and spirit ofresi gnalion worthy
of the martyr age. Like the apostles
formerly they seem to rejoice that they
are counted worthy to suffer shame for
the name Of Christ.
Have we not duty 10 perform in re.
gard TO these prosecuted young men
Shall we suffer them 10 linger out their
twelve long years imprisonment, without
making a single effort for their relief?
Shall we permit these noble young men,
one of whom has wife and children, to
spend the best, and perhaps all their re.
naming days within the gloomy walls Of
a slave state prison, for merely offering 10
perform an act of humanity and mercy,
without interposng all the moral power
we may possess? The single case of John
L. Brown shook considerable portion
of the civilized world and thousands upon
thousands eager copyrighted on the
other side of The broad Atlantic, to express
their detestation of a sentence by which
that young man was condemned 10 death
for performing an act of humanity and
shall moi the condition of these three young
men, doomed 10 twelve long years of i'm
prisonment, for offering 10 poin. the VIC
Tins of oppression, to the star of freedom,
arouse our sympathies2 Shall we not
raise the voice of solemn remonstrance
against the inhuman transaction from one
end of the Union 10 The other? Shall We
not set another ball in motion, as in the
Brown case, which shall roll over the
whole length of the land, and across the
mountain waves of the great deep, till the
concentrated influence of humanity and
Christianity the world over, shall speak
in voice that shall reach from, sea to
sea, and from the rivers 10 the ends Of the
earth, proclaiming 10 the guilty tyrant
that every man has an equal right 10 his
liberty-that it is no crime for the slave to
escape from bondage, nor for freeman to
assist him in his escape, and that TO pun
ish men for such acts, is open rebellion "a
gainst the laws of Jehovah!
The Cambridge City Anti-slavery Soci.
ETY. has had the subject before it and the
proceedings will be found in another COL
umn. 1t has been concluded TO call, a
meeting of conference on the case in
this village on the 9Th of next month at
8 o'clock p. M. That time has been
chosen as it will afford an opportunity fox
many persons 10 be present, who may feel
interested, from different parts of the
country, ii being in the time of the Year
ly Meeting of A. S. Friends. 1t is hoped
that all who feel for those in bonds, as
bound with them, of all parties, sects. de-
nominations and colors will come togelh>
er 10 take into consideration this very i'm
portant subject. Let US not be found lack
ing in the discharge of our duty, though
we may have but little hope Of procuring
the release of these young men by our
remonstrances. 1t is by faithful per.
Torrance OF our duty that we must dis
charge ourselves from the responsibility.
Let US remember the solemn language
IL was in prison and We visited me moi"
and inasmuch as We did it not TO one Of
the least Of these my brethren, We did it
not to me. "-Free Labor Advocate