The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-10-24
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danger, the insitvt on of slavery anl
thus, having laid aside every veg h'' t'
run the race of fre dom and pm lan'hropy
and solid glory which is Sc! before us.
The relation of slavery to he coniedera
cy, the evident danger from he exis ence
of such an element in our Union, aud the
increas no excitement in reg ard 10 it sng-
gest few additional remarks upon tina
subjec.
The question OF slavery is among tn
grea'ost that can occupy the mind Of the
nation. The true post on IN which II
was left by The Cons,Hut oh he eXpecta-
ton Of the country in r ga 10 lis then
future condition the history OF its sub
sequent entertainments and its rreconclI'
able hostility to freedom, are matters which
must and will occupy the public attention
The world is moving on the subject; aud
the progress which has been made within
the last quarter of a century, in the work
of human emancipation, has materially
changed the aspect Of the whole question.
TO attempt 10 PIT down abolition is vain.
The statesmen of this nation must look the
question in the face. 1t is not one of mere
philanthropy, but has other bearings
Slavery is an element OF political power;
and how long, and to what extent, it shall
be suffered 10 control the policy and mould
the destiny of this nation, is question
whose consideration cannot be postponed
indefinitely.
What direction shall be given 10 the
strong and growing feeling on this subject,
is among the most important questions
that can occupy the minds of our States
men. There are evidently great dangers
to be encountered. If the purpose of the
Fathers had been carried out, and slavery
had gradually yielded and given place to
the institutions Of freedom, this crisis would
not have been thrown upon the country
But the contrary policy has prevailed.-
Slavery has planted itself in new fields
has Struggled for The ascendancy, and
maintained it and has finally come to. take
the ground that it must be fostered, and
cherished aud extended, so as to be able
TO maintain its balance, as an elemen, Of
power in the Union. What is 10 be the
character and issueof the conflict which
the growing spirit Of freedom is 10 have
with slavery, thus struggling TO maintain
It's ascendancy, is question ofteariul in>
terest The pretenions aud encroach>
ments Of the slave power, and especially
the attempt to strengthen it by the annexa-
ton of Texas, have contributed to give
character Of deep and desperate earnest>
ness to abolition movements, threatening
TO draw every other question Of morals
and politics within their vortex.
The true ground is moi upon either OF
these extremes. But neither is it the
ground OF indifference. That will work
no deliverance either from the evils Of sla.
very, or of an over heated and beidIoDg
zeal for its abolition. No attempt should
be made to su2pressth the mighty impulses
OF this age towards universal emaucipa-
tion. None will be successful. Rather I
should it be our effort 10 guide them RICH.
ly and safely
Cod apalhy and bitter zeal should a.
like give place TO calm, steady, palien',
persevcring effort TO reach the seat of the |,
evil 10 overcome in the South the fear Of
change, the force Of habit, the reluctance
to labor, the love of dominion, and the te-
naciry Of Supposed, but mistaken interest,
while truh shall be made 10 exert its pow
er in quickening the conscience 10 Just |
sense of the wrongs Of slavery. And a.
long with all this there must, and will, of |
necessity be political action in some form, |
gradually changing the character of state
and national legislation, while no great in,
lerest of The country shall be left forgotten,
uncared for, or neglected. The position
of the North and the natural jealousy Of
It's efforts in this cIuse, impose on it The
tuty of moderation and forbearance; while
he claims of humanity, aud just respect
Tor its own rig hts demand that it steadily
resist the Entertainments, expose the
wrongs, and labor, in all appropriate ways
o rid he country ofthe evils, Of slavery.
Suffer me in closing this communica-
Ion again to advert to our domestic cor
,erns and 10 express the hope that we may
come 10 the consi teration of them, wilma
ceiling OF devotion TO the interests of our
State, which shall AXE US forget all party
distinctions in an ardent desire to benefit
md bless her. Let The lines which divide
is On questions of national policy be OBJ.
iterated, when we cone 10 consider the
matters which concern exclusively our
'wn peorlt; and let the strife party yea
De lost in generous cmulationlo devise the
oes! means Of advancing the interests OF this
Commonwealth. And what field does she
present for our labors. Almost the whole
u her surface may be converted into a gar
len, rank with luxuriance, and leeming
With riches for the benefit of man. A
wise domestic policy may within no very
Instant period, have the effect of doubling
he amount of our present productions
retaining our population at home Civ.
ng to all, the means Of comfortable sub
stence and the added means of univer