The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-03-28
1853

congress elected by counting three'nflns
Of the slaves as white people, and they
as parties are divided, rule Congress.
Slavery has added seven slave States
to the Union in the last fifty years, and
is determined Texas shall come in next.
Slavery has violated the Constitution
and forbid the petitions CT slaves or free
men 10 be presented 10 Congress on this
question.
Slavery has used up and destroyed the
funds of the United States Bank to Tween.
ty-Five Millions of Dollars, ruined thou
sands of Northern families, widows ane
orphans, whose all was invested in the
stock OF that institution.
Slavery broke down The late Tariff, and
destroyed more than Three Hundred
Millionsof Northern Industry, manufact.
urers of cotton, woollen, iron, leather
and other things, and reduced our fifty
millions of pounds Of wool from SO cents
TO rs per pound, so that twelve and hall
millions have been sacrificed annually or
that staple alone for several years.
We cannot vote for either of you, as
each of you, through your candidates, and
the south end of your parties, Row down
to slavery in its most horrid forms. de-
s.royng the slaves happiness and the
Southern and Northern mans prosperity,
for we are determined no: 10 give one
fourth part of our labor to support it.
We shall, therefore, from the deepest
sense Of what is due the slave, the North
and the South, and cur own interest and
character, never cast another vote for Ell
Their of your parties, but for the reasons
specified, shall give our votes to the Lib
erty party for The redemption of the slave,
and the interests of our beloved country,
and we earnestly implore you to unite
with US in renovaling the moral energy,
and reforming the public sentiment CT
this nation.
We, Freemen and voters of the town
of Chesterfield, in The County Of Essex,
and of Ausab BILE, in the County of Clinton,
and State of New York, whose names
are subscribed to this appeal to your Pat
riotism, your Repulcanism and your
Humanity, might, with great propriety,
allude 10 some of the arguments which
have been, and will continue to be, made
use of to dissuade us from The course we
have determined to pursue. No doubt
we might well and probably bestow on
these some serious attention and consider
alton, but we forbear. That many of
them appear plausible and we'll founded
we are free to admit, but that they are all
shallow and fallacious we are bold and
open to declare.
The most serious obstacles we have
had 10 contend against in uniting in this
new rally for humanity and the rights of
man, and to save our country from ulti-
mate degradation and woe, il not the hor-
rors of a servile war, were the ties which
bound US to our respective parties, and the
attachment we have had for our old asso-
ciates in by-gone struggles for the palm
of victory But notwithstanding the ten
acity with which we are all liable to
cling 10 pre.conceived opinions, and old
associations, by an effort which all may
make and succeed in, we have broken the
chains that held US, and are bound for a
higher object than ever yet actuated the
minds, or called forth the exertions Of po-
lnical sects or parties, in this Republic,
since it sprang into existence. and COM
menced its career, as nation. Canals,
and Rail Roads, and Banks, and Tariffs,
are each, and aII,important in themselves,
but shrink into utter ms significance when
compared with the objects of our new or
ganization reformation OF vile and
wicked public opinon--the wiping from
our national escutcheon the foul blot that
is fastened upon il-and the redemption
of millions from soul and body crushing
despotism, and their elevation TO the stand
ing of men in Gods sunlight, and raising
their voices to God himself in praise and
thanksgiving.
And does it necessarily follow this ef-
fort 10 abolish slavery at the ballol-box,
that these matters which mere y affect
the interests, the pockets, and the conven-
fence of the people, shall not receive their
appropriate attention2 Indeed, should
the charter of Rail Roads, the incorpora.
ton of banks, and the enactment and pro-
mitigation Of Tariff laws, longer depend
upon The success of this, or the defeat O
OF that political party! Long enough
have these and kindred measures been The
theme OF the demagogue, and the subjec
of exclamation by the spokesman, as par
ties have waxed and waned--legislatior
has succeeded Legislation, and confusion
been lost in confusion worse confounded-
yhile crushed millions have toiIed on r
their chains with no relief in prospect
and humanity has kept on weeping owe
the ruin OF human thought and intellect
while link has been added TO link in thu
vast chain of the slave laws that charac
terze and bIacken the statute books 0
our country-and while higher and high
er has sounded the chorus of Democratic
Ssls....l 81 !ars nuaL the Eaehle voice of Ii a