The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-01-04
LETTER FRoM MIR. HOLCOMB.
MONTPELIER, Dec. 20, 1913.

: between J. Seely and myself, | will give ii
AS some people take the paper now, who
did not when published some things re-
speeding the point of dispute between US,
will give the substance of it now, that all
may understand. In October 1912, gave
Joah Seely a writing that would pay him
fifty copies of the Voice of Freedom, or one
hundred dollars worth, at the prices usu-
ally charged; Seely to obtoin new subscri-
bers for the above, without expense TO me
{ he running the risk OF collecting the Eay,
DC. To this there was attached a proVisc,
that should | discontinue publishing said
paper before the expiration Of a certain
period of time, was to pay him the balance
of the one hundred dollars. exchanged
the place of publication from this town TO
Brandon, in June last, and not one days
suspension occurred. In July, Mr.. SeeIy
commenced suit against me for the cash,
deducting the price of one paper so as TO
bring the case within the jurisdiction of the
lower court. My counsel suffered judgment
to be taken, without going into the merits
of the question, and appealed TO the County
Court, which was TO be held in November
following. In October, Seely and drafted
and signed an agreement to submit our
differences TO Joseph Howes, E. P. Walton
and Zenas Wood of this town. The arbi
tration was 10 commence on the 9th inst,
and decision was TO be given before the
first day Of January next, which was to be
final. | came from Brandon, distance of
| about sixty miles, and arrived here Oh the
9th. The arbilralors assembl ed the case
was presented - the pleas made, and they
decided to bring in their verdict on the
morning Of the 28th, at 8 O'Clock. But in
stead of having my mind relieved BY a
decision of these arbilrators, Seely revoked
their powers by giving them written notice
to that effect, before The hour of arrived.
The reason of this step on the part Of the
plaintiff, Seely understood as we'll as any
one. Perhaps he felt some as the Paddy
did, when assured that justice would be
done him, replied that that was what lie
was afraid of.
suppose, now, there is no other way for
me than to prepare 10 meet Seely in court
next April, or pay the cash. The latter
think shall not do, if | can prevent it, The
point relied upon by Seely's counsel, before
the arbtralors was, that a change of place
Of publication was a diScontinuanCe! Per
haps the issue will be changed before April.
The monies Seely collected from subscrib.
ers, without my consent, and which belong
ed, and do still belong 10 me, he still refuses
10 pay over to me. "BehoId how pleasant
it is for brethren 10 dwell together in unity -
will now enter upon another subject.
have been thinking that as another year
is ahont 10 commence, and as il is custom.
AIRY with many 10 wish their friends Hap.
Ply New Year and 10 present them with
some token of remembrance, it NAV be
appropriate for US to present an Offering TO
our readers. therefore propose that the
names of James G. Birney and Thomas
Morris be inserted in cur editorial columns,
as candidates for President and Vice Presi-
dent of the United States and that these
names stand as the representatives of human
freedom, till others shall be substituted in
their stead. If any of our readers do not
like our present. they can have the privi
lege of protesting against it, have not
room now, neither have time, 10 give all my
reasons why think the above present APP
proprate at this time. When any one shall
give his reasons for protesting TO our offering,
will go into the subject more fully. | cannCt
say that approve all of Mr.. Birney's acts.
But that he has shown himself philanthro-
pic in releasing his slaves before his fathers |
decease, and after his fathers decease,
requesting that all the slaves might be set
to him, that he might give them their free
DOM no one will deny. These acts were
certainly commendabIe. His facing the |
fury Of the mob, and suffering various losses
in consequence Of his advocating humanity,
in OHIO, after he had set his first slaves
free, was also highly honorable to him. No
one acquainted with Mr.. Birney will deny
that he is a man of sound mind - good
education, and we'll versed in practical
knowledge,
Mr.. Morris, formerly Of the other patty
in politics, came out nobIy and boldly by
attacking slavery in the Senate ofthe United
States, in a reply 10 a speech of Henry
Clay in 1899. This attack of Mr.. Morris |
was made in the face of political sIaugh-
Ter by his party in Ohio. ut,like Polycarp,