The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-03-06
From the Christian Citizen.

From the Christian Citizen.
Inconsistency of Slavery with the COnsti-
tuition i'm preventing Free Discussion.
BY REV. Thomas DICK, d. d. l. l.. d.
There is another most glaring incon-
sistency chiefly connected with the slave
States, and that is-a determination 10 pres
vent free discussion on the subject Of sla>
very. This determination, too, has been
taken in direct opposition both to The ORR
gina declaration of Independence, and 10
the laws Of almost every individual State.
En the laws of Massachusetts, it is declar-
ed that "lhe liberty Of the press is essential
to the security of freedom in a State; it
ought not therefore TO be restrained ia this
commonwealth" In the constitution of
Maine, it is declared "eveTy citizen may
freely speak, write and publish his senli>
ments on any subject. No laws shall be
passed regulating or restraining the free
dom of the pless" In Pennsylvania it is
declared, the presses shall be free TO ev'
cry person who undertakes to examine the
proceedings Of the legislature or any
branch of the government, and no law
shall ever be made TO restrain the ri ght
thereof. Every citizen may freely speak,
write, aud print on any subject, being re-
sponsibic for The abuse of that liberty. -
The same sentiments are expressed in
the laws Of Vermont, New Hampshire,
Connecticut, and New York. liz the
Southern States, similar laws were enact
ed. In those of Maryland it is declared
that "lhe liberty OF the press ought TO be
invioisb.y preserved" In those of Virgin
la it is stated, "the freedom OF the press is
one OF the great bulwarks of liberty, and
can never be restrained but by DeSpottc
governments" TO the same purpose is
The law Of North Carolina.
"The freedom Of the press is one Of the
great buIworks Of liberty, and therefore
ought never 10 BE- reslrained.' The same
sentiments are expressed nearly in the
same words, in the laws Of Delaware,
South Carolina, Georgia Oao, Ken,
lucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, A labama
and Illinois.
How such laws and enactments are
consistent with The practice Of bolh nd
vidua!s and legislatures in the Southern
States, leave every man of common
sense 10 determine. Let US look for a
moment at the treatment of those who
conscienliousiy vindicate The abolition Of
slavery. On mere vague report, or
bare suspicion, persons travelling through
the Southern States have been arrested,
imprisoned, and in certain cases, fogged
and otherwise tortured, under pretence
that such persons wished 10 produce in
surreclIon among the slaves. 1t has been
reported, on good grounds, that more than
one innocent person has been hanged on
such suspicious. sit was declared" says
Miss Marlnau-wh is very candid liz
her opinions in regard 10 the slave States
-"by some liberal minded gentlemen OF
South Carolina, after the publication OF
DR.. Channine's work on slavery, that il
| DR. Claiming were 10 enter South Carroll
ma with body guard of twenty thousand
men, he could not come out aIive.' 81
have seen, says his lady, the liihrograph-
ic prints transmitted in letters TO abolition
ISIS, representing the individual 10 whom
they was sent hanging on d gaIlows. l
have seen the h0ndbitiS, purporting 10 be
issued by Committees OF Wig glance, offer
ing enormous rewards for The heads or for
the ears ofpromnent aboltionists." Nor
are these acls 10 be attributed merely 10
The fury and resentment OF tadiciduals;
for it is well known that high official per-
sons sat on those Committees, who were
appointed 10 watch for persons, who enter
lained Anislavery opinions. 1t is like.
wise well known,thal Governors Of South.
ern States made formal application to gov
ernors OF the Northern States. to procure
the dispersion OF AntislAvery societies
the repression of discussion and the pun
ishmeGt OF the promulgators Of abolition
opinions. 1t is only q few years ago, that
the Governor of South Carolina recon.
menjed 1.-THE summary execution, without
benefit of clergy, of all persons caught
within the limits of The State, no ding An.
tisIaverv opinions;' and select Commit
tee of the Legislature endorsed every senti-
riment uttered by the GoverUor Hence
it follows, that all the thousands and
millions Of respectable persons In the
British Empire are peremptorlly debar>
red from entering within the confines OIL
that State, unless at the peril OF being
hanged as feons. For there is not re-
spectacle person in that empire but detes.s
the system of slavery, and would do all
in his power to procure its eternal aboll'
ton.
Could we expect any thing more des.
polio and unjust in Turkey, AIgiers. Mo.
rocco, or among any other OF The petty
tvrants of Africa or Asia2 Or can any
thing be more Inconsistent than that such
, conduct should be manifested by those who
. boast oftheir peculiar love of liberty. anC