The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-11-13
J. T. MCCLELLAN, Printer.


supposed that its dignity would shield
them from the indignation and curses of
men. Did they' No. they were no, SO
conlempibly silly as that. They found
1t necessary in order to cover up the en-.
ormlIy of their crime--(murder, cool and
premeditaled, and only not consummalet
because no resistance was offered, accor.
ding 10 their own admisson-but in re-
ality, because they found hund reds of
brave men looking on in sullen silence,
ready TO die in my Defense Ito publish
manifesto TO the world. full OF darkly
studied and dlmning caIumny, in order to
shut me off from the sympathies of men
and abate the horror of their criminal a.
vowa and dastardIy revenge.
They supposed, no doubt, that would
either fall by disease or violence, and, as
dead men tell.no tales" it would be
easy 10 blacken my memory, and cover
up their own infamy. This last finishing
touch was needed to complete the dark
portal! of perpetual slavery--lhat man.
kind looking upon this picture of slave,
holding cruelty, wrong and smooth faced
hypocrisy might be no longer deceived
| forever
In this manifesto. and indictment, and
verdict, am accused:
|. OF being an abolitionist in its
Southern sense-my northern visit is i'm
pued to ME as a crime-and am de-
clared returning home "lhe organ and a.
gent Of an incendiary Sect"
2. | am accused OF desiring 10 put
into practical operation the sentiments of
the leading article of the True American
OF the lth number, where | am spoken
of as HE very author Of the same--"I'he
Western apostle transcends if possible his
missicn."
2. |, is imputed TO me as crime that
had prepared to defend my property and
,press against the illegal violence of the
people.
4. lam accused of crime in character.
izng American slavery as "he lowest
the basest, the most unmitiga,ed the world
had seen"-of being daring incen-
diary, hurting his fire-brands OF murder
and of lust'-of "responding as haugh-
ty and infatuated fanatic, in terms of OUT
rage, 10 committee of gentlemen, who
| made wonderfully mild requess"-and
of denying the right Of the citizens 10
consul! together on such subjecr-of
being "madman," or of"preparing him
self for civil war, in which be expected
the non>slaye-holding laborers, along with
the slaves, 10 flock to his siandard"-in
calling on the "laborers, for whom have
sacrificed so much" Of summouing slaves
10 my help.
S. am accused OF attacking The tens
ure Of slave proper;y"-of being IA tres
passer" upon slavehoders-and of push
ing the community to extremity.
These are cruel charges, and most cru
ely have they been avenged. Time was
when men were heard, tried and punished;
now being punished, may l yet be heard
With regard 10 the first allegation
am so far an abolitionisl as certain men
named George Washington and Thomas
Jefferson, and some other such fanatics"
who got together 10 l776 and enuncia,ed
some very "mad and incendiary" doctrines,
followed up the same Washington who.
some years after that memorable event,
declared that so far as his vote could go
towards the abolition of slavery, il should
never be wanting. The same Washing
ton, at some time subsequent. liberated all
his slaves was "fanalic" enough TO
follow his advice and example, and would
have others do likewise, thinking it better
10 be just than rich. Or the other hand,
| am opposed 10 the violation Of law in
any respect, either for the purpose of
llberatng a slave, or of numbering by
mobs loyal citizen. look upon the
rebels of the 18th, who bore death and
arms in their hands in order TO perpetuate
slavery, as infinitely lower in crime and
iDfany than the "incendlary secl," if such
there be- who would use similar means 10
li6erate the slave. God forbid that or
my counlrymen should form an alliance
with or submit to The despotism OF either.
Neither the Liberty purity nor the Garri>
sonans hold any such murdeEous doctrines;
they aye monopolized by the respectable
gentlemen" OF the 18th of August. The
Garrisonan a5olilionists are non resist.
ants; they hold with O'Connel tha, no
revolution or change of government is
worth single drop of human blood.
The Liberty party holds the doctrine put
forth by their convention held at Cincin>
natl on the llth day OF June, l645.
They say of slavery tive believe that its
removal can be effected peaceably, coasIi-
tutionally, without real injury 10 any,w,h
the creates! benefit TO all" So that if /
was an Aboitiousl in its broadesl sense,
there is no cause or excuse for any mum.
Der of respectable gentlemen to come up
on me s. murder me, or trample upon the
constitutional liberty of speech and of the
press. The Wings call me Whig-I
wrote TO the AboItionsts on the lllh Of
June letter published in The True A.
merican where call myself Whig---
the AboliIonists call me Whig--nnd