Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-03-21
THE FREE VI A N.



power enough already? Is it not enough that an
'Order Of nobility with privileges and powers such
as none but the verest despots claim, is establish
ed over our beloved country, but thatthose powers
must be increased hundred fold? Is it not G.
nough that the American nobility have four times
and one fifth greater representative power than the
same number of northern voters, even after adding
TO their number all the male slaves over twenty
one years of age! Is it not enough that they have
an exclusive privilege" Of three votes in every
five persons" while laborng New Englanlers
have but one vote in seven? Is it not enough that
they should be allowed representation in their
property, while we are excluded from the same
privege2 Is it not enough that they are excIu-
siVely allowed representation in minors, Wn.siien
and children? and that five of these ARE reckoned
equal to three voting freemen of the north? Is it
not enough that these " excn3ive privileges" Civ
ing to 25o:ol" men the representative power of
TWO m!tions and fifty thousand legal voters of the
free States, by which they control the government
of these United States-control nominations and
elections of President and Vice Presdent-monop-
Ollie, as they please, all Offices Of trust and profit
control the finances, the army, the navy, the
courts, the politics, and the religion of the nation?
No it seems that all this is not enough! Her ter
ritory must be doubled, that she may have space
to strengthen herself against the increasing power
of freedom. And where, my dear brethren, is the
moral influence of the christianity of this nation
in this struggled | say, without hesitation, that
instead OF standing aoof from this mother Of abom-
nations, it Is shetering her deformity with the
cloak of church fellowship.
The Calvnistic portion sit at the same table
with oppressors and menstealers: John C. CAL
houn at the head, as ruling elder" Other lay
or clerical llObteS' rule all other portions of the
church, with few honorable exceptions say,
without fear of successful contradictions that the
countenance and direct and indirect encourage
ment that northern churches and religious socie-
ties give to this American Babylon is all that gives
it the least pretensions to decency. Without that
cloak to hide its deformity, slavery would writhe
in utter confusion and shame, until it could bury
itself in dark oblivion from the scorching, wither-
ing blast of universal scorn.
If this gerry moment the American church would
withdraw her fellowship from oppressors, the
combined scOrn Of nations would blot slavery out
of existence. And if that noaO fast gathering alb
horrence does not speedily find vent through the
church, its legitimate channel, it will sweep away
that obstruction, and apostacy and slavery will
perish together Ana it will be found, in the end,
that it was christianity that destroyed slavery and
with it, the false christianity that supported it.
And believe, my dear brethren, that very little
time is left for the church to act in This last
deed of oppression will give fearful impulse to
the long, slow gathering storm Of universal exc
Grafton. Contempt for the church, is mingng
with the half suppressed excavations of the pro-
fame, and goes up before God with the signs and
groana of the holy, and the woes of the slaves
A pierced and quivering heart lies bleeding be-
fore the throne of God and woes written and woes
untold, and groans, and tears, and signs, and
oaths and prayers, and worlds gathering storm,
bear witness, and charge the death to saints. A
seraphim points the eternal eye to earth, and says
Judgment is turned away backward, and justice
standeth affair off; truth is fallen in the street and
equity cannot enter, " and my people love to have
it So" They come unto thee as the people COM
eth, and they sit before thee as my people, and
they hear thy words, but they will not do them
for with their mouth they show much love, but
their heart goeth after their covetousness" They
fear the Lord and serve their dumb idols" The
watchmen are dumb dogs that cannot bark, sleep
in lyin loyi IN eli ,1Oor do,
that can never have enough they are shepherds
that cannot understand they are blind they are
all ignorant they all look to their own way, every
one for his gain from his quarter. The diseased
have they not strengthened, neither have they
healed that which was sick, nor bound IN that
which was broken, neither have they brought that
which was driven away, nor sought that which
was lost, but with force and with cruelty have they
ruled the poor of my flock They eat the fat and
clohe them with the wool, but they feed not the
flock and he that depGrteth from their eUH doings
maketh himseEG prey" And the Lord saw it and
shepherds, and cry, ye shall have no way to flee,
nor the principal Of tie flock to escape" Behold
am against the shepherds, saith the Lord, and
will require my flock at their hands and cause
them to cease from feeding my flock, neither shall
they feed themselves any more, for will deliver
my flock from their mouth, and behold |, even |,
will search my sheep, and deliver them out of all
places where they have been scattered in the cIou-
dy and dark day. will seek that which was lost,
and bring that which was driven away, and will
bind up that which was broken, and will strength
en- that which was sick: but will destroy the fat
and the strong, and will feed them with judy
ment."
My brethren, as christians and as watchmen, let
us beware, lest these judgments fall on us. Is it
not time for christian aboltonists to inquire how
far their influence goes to support and give respec
liability to churches and ministers that in fell
lowship with oppressors' Is it not time the line