Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-12-10
G. PRINDLE.


Perfect freedom is liberation from every kind of
oppresson,-a liberation from everything, that in the
least mpars physical, mental, or moral constitution.
Perhaps this is the most extensive definition of free
dom. Freedom in government, signifies not in state
of slavery, CT political servude to any foreign power
but subject only to fixed laws, made by the common
consent of those who are governed
Freedom has its foundation in the nature and con-
sttuton of things. 1t il written in conspicuous char
acters upon every department of creation. If we
y our Investigations into the external world there we
learn that the perpetuity of vegetable life requires an
atmosphere free from all foreign impurity Too much
heat, or too much cold, are alike deleerous to the
healthy growth of the vegetable And under the in
auence of some of the chemical gases, the most bloom
ing and beautiful blossoms lose their vigor, sicken,
and die. Hence we perceive, that foreign impury is
destructive to vegetable ecOnomy-that the beauty
and animation of the vegetable kingdom depend upon
its freedom to nhae the air in its native purity Or up
on its being regulated by laws, having their origin in
its own nature, and in the nature ofthngs around Do
say then thatlibery is visible in the outward world?
Yea yea. every spre Of grass every leaf that quvers
in the breeze, the beautiful lilies of the valley, the
blooming forests upon our mountains with their grace
fully waving bows in the gentle zephyr the gushing
fountains and rills that leap sportvey from the noun
tain side, are all suggestive-are emblems-yea, are
all fill of liberty and freedom.
Again. if we examine the animal economy, we learn
that confinement violates those laws which have their
E,,,p Jo+to
tain wants, and for the satisfaction of those wants. ma
ure contains ample provision. And it is left in free
dom to roam in natures field, guided by the law of in
snct it partakes of such things give satisfaction to
its nature; and thus it retains its vigo strength and
life. But Cypress its nature by confinement in the
cage, and the animal loses its ordinary strength and
vvacty. There is a violation of the laws of its being
and in consequence it sckens and prematuroly dies
Behold the numerous herds of CATTLE enjoying their
rich repast upon our green hills; think you, reader,
that if they confined to the barren deserts, it
would be congenial to their nature? No, surely not;
they must be left to act in accordance with the laws OF
their existence. Even the uncaged bird with its life
and gee, its mellow, musical tones echo the forest
evinces to us that freedom is necessary ingredient Of
happiness See them, in freedom, bounding from
branch to branch in the Forest joyuly dancing up
IN the wind and tell me, if to them bondage is not
cruel, and liberty sweet.
Hence we have seen that freedom is necessary TO
the life and vigor of the vegetable and animal And
SO it is with The vvacity of his physical pow
ers, depends upon his freedom to exercise them in
harmony with the laws of his constitution He must
have liberty to inhae the pure air, and to exercise in
a proper manner, anc to a proper extent his bodily
functions if he would retain health life and happiness
Confinement in the prisoners cell is not compatible
with his nature Neither can he escape with impun
ty if be is in bondage where over exeon of his phys
ica energies is required. He too, must act in harmo
ny with the laws Of his constitution. But when we
contemplate man, find him incomparably higher il
the scale of existence than any other order of organ
lied beings. He IS endowed with tine intellectual
The beast Of the field has organized body animated
with vitality, and guided by instinct. But mans or
ganzation is animated with mind with a soul, anC
with an immortal spirit. And this mind of man ha'
surveyed earth and air. 1t has built Frustrated cities
1t has thrown down kingdoms and empires, and rails
brought up science from the depths the earth. Ant
with its far reaching vision, has surveyed the heav
ems searched the hidden springs of nature, discov
cred those laws, which sustain and regulate myrlads
worlds, sailing with inconceivable velocity in the up
per deep. We behold this intellectual being wit
such powers of thought, with Unsuitable thirst 70
knowledge, and with such thrilling desires and hig
aspirations for the sublime and beautiful, and but jus
beginning to learn, with such deep resources of know
edge before it and the natural exclamation is, VIII
+ shall dare 10 check it in its progress? Who is willing
the road to knowledge hedged up with slavery an
+ not make exertion to open the way? Who is S
devoid of sympathy that he look coldy on and be
s hold three millions of minds in our nation, fette
1t ed with the cruel chains of oppression and gnoranc
# and not stir one pampered limb, to turn their wan
l. and wo, to JOY and happiness? Oppression is inco
$ sistent with the laws of mind The human mind HI