Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-11-12
For the Greensountain Freeman.
Consistency Of Christian AbOlitiOniStS,
NO. II.

questions to which he has directed my attention. would
have led to an earlier reply had not want of health,
and other unavoidable circumstances prevented Such
are my infrmites that labor under great embarrass-
ment when attempt to write for the press. And SO
little inclined am to scholarship that / never should
have ventured myself before the public in this way,
had those who are qualified for the work been dispos-
ed to 90 it. But those have for the most part held
their peace, it has appeared to tina: there no
alternative but for 'he stones to cry out" 1t is how
ever, matter of consolation to me that am at the
present time to address who, though differing in
opinion, can nevertheless extend to me the hand Of
Christian friendships and who, having himself been
accustomed to the tnerant life, can sympathze with
the infrmities of one who las been worn down in it:
one, also, whom believe to be possessed of clear
head and an honest heart and, witha is known to be
expert in all questions relating to the subject under
consideration Thus circumstanced, feel a sort of
safety in expressing my views before the public which
should not otherwise feel. For, though may be
deceived myself yet shall not be likely to succeed so
to be instrumental in decelvng others and if am
wrong shall be in fair way to be set right and that
by one who will be disposed to do it in such language
and in such spirit as will be least calculated to give
offence.
The obecton-and it appears the only objection
which Br Prnde is disposed to make to what have
written in the Freeman, is, that have not sufficiently
defined my position in relation to secession. His Ian
guage is, "But to me, and conclude to Others ALSO
the point of duty in seeding from churches that give
their influence to uphold slavery left unsatisfactory
ly explained" Ny only apology for having neglected
IAl I III
is that it did not to me that this the point
at issue. The question mainly under consideration
not being whether secession right or wrong but,
whether those ofus who were acting with the Liberty
party, anG had not seeded, consistent with
selves whether were to be considered as ICON
sstent Christian Abolitionists" The position was
sumed that not. And this doctrine was advo-
Gated, not only by lecturers and in political conven
tons but also in the Freeman, the organ of the Lber-
y party, where it maintained by different
pondents, without contradiction, that influence, in
stead of being in favor of the cause, was wholly a
gans it. Previous to tits, the prospect was, that the
friends of the slave, of every grade, would ultimately
be induced at least politically, to act in concert and
that the Liberty party would be the medium through
which they would concentrate their efforts. And so
great the desire to effect this, that among the
friends of the church disposition manifested in
all our political movements so to conduct themselves
as not to give offence even to the most ultra seceders
And so long corresponding forbearaAce was mani
tested on their part, the utmost unanimy prevailed
, And the prospect Of ultimate every day
increasing. But the efforts to identify secession with
the Liberty party greatly changed the aspect of things,
i and attended with consequences favorable to none
but our enemies We people of one idea, and
10 our strength in unity But to the extent that
VI these efforts prevailed shorn of our strength.
We no longer one people: and instead of unit
l. eddy making against the enemy, we were
J. spending strength contendng with each other
Our enemies also taking advantage of these our dis
i sensons were enabled to fortify themselves anew a.
e. gainst u.s. Nor does it appear that the advocates of
e secession are likely to reap any essential advantage
" by this controversy. For it must be apparent that if
in the wrong it is possible for them to be
in the right. For, if we what they have represent
ed to be- long they remain associated with us,
they as inconsistent with themselves as they had
represented us to be. They might we'll be denti6-
ed with either Of the other political parties and vote
I'd for their candidates. be identified with us and vote
to for Indeed it might be serious question wheth-
is they might not with much more proprety vote for
a. such men as Henry Clay and James X. Polk neither
r. of whom church members, than for such men as
I James g. Birney, Presbyterian, Lawrence Brainerd
nd Congregationais Jacob Scott a Methodist. II
must be obvious therefore, that according to this mode
of reasoning there is no alternative left them but to
es secede from us and set up new organizatonone in
to accordance with the principles which they profess.
,r And then, they would be consistent with themselves
they must exclude from church membership all such
persons exercise the elective franchise in favor OF
W slavery. Until this be done, it appears to me that
be those objections which they so necessarily urge a.
on ganst us, will bear with equal force against them
selves But it does not appear that they have ever at
In tempted to do this, that they intend ever to make
b. this test question. But until they d. their efforts to
reform other churches will be attended with but little
success. They must first cast out the beam out of
their own eye before they clearly to pluck the
mote from their brothers, Nor will it avail to plead
that with them the number implicated is small seeing
it is principle that is involved and as the smaness
Of the number will only render reform the less diff
cult the neglect of it will be the less excusabe The
same will hold true in relation to ourselves The
number of shareholders has, of late, been greatly di-
minished by secession but as the position of the
church, in relation to slavery remains unchanged our
guilt and responsibility in way lessened thereby
And had the secession been complete as to have
left no Shareholders remaining and that all ecclesi-
ascal connections between us and them had been at
1 an end; if we still to identify ourselves with
slavery, by throwing political influence in its favor,
our guilt and responsibility instead of being diminish
ed, would only be made to appear the more conspicu
- Gus. And this will prove true inreatiOn to all, wheth
Sh er they have seeded from the church remain in it,
&c who, though they may preach against slavery and
pray for its abolition nevertheless go to the ballot box
re and thnrn untn 10 srstnn il GEO PIITNAM