Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-06-10

as man and his gifts as an orator. His elo- /
quent voice has this day been heard in this place,
by multitude of delighted hearers, who have lis
tened to his appeal, cam not man and
brother? 1t is a source of high qualification
that the free people of color are gradually as
Stunning their proper position and gaining their
rights as men citizens, and giving their chill
dren advantages of education And it is honora-
BILE to them that the recent magnificent gifts of
land by Mr.. Gerrt Smith have been SO many
incentives to become cultvators of the soil
We would make honorable mention of soci-
ETY. that exists in this country for the purpose of
promoting the use of free-labor produce only
" As personal and standing testimony against
slavery, it is already producing excellent moral
effects"
The inquiry, made at an early period after the
formation of the Anti-Slayery Society in this
country, has recently been renewed" Shall we
give Bibles to three millions of American slaves!"
An affirmative answer Is made. The question
is exciting discussion. A growing sentiment
prevails, that call men have clear right to
know the truth--to receive instructon-to have
free access to the oracles of God" What bish-
op, presbyter, elder, deacon, church member, or
Bible society, will deny it! The Injunction
"Search the Scriptures proceeded from the
lips of the Saviour of the world It's heaven
granted right to every inhabtant of the land
Who is he that dares ''to turn aside the right of
a man before the face of the most Hgh?"
The Legislature of Pennsylvania, most unex-
pectedy, but nobly, have removed the last vestige
of slavery from the laws of the State; it has in
sured the safety of the free people of color, while
the violent or deceptive abduction of fugitves is
guarded against. The privilege heretofore en-
joyed by Southern masters, of holding slaves six
months in the State, is entirely taken away and
as in Massachusetts and other free States, the
slave voluntarily brought within the State be-
comes Immediately free, This Legislative act is
the more cheering, in consequence of the retro
grading act Of the Supreme Court of the United
States, in its recent decision in the Van Zandt
case, in which the cause of freedom was so ably
but unsuccessfuly advocated by Mr. Chase, of O.
ho, and Governor Seward, of New York In
view of the decisions of this tribunal composed
chiefly of shareholders, may not the poor slave
eXclaim, with bitterness of SOUL Judgment is
far from us, neither doth Justice overtake u.s.
Judgment is turned away backward, and
Justice standeth afar off for Truth is fallen in
/, the Streets and Equity cannot enter.
Therefore the law is Stacked, and Judgment dotl
never 90 forth for the wicked doth compass
about the righteous therefore wrong judgment
proceedeth"
The establishment of an anti-slavery newspa
| per at the City of Washington, under the man
agement of an able and discreet editor, is a sub
iect of congratuaton. 1t is edited with taste
and ability, without compromise; and if ade
quately sustained, promises to be extremely use
II 81
the discussion in Congress on the subject o
f slavery and the freedom of the press, the acts o
; State Legislatures, and the growing anti-slavcry
sentiment of the country, have, under God pro
tected the paper from violence and the patience
f confidence, berality and prayers of its friends
are invoked with respect to this new and impor
tant plan for the maintenance and diffusion O
right principles at the seat of Government lr
connection with the paper, the Committee hadlr
, view the issuing of other publications; and the
employment of living agency in several of the
, States The funds contributed are insufficient
, to carry out the whole plan, but, in addition t.
, the publications already issued others are con
templated and aid has been furnished for sus.
tanning lecturers and agents.
After this rapid glance at the progress of the
cause in this country, we turn with heartfelt
qualification to some notice of the dCings of fell
low-laborers in other parts of the world. The able
f Committee ofthe British and Foreign Anti-Slave
ry Society; and their efficient Secretary, are
/ steadily and zealously pursuing the great Object
before them. Their periodical, the Reporter, il
valuable register Of intelligence and docu
ments, and powerful advocate Of the rights O
man. The Committee exercise Watchful eye
over the acts of their Government and the Colo
f NAL Legislatures they institute inquiries in va
rious parts of the world, and suggest many meas
ures for the protection of the oppressed, and t.
r hasten the downfall of the slave trade and o
slavery They recommend the use of frcc-growI
produce, as far as practicable, in preference t.
| slave-grown and have sent to this country some
beautiful specimens of plain and printed cottoI
goods manufactured solely from iree-labor cotton
We are concerned to state that the slave trade
continues to be prosecuted with unabatcd vigor
and atrocity on various parts of the African coast
t American vessels, chartered for a different pur-
pose, in our own harbors get rid of their cargoe
on the passage land then freight with slaves This
f is done with the most daring impunity. British
E and French cruisers are active and jealous il
endeavors to suppress the traffic, while American
cruisers, formerly on the coast, have been, since
the commencement of the present war, ordered
to the Gulf of Mexico. Before they left few
slave ships were captured by them, and the plrat-
) ical masters were sent home for trial. Some OF
them were convicted and sentenced, but pardons
were soon obtained by the President of the Uni
ted States, while the compassionate Torrey was
suffered to die in pententary, surrounded by
felons, for assisting few slaves to effect then
escape from slave State.
The British Government has notified all its
functionaries residing in foreign countries, that
it would be uniting that any officer holding ar
appointment under the British Crown should, Ell
Their directly or indirectly, hold or be interested
in slave property The Government has forbid
den such functionaries from administering to the
estates of deceased persons in cases in which
slaves form part of the property of the deceased
4 The Government has also demonstrated, with eff
feet against the laws in force in the slave States
subjecting British-born colored persons resofting
N