Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-08-05


Mr. EDIrom-It is written, "Answer a fool accord
ing to his folly lest he be wise in his own CONFETTI
| was forcbly reminded of this sentiment on perusng
paragraph in the Vermont Patriot Of last week,
wherein the editor complains somewhat of the cores
ponden,s OF the Christian Messenger After lavish
ing great deal of hypocrtca cant at the establish
mea and success of that paper and laudngh the Meth
odist people as great and "patrioc people" he as
sumcs a kind of guardianship over the concern as
though there was a want Of Judgment in the Editors
of the Messenger in selecting, and especially in ad-
hitting correspondents into its columns. Perhaps it
would be BETTER the whole, for those having charge
of that paper to submit communications from their
correspondents, and especially those touching the
SCAR" The President, and Slavery to the Patriot man
for his approval, unless they obtain one of those
'carcature sheets which used to be pubshedat Wood
stock to use as a kind of pattern. | should regret
NEST extremely the awfd consequences which might
result from lack of proper judgment and discrim-
natjon in the present editors of the Messenger In
time like the present, when the bones of thousands
of our American citizens are bleaching on the plains
of Mexico, and thousands will fall in this glori-
of wisdom, on the part of this great and "patriotic
people" to know how to write and act, especially as
they are committed against slavery as the viest system
that ever saw the How very fortunate must those
men consider themselves, at this critical juncture, in
having aCise and prudent counsellor to guide their
bark safely round these political shoals.
But aggin, it is written, "Answer fool not accord
/ inr IN bic GnIlv lortt he ;Io A.I
now Mr. Editor, am about to inquire seriously, what
is the duty Of this great and 'patriotc people," and
what is the duty Of every man upon the subject of
American slavery? ask, have not the Methodists as
body, by their Minister'S aud in their book of disci-
pine soemnly pledged themselves against slayery?-
In almost every annual conference of her Preachers,
resolutions upon this subject of the most obligatory
character, have been passed. Her members, almost
without exception, profess to be abotonlstp. The
great body has been rent in twain in consequence of
slavery. Difficulties exist in the border conferen-
ces, because this hydraheaded monster has fastened
his angs upon them. Not satisfied with occupying its
present limits it seeks to enlarge its borders, and ex-
tend its dominion over territory where slavery has
once been abolished bya hall-cvilized nation! And
esk is it the duty of great and patriotic peo-
pe' to aid in such a strife as this? Can the church
hold her peace upon this subject and be innocent?-
Are we not bound not to have any fellowship With the
unrutul WORKS of darkness and equally bound to re-
prove hem And shall the press fear to utter its thun
der tones when God aud man have engaged against
this eXcreable foe of human rights and human happi-
ness: But why all this anxiety on the part of the
Patriot about the correspondents of the Messenger,
and the manner in which that paper is conducted
Simple reason answers, Party Now, would not
have the Messenger become partisan paper no, not
at all, 1t was not established for that purpose Nor
would have refuse to speak out upon any subject,
where the interests of the church are concerned be-
cause forsooth, it might njure party. Let dem
agogues and political wire workers. and slaveholders
take their own unhaowed course, but the time is fast
coming when every honest man-every christian
every phlanthropist-and every lover of his country
and the human race, will be arayed on the side of the
oppressed bondman, and cry will be sent forth that
will cause his letters to fall, and song of triumph
will be heard saving;
''5ound the loud mbrel DER savery's dark sea-
Jehovah has trlumphed, his peoI lie are free"
AS responsible man | mean to wash my hands
from the guilt of slavery and if the church suffer it
shall not rest on me.
! July, Goth, 1917. CONSCIENCE.