Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-07-01
TOT Tie Green Mountain Freeman
StrIclurCS on Rev Il. +. Leayitt,

Mr.. EDITOR-l saw with surprise and regret in
the Freeman Of Jnne 10Th, underline caption "Can it
be so" the remarks of Rev. Harvey F. Leavitt, at
Richmond Va. As have not discovered negative
reply to your exclamation Or inquiry, conclude it is
proper subject orpublc anmldversion and as every
an-slavery man in Vermont has occasion to feel in
lurel and complain, venture a few remarks had
the pleasure of making Mr.. Leavitt's acquaintance
some eight or ten years ago, while attending the meet
ings of the Vermont Anti-Slavcry Society," of which
he was the presiding officer for number Of years.
To the impressions | received at that period, nv
memory rcverts with vivid interest, as look at his
late remarks. The public mind was then awakening
to the injustice, mpiety and cruelty of American sa
very. then looked upon this presiding officer as
fearless champion IN good cause as an instrument
in the hand Of Providence of directing our rising zeal
and Of bringing our best energies to bear upon the adj
vancement of this great and glorious enterprise.
then supposed that his attachment to the principles he
had espouSed and enunclated would remain unWaver-
ING and undmlnished to the close of life | thought
decision of character inheXibity of purpose and of
action, were prominent characteristics of his cou
not then have been made to believe that he would be-
of the "Ncutrals of non-nterference" that
he could have been deferred by any hosptaltie or
batteries from bearing fearless testimony for God a.
ganst the nquity of the and that he could be guilty
Of that temporizing cXpediency, that dcrection Of
duty in apprehension Of consequences, which have so
often been exhibited by political and clerical men,
could not believe that the torpedo touch of the slave
power would strike dumb this man once so eloquent
in Vermont on the side of the oppressed. 1t seems
that in the providence of God he has been thrown
among shareholders and those of his brethren of the
same faith. How has he maintained consistency of
character? how has he made proof of his love for the
poor slave, and of stern, unbending religious prncl-
pie? lie knew that the cry of millions was going up
to heaven, pleading with fearful eoquencc for the d-
vine vengeance to fall upon our guilty land. Should
he not have urged the ministers and churches to re-
nounce this giant sin and do works meet for reDcn-
lance? Why did lie not adjure his brethren BY their
common christianity, and by the reproach which this
sin has cast upon it, to weigh their conduct in the
balance Of the sanctuary and by the golden rule OF
the Savior aud give up their horrid traffic in the bod
les and souls of men, and put away from among them
the accused thing, and awake to righteousness by
cmancpatng and evangelizng their sable BRETHREN
whom they have consented to keep in heathenish dark
ness Why did he not take the guilt Of this horrid
abominaton and lay it whore much of it belongs, on
the church; and said to his brethren that they const
ued of the props and pillars of this boodstaned
system? But not word Of rebuke do we hnd nc
nor a kind word in behalf Of the bleeding, suffering
slave.
I doubt not that the gentleman stood upon Mis-
sionary PLATFORM and poured eXecratons upon IInloo
sm and deprecated the cruel scenes on the banks OF
the Ganges, and branded the acts of the Bahmn anC
New Zealander as inlamy itself But his lips were
closed the sub jeCt Of our bibe-wthholdng system
not word in relation to the immuations and funer
al fires of American Slavery. Will it be said thai
Mr.. Leavitt was where slavery sanctioned by law
and thus it became very delicate and political ques
ton? The sale of ardent spirits has been sanctioned
by law in Vermont, yet he never stulfed himself by
refusing that ground to address temperance soc
ETY.. No, he has applied the gospel to this form o
evil with directnesS and falthiuncss. have listened
with much pleasure to his moving appeals and scorch
ing rebukes on this subject, and am sharing in thu
happy results of such direct and earnest effort VIII
justification be found in the fear of disturbing tn
harmony or heavenly mlndedness of the meeting? har
mony depending on silence in relation to Gods poor
is purchased at too dear rate. Give me the fury
tempest, rather than the deadly cXhaations of
putrid stagnant pool. would that all the whips am
chains and thumb screws Of old Virginia could hav
been brought to that convention and ratified in tn
ears Of that assembly, until they felt the wrongs O
their crushed and bleeding brother ] find no iustif
cation, but many examples for Mr.. Leavius course
this occasion. 1t is no pleasant task to censure on
that Ihave highly esteemed; but deem it duty to sa
that he seemed to exhibit something of that plane
which sacrifices the plain will of God to consideration
of interest or eXpedlency--he seemed to be askin
with papltating soicitude, what course will least e2
pose me to danger-what will crafty my friends
what will the Doctor in the char approve? If sue
were the questions oh, how unworthy the man of Got
IF such had been the enquiries ancently, Noah ha
never built the ark-Moses had not turned his BAG
on the glittering throne of the Pharaoh's-Don
would have ceased to praythe proud youth of Tarsr
would not have renounced his faterng prospects, al
been found a despised disciple at the feet of Jesu
rejoicing "that he was counted worthy to suffer shan
for his name" He had unbending principle in tt
midst of the "forty stripes save one" He did not COZ
er nor fawn Gin perils by his own countrymen," n
sin periIs of robbers" | know not but they were Ill
some modern ecclesiastical robbers, robbng Gods pc
of their bnthrght. Paul stood up amid such peri
and exhibited on all occasions at home or abroad,
power of christian faith, and the oveness of christi
fidelity. Oh, that his mantle could have fallen on t
members of the Richmond convention.
RYLAND FLETCHER.