Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-05-27
Breakfast Of the American and Foreign
Anti"SIavpry Society,

A1C"DlhitII DOClGCy'
This Association held public breakfast in
the large room under the Tabernacle yesterday
morning, which was attended by about five hun
bred persons, a large proportion of whom were
people of color. Lewis Tappan, Esq, pres-
ded.
After the creature comforts had been safely
disposed Of the intellectual portion of the enter
tainment was introduced. Speeches were made
by Rev. N. Colver, by Mr.. Leavitt, and then DR..
Snodgrass of Baltimore, formerly editor of the
Saturday Visitor, and now connected with the
National Era, was introduced to the audience
and received with great applause.
DR.. Snodgrass expressed his satisfaction at be-
ing present ON that occasion. Five years ago
if any had foretold such meeting, he would
have been set down as neither prophet nor the
son of a prophet This was the first time he
had ever spoken in an Anti-Slavery Meeting
He would confess that he had himself been a
slave He had been called upon to speak on the
subject, but he had shrunk from coming forward
he had himself been lettered with the bonds of
Slavery. But he had made up his mind that
that was not profitable course of conduct Ac-
cording to the proverb, it was as well to be hung
for an old sheep as lamb and he had found
that at the South he was doomed to be hung at
any rate, and so he was going to speak out. He
felt that he could congratulate the audience that
they were free, if not from the terror of the mob
at least from the terror of the law. In Baltimore
when he touched the subject, Shareholders son
as he was, he was in danger of incarceration a.
mong murderers and thieves. Yes, every time
he raised his pen on the subject of Slavery, the
law of Maryland made him liable to ten years
imprisonment But he had made up his mind
that he would have his say in that State, not
rashy, but calmly, and from a sense Of duty
and he had had it, not only in his paper, but be-
fore public audiences. If there were any Re-
porters present, he hoped they would do him the
the Justice to say that he did not speak thus be-
cause he had got rid of the bonds of Slavery,
and had nothing to hinder him. His Rev. friend
Mr.. Colver, had done pretty good sort of bust
ness in talking there that morning. In one
thing, however, he feared he would be disap-
pointed If he should insist on sending the BIZ
bic down among the slaves, he would find all the
masters adopting the Catholic doctrine, that the
Bible was not to be read, at least not without
note or comment.
One thing he wished to say, and he hoped
it would be received with kindness, though he
was young man, and perhaps ought not to give
advice. He hoped they would make up their
minds as anti-savery people to pull together, and
to 60 forth before the people of the South like
John the Baptist, crying in the wderdess Pre-
pare ye the way of the Lordv What most en-
barrassed the movements was the quarrels and
squabbles among anti-savery men, For himself
he hailed all who were struggling for the down
fall of slavery as brothers and sisters, no matter
by what name they were called. Let all do So
ct there be only union among them and the ha-
ted institution would be overthrown.
The difficulty in the North was now, not SO
much the condition of the slave, as of the free
man of color. lie feared their Northern friends
overlooked this great matter in their agitation of
the subject. When in Baltimore he urged e.
Emancipation upon shareholders as duty, he was
pointed with triumphant air to those poor
miserable creatures, the free people of color
Shall we liberate our slaves while frcemen are
in such miserable conditionl-ths was the
question. The only answer he could give, was
that this was not SO much an individual matter,
but great general question of races. Should
this race, which was created to be something
more than toing drudges on plantations, be ell
cvated! 1t was a question of races and not of
individual convenience The friends of the
slave must see to it, that this obstacle was remov-
ed. The fact was, that it would be removed
Let the condition of the free man of color be
elevated, and then they would have examples to
point to of what the negro race might become
out of slavery. 1t was time to bring his remarks
to an end, but one thing he must say He hoped
to God the time would come when men would
appear from Maryland, not as the representatives
of slave State, but of free State, and when
New York might shake hands with Maryland
with shout of Maryland too is free!'
Great applause)
Rev. MIR. Davies, from British Guiana, was
then introduced to the meeting, and gave an ex-
ceedlngly interesting account of the good re-
suits Of emancipation in that country, and that
of the present state of the colored population
there.
After Mr.. Davies had concluded, DR.. Houston,
who had been taking notes at the Reporters Ia
BILE, was introduced to the audience, and briefly
stated that he wished to secure himself against
the misrepresentation which might possibly have
been created by Dr. Snodgrass allusion to the
Reporters present He Or. H.) was there for
the purpose of making faithful report, not to
carricature the proceedings.
Then followed singing and a speech from
Henry Bibb, the eloquent fugitive slave from
Arkansas. Altogether, the breakfast was an
exceedingly delightful and instructive affair.
liz ". IL