Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-09-02
The QuestiOn"~What shall it be?

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More than seventy years ago, ffy-six sons of Lib
erty drafted and signed the declaration of American
Independence and threw it out to the world as an in
dlces Of the principles upon which the government of
this people to be founded. And as an instrument
how benevolent is it, securing equality to ALL without
reference to cast sect At the time of its emana
ton however no uncomfortable portion of the nhabit-
ants of our land we're in state far beneath the full
ruon Of the opportunities which noble an nstrl-
ment held cut to them Though in a land of equality
and liberty yet they suffered from the grossest partial
ty and slavery.
1t would be but just to conclude that the American
people, having, at this time so long suffered from bear
ing that oppressive yoke which British Tyranny had
been pleased to lay upon them, would emphatcaly re-
member those in bonds as bound with them, and that
they would have made haste to render free every &C.
cupier of American soil that while they sent up the
note Of praise to heaven in consideration of their own
Liberties which had been secured by long and con-
tinuod struggle they would with each alternate breath
have lifted feryant prayer to the Ruler of Nations
that no opposing influence should spring up to impede
the progress Of those principles of equality which had
such strong hold of the hearts of our countrymen =
that this consideration, and this alone should agtate
the people until slavery and all its nurturng influences
should only be known among the things that were.
But upon examination of the acts of our Govern
mcnt, we find that nothing has been done, up to the
present time, tending to carry out and complete its first
designs. That fire of Liberty which kndled and burn
ed so brilliantly for little while in the hearts of the
people, and which should have burned until the last
vestigo of all that oppressive had been DESTROYED
in its flames, was smothored and eXtngushed ere its
work was half ccomIlishod. Almost three-fourths
OF a century has the nation existed since the adoption,
IN Its infancy, of these republican principles, without
their consummation Even more than this for in
stead of laborng to enforce the spirit of our decara-
ton we have busily perverted its noble intention by
extending the curse of savery and instead of seek
ing the administration of principles purely republican,
our efforts have been directed to the establishment of
Il most malignant monarchy. Our Presidents in their
inaugural addresses and annual messages, and our sec
retaries and ministers penpoentiary have in their
official correspondence passed over the subject entire
", as though it were an object of no consequences
This being the case, ask if it is not time that
the American people return to a consideration of their
first national Prlnciples2 Shall we not leave the tr-
fling questions which have ever divided u.s. and labor
for the promotion ofan object worthy the efforts of men?
Shall we not labor to render land the dwelling
place of free and enlightened people? Shall we
not now, while there is hope make one mighty effort
to redeem that character of the country which we so
willingly changed for the right to deal in the flesh and
blood of her tree-born sons and daughters? Shall not
our Legislators be brought to egslae for the people
We believe the time is already upon US when the po-
ltcal question is to be Slavery Lbcrty-ihat the lib
critics of three millions Of human beings are no longer
to be parod with-that there is still virtue in the peo
pie which calls for a consideration of these WRONGS.
and which will never rest until America is wholly and
. Internationally free. We believe that the voice of
e the Free North is and will be Liberty Lberty!!-
that they will view with contempt the efforts for the
further extension of the power of Slavery-that spr-
$ it, though too long latent is kindng in the bosoms of
! Northern people which will demand the freedom of
all.
y We ask you Their, Freemen, where will you be found
in this struggled Is it not subject worthy of your
IS serious consideration, and is there not responsibility
d attending your decision which is weighty and which
cannot be avoided? Are you not bound by the oath
you have taken to cast your vote where shall most
promote the welfare Of the country and can this well
fare be best promoted by making the question one of
pecuniary interest? Are you not rather pledged to
look for the interest of the whole people-and will
you do it?
To the Freemen of Vermont, we say, ponder well
these nterogatories and act with the dictates of
, humanity and judgement, and we have little fear of
!" the result. H.pu