Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-02-04
State Convention.
State Committee.
February 3, 1877.

February 3, l647.
State Convention.
Our Convention at Brandon is now numbered a.
mong the things that have past 1t has past but has
not gone into oblivion 1t will long HUe in the remem
branco of the 700 or 800 of the sons and daughters of
the Green Mountain State, who were there assembled
to knde anew the fires of Liberty on the altar of their
hearts.
II lcas d noble mectng-as a mere matter of enter
tanment, well worth the journey there from any part
of the State. We have attended many similar con-
ventlons, where we have always been reproved, in
sructed and edlfed but has it been our prvi-
lege to attend one that fully met our wishes, in
almost every respect, than did our assembly last week
at Brandon. May it long live not only in the warm
hearts of tie tried friends of the slave who there en-
compussed the altar with renewed VOWS but may its
memory be perpetuated by volunteer host, who will
henceforh be found rayng around the ballot boz, to
deepen the conflict with the Iegalized want Of RepubH
can .4mericai
A goodly number of the friends and followers of
"llim who came to preach deverance to the captive,
and 20 break every yoke" were the ground before
the time arrived for the Convention, and "wth one ac
cord, in place." assembled for prayer i'll behalf of
the slave 1t was good to be there. So felt many
who there called upon Him who heareth the cry of the
poor.
But we must hasten to introduce our readers to a
scene, which we wish they all might have witnessed
for themselves for the impression would go with them
to the grave. Soon after the convention was organic
ed and the large church nearly filled, Judge Briggs
led through the aisle, up front of the audience tlco
Kentucky saUeS, handcuffed together with chain run
ming between them, after the common custom of
claiming together groups of human chattes. to be
driven from the SGUe producing to the slaUe consuming
States, in this Christian nation and with brief but
eloquent speech, introduced them to the audience, at
the same time holding up their manacles so that every
eye could see There they stood before u.s. the repre-
sentatves of three millions of their brethren and ours
who, in this land of repuJlicanism are robbed and
peeled bought and sold united and sundered at the
will or caprice of their enemies, who know no Justice
or mercy. Their very presence plead with us, ere
member those in bonds" their sence-their noble
countenances beaming with the "image divine-their
clanking chains, all spoke in thrilling accents and
were responded to by the fast flowing tears of the
whole multitude. After a moments silence, "You see
before YOU" said the Hon. speaker "two boys, Lewis
and Henry. They the representatives and person
fication of millions more having the same image and
ettcred by the iron bonds" The choir then sung
with thrilling effect the Fugitive Slaves Appeal to the
Chrstian:-
"'The hounds are baying on my track,
Oh, Christian! will you send me back !"
And them unlocking from the wrist of each the hand
cuff and removing the chain continued the speaker
8" this is what the Liberty Party propose to do break
the bonds from every limb and glue every captive liberty
and the pursuit of happiness and the right of con-
science"
Then unclaimed, these "boyS' addressed US with the
dignity of men Henry declared himself of noble pa
rentage though he felt little inc lined to boast of his
parental decent; his father being own brother to VIM.
Bib, Secretary of the u s. treasury! Six times had
he stood upon the auction block. Three times he had
been re-taken after he had escaped and was undertake
ing the perilous work Of rescuing his wife, and child
mother from the tyrans grasp. His old mother is
now free-thanks to God-but, alas his wife and
chd are "sod and gone to the rice swamps of the far
south, where he will see them no more till master and
slave shall stand before the tribunal of God His I'M
affected eloquence held the large audience in change
less attention for long PERIOD and then the only
greet was that his time and strength would allow him
to speak no longer. We have no time for description
But suffice to. say that Henry Bib is, to say the
least Of the nobest and most eloquent representa-
tves which the Patrarchal institutions have ever sent
forth. In manners he is a gentleman, in spirit a
Christian, and in power ofspeech an orator.
May friends and foes all yet have the privilege
Of hearing his plea for the slave.
With the "Boy Lewis" many Of the people of Yer
mont have had someSacquaintance. His father Dan
el Clarke Scotchman was a soldier of the revou-
ton, received wound in the battle of Bunker Hill
settled in KY, married slave woman, with the prom
Use of her master that she should be set free But
alas the old soldier lived to see his wife and nine
a children sold as slaves.
Lewis and two brothers have taken advantage o.
modern improvements in rail roads, and are now men
noble specimens they too. Their energy
shrewdness wit experience of the horrors of the sys
tenn all give them a peculiar faculty in presenting
slavery as it is" We regret that one SO well quail
fled as is Lewis Clarke to do the work of pioneer il
9 our State, should be obliged SO soon to leave it,
we expect good fruit to be gathered from this rally
OF the friends of Freedom The business transacted
looks like doing something which will be seen in flu
ture; The singing of the choir, on the occasion, ant
the hospitality OF the good people of Brandon, of al
a parties, were both worthy of all praise
= The speeches, moreover, were worthy of the bol,
cause which called them forth.
May tho "action be suited to the word"