Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-02-06
MONTPELIER, VERMONT,

nuf tuN0amenIal D"ClaTdt'oH -'""'
nd Institutions pronounce freedom W5te mans
natural right, and slavery a crlInt,
Yet, in IA land founded BY refugees iiom Vr-
amy, built up by the veterans OF liberty '"'' OF
humani'ies, filling the earth with her zeal Tor
freedom, and charities of religion ~l'fs such
Ind, three millions Of men, yearly aug'nehtihg'
are by law pronounced animals; they are o"rn
in misery; unbaptised, unta'ght; e1eY i've
without religion, without chastity, @'Ripnt lhe
virtues Of honesty, without the rights offamIlles,
or Observation-Disclosures Of sale, or ottude vi
olence or husband all chuches and aif Bibles,
an societies for the disturbance Of foreign idol
utry and meetings sympathetic for Poland, Ger
many, for France, tor Italy, for Hungary cannot
produce victory scarcely desire ies eman
cipatlOn.
Nny--SIavery becomes insoeni,it appropri
ates the government - it directs public policy
il secures honor and ein0lu Dents, it surveys and
takes possession Of neighborlng lelrl'orY:l 1t pre-
pares to lenghen its cards and strengthen Its
stakes in the sight of all this people and Com
merce interposes to secure it immunity!
They who detest it are made detestiale. No
body is in danger ofnnbs so much as he who in
slsls upon practical liberty.
The bible is betr yod; Churches sqnsldlSed
by the powers If Comm rce, whose champions
dwell thickly in its midst, are to pld the pulpit
speaks in qualified phrase, or IL duInbs or un-
der judicial nfatuatIon, pleads for adplterated
humanity; for low views of justice aud for
the most Commercial views ol Conscience, 1t
tells men, III the theory, to obey God; but, in
practical instances in which law. ffalned il in
iquity set man at vanence with his conscisnce
his God, and his race. it insructs hInl,o obey
Governments rather than Conscience, s,r, raher
not to have any coscience contrary to statutes Of
Legislatures.
The events Of few months past in this met
ropuIls are the st commentary upon these le-
marks Political and Commercial Influences
nave been arrayed against the Reason and The
Sense of Right. Discussion, the only righful
solvent Of questions in dispute. has beenlassaled
with the most violent effrontery and pronounced
agitation, reasonable and dangerous. The
III 'st open appeal has been made to the selfish
ness of men against their judgement. Submls-
sion or silence have been the alternatives. No
means nave heen spared to alarm the Ii nd, to
change the wavering, to sIleIlcethe prudent, to
punish the refractory.
Around what questions has this yiolenc
ragged? New and dangerous heresies? No-
The right OF men to Ilbeny thu right of free
speech; the right of individuals to relnka obedi-
ence to laws which com,nand them TO 49, ihase
old. precious. world renowned, and nov, world
revered. questions, have been brought down from
their char of authority, put again init Ihe lists
and compelled to do battle for life and liberty
with all the old arguments of their oppres
Zion and ovtrth own by them hundreds U
tilnrs.
Conne ciAl COMMUNITIES are liable to have
n0ney made measure Of value
This Is right III merch lndise; but cOmmerc
tends to produce state OF public sentiment, Il
" hlch men work bv then money values i
winch cOnne cial virtues take precedence q
moral excellence; in which wealth become
rank, hnnpr, and authority. When men ar
measured by The scale Of their 6nan"ier, gol
has corrupted integrity virtue becomFs canke
ed md ruin impends.
Although commerce has many kindly Unfit
ences tor Art, and achieves for men a leisu'
brfitting art, and wealth for its support, ye
there IN danger that art will he regar led a3 bI
higher form of mer handlse Artists will b'
: come Altzans They will be paid upon a sea
! OF prices, winch will make tn" rnluthrs ola sh
or house and the painting ofa historic scene, bI
e different lev, |, Of one trade. The 'nOhFnt tn
s Art ceases 10 labor from love, and in tue spirit
gam, it is debauched.
u The same evil creeps stea'hlly upon Il
= church. The power of religion is moral powt
1t is the natural force of goodness. 1t is thu pow
K er of heroic humanity. 1t is the power OF INT
+ walking earIessly in the Spirit of God.
When for tins the ch,nch relies for her for
/ upon Architecture, upon calh, upon the sc
+ ular influence of thrifty members; upon an a
k. ron clnnlvance with the popular viii upon me
2, rctinemens and trappJnIs, she has been sec
III lullzed
The danger is cspeciallyto to be dreaded il
n cuuher clal mart. Commerce knows nothing
unproftgble fervors ri nnn paying graces !;
IS uf religion which nelE the pocket to enrl
N, the art. Nowhere ought there to be Sucl
rs jealousy Of secular influence, such double Il
en- triple match against insldlous worldly prude
at as amongst churches IN Commercial at'n
on phere.
tn 1t is matter ofgreat joy and ofdevout than
nl- giving, that in this land, Commerce is engraf
upon tough integrity, upon a strong regl
.e- stock. We regard the conflicts ut the pres
ms hour TO b the conflicts of selfshness, in the
It mes of Commerce with the spirit Of Christie
ere ". It's Ju.tc,, Rnctitnde. Hu unanity, IN
ex side Expelicny, Interest and Injustice u
IN: the other.
ion The battle may have many Phases' Out
one issue. It is but for good men to stand
es Let men be tried Let those that are MT Ge
lat ine be cast fro the bough, like tho nati II
OF truit. When all that are fearful have fed,
the oxpedient have equlvocated and dodG
om- when the pusannons have surrendered,
ch- the insincere have circulated in Il the wore
be hyr ocrisy. there will be found enough left Of
the shaken honor, and unbrihed humanity, to
now deem the noble name Of Commerce from
grace.
llnd ferventlv believe that Christianity is
ed in Commerce That out Of the Mart
are spring forth developments Of Christian chara
ri III,