Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-09-25
The Bible Authorizes Slavery.

Mr.. EDIToR The argument in favor oil
slavery founded on the supposed sanction OF the
Holy Scriptures, is one SO frequently brought
forward by the most influential class OF our Peo-
ple-the clergy; and it is one so likely to have
weight in a religious community, that we think
it worth while to notice few of the consequent
ces which flow from it, few Of the propositions
which we must also be prepared to admit ii we
acknowledge that the Bible sanctions slavery,
and that we are to receive that sanction as bind
ing upon u.s.
The slavery which Moses did not forbid, and
Paul-as it is contended-expressly allowed,
was Whhte slavery-savery OF the Caucasian
race, slavery of men who belonged to the same
stock, has the same color, the same cast Of fea-
lures, and had generally received the same de-
gree of culture as their masters. Will any d.
vine now come forward before the American
people, before the world, and defend such slave
ry as that?
If slavery is sanctioned by the law of God,
then the Declaration of Independence and in
deed the whole current of American speech and
thought, are al variance with that law. Why
assert that men have an inalienable right to free
dom? why talk of freedom at all, or rejoice when
the oppressed rise up against the tyrants if that
ShiloIuA NOhO5 "hlOH 1Ou plOlOSo " ICFCICuCGi
commands that the slave shall be /" sent back
to his master? Do you say that negroes are
not men-that they belong to an inferior race
which ought not to be included nnder the ge.
nerlc term of /" man." at least when mental and
moral attributes are in question? Enslave then
then; but do not 60 to the Bible tor your au
thority for the slavery of the Bible authorizes is
the slavery of mdn-of the white man.
In fact tho Sorintnrol IN Eauo. -
slavery can only be consistently used by tn,
Gar OF Russia, by the emperor of Austria, b,
those despots, against whom we are ACCUSTOMED
to declaim, and whom Mr.. Webster, in his yea
for human rights, could not refrain from visiting
with censure, III manner scarcely consisten
with the rules of diplomatic etiquette. The
who would make slaves of Kosciusko and O
Kossuth, can well appeal to those writings whic
II they sanctioned slavery at all, sanctioned tina
of Esop and OF Terence. They who assert tn
doctrines of the divine right Of kings, of passiv
obedience on the part of the people, can consls
tently appeal to the letter the Scripture, whic
commands us to obey the powers that be, whic
forblds all opposition to the authority of mon
archs. If you find nothing of the " abolition
slavery" in the Bible, you will find Just as it'll
OF the "rght of revolution"
Let us be consisten: then; if instead of tax
ing Tor our guide the spirit of that Gospel whic
breaches b" deliverance to the captive" who BIN
ourselves to the literal Interpretation of ever
text, then we may ensave whom we will, b.
we must cease to revere the memory Of Wasl
ington, of Jefferson, of Adams. - Commontgealt
FLAG OF LIBERA.--It is announced in II
Liberia Herald, that the following flag and SCI
have been adopted as the insignia of the Reput
lie of Liberia, in order to mark its nationality
Fag--Six white stripes with five red stripe
alternately displayed longitudinay. In the W
per angle of the flag, next to the spear, a squai
blue ground covered in depth five stripes. |
the centre of the blue, one white star,
SeaI-A dove on the wing, with an open scro
in its claws: view of the ocean, with sh
under sail the sun emerging from the waters
palm tree, and at its base plough and spade
beneath the emblems, the words "Repubc
Liberia = and above the emblems the nations
motto The love of liberty brought us here"