Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-09-04
ITHAMAR SMITH.
The Union and the Church Safe /!

recent meeting of our church for their consider
ation and their action upon the same. AS ours
is one of the largest congregational churches in
the state, and upon the subject lmbued in these
resolutions, probably fair sample Of then all,
not only in this state, but throughout the coun-
trv. and as their influence is mighty for good or
for evil upon this subject for the desnies of the
natin, and especially at this evehtfnl period, Il
is important that their true position should be
known, so that it may be seen whittier as is flip
antly said that the present apparatus and ma
chincry of the church, if properly sustained and
kept in motion by the contributions of the MEM
bers is sufficient to "evangeze and christian
ize the world" or whittier after all is accom-
plished that is ever pretended to, there will not
be three millions of slaves, and nation of slave
holding still in state of heathenism far more
depIorable, and more sinful so far as the latter
is concerned, than those they have labored to
convert. If you think the cause OF truth and hu-
mainly will in any way be promoted by publish
ing these resolutions, and this communication
concerning them, you are requested to do So if
thereby you will not have to exclude more USE
full matter and assure you it is more in shame
and sorrow than in anger that make this re-
quest.
The meeting at which this subject was pro-
posed was much fuller one than usual-be-
ing called for another purpose -and was attend
ed by all of the most influential members;
majority of whom was opposed to any movement
of the kind the most of whom, however, mani
tested their opposition by withdrawing so that
the friends of the measure were enabled to
choose a committee to prepare resolutions to be
presented at future meeting, consisting of
Deacons Lewis Holeman and Dr. NJ Stafford.
This, however, not till a very curious parlia'
mentary manouvre was performed by worthy
brother, for the purpose Of defeating the object.
But when the time came (some five or six weeks
afterward) for action upon the resolutions the
friends of the Union and the Church were on
hand, lest the one should be broken asunder and
the other greatly disturbed. Two of the COM
nittee made observations in favor of the resolu
tons, but not for their adoption at that time,
preferring that they be laid over for consdera-
ton and discussion at subsequentmeetlDg, but
the friends of " law and order" thought them
SaltnGether too fanatical to BIZ entsF ~ ?.
moment, even by harBoring them over night, SO
motion was Immediately made and carried to
dismiss them. Two set speeches were made in
favor of thi 8 movement; one by very respect
able lawyer, the other by venerable minister
of the gospel. One took the ground that such
action by churches or individuals, had tenden-
cy to lessen their piety, more or less just in
proportion as they became engaged therein.
This he had observed to be general rule, lex
cept in the case of those present of course) that
the more a church or an individual becomes en-
gagged in The work Of" breaking every yoke and
letting the oppressed 60 free," and doing to
others as they would that they should do unto
YOU" the more he or they lose in piety! AS an
illustration of this almost self evdent fact, the
case of two individuals were adduced, viz: Hon.
; Titus Hutchinson and Theodore Parker God
save the mark. Well for these gentlemen that
their characters are known beyond the reach Of
this brothers influence, or they might be cast of
as infdels and heretics, for thus unwarranably
presuming to remember those IN bonds as
bound with Them"
The ground taken by the other speaker was
that the union was very precious; it was the
price OF blood it had even cost the life of son
and son.in-law in his fathers family. And as
this glorious and costly union, and the peace Of
the beloved church were in great peril by the
agitation of this question fugitive slave law in
particularly the subject had better be chopped of
and suppressed the sooner the better.
One of these brethren has son in success
ful course of education at West Point free cost
of course)-a letter from whom was opened and
an extract read which he thought very opper
tune and appropriate on that occasion, as 1t con-
tanned very glowing panegyrc upon our gto
r,ouS union, and back handed slur upon his
own native state, for presumng to pass laws fol-
the protection Of her own free citizens against
the kidnappers Of the south. How, said he 1.-THE
boy) could feel or say otherwise, upon this sa
cred spot, in sight of the blood-staned shores Of
old Hudson Where our fathers fought and
bled for liberty, and this glorious union! 4!
Poor boy, thought too successful has been the
l training of this school of death and infamv ir
: drying up and Graduating from that youthful
breast every ennobling aspiration in favor o.
those heaven-born principles upon which ouI
government processes to be founded liberty
equality and justice and learning with zes
to read them all backward and to see nothno
in the elements Of our government worthy of ad
mration that is not associated with the idea of =
big gun, glittering epaulet, southern chiyaIrv
&c.
The other brother that made a speech in 3D.
position, has son and daughter in a slave state
and is himself and has ever been staunch friend
: OF colonization, as also is the other; they arc
both Wings of the purest water, even to the
) going it for Daniel the apostate.
One other brother of the same politics, made
, few observations upon the same side His
objections were that the resolutions were toe
much of political character to come within the
sacred precincts of church action. O.
Had our meeting been full one and all pres
ent voted, neither of which was the case, the
: result think would have been the same inclu
ding even the sisters.
feel warranted in this inference, from the
fact that at recent meeting Of the ladies' be.
nevolent association, connected with this church
paper signed Hiram Wilson was presented
II asking some donation fOr.the relief and benefit