Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-07-16

what have just said.''
| confess that if may take your words in
the sense they would naturally be taken, the
sentiments you have just uttered are widely at
Variance with your opinions in regard to this
subject on previous occasions
Z" 1t has always been my custom to speak
openly upon whatever subject occupies my mind;
no matter how prejudicial it may be to my own
interests. Ny words are plain, and think it
can require no great powers of penetration to
discover their real meaning"
g find, " said Maitland, in hesitatine tone,
+" that Abolitionism, like many other contagious
disrasgs, often goes where least expected but |
had not dreamed of its penetrating SO far
as
A deepening frown upon Col. Montague's s
brow, caused Maitland to restrain whatever he
was about to utter.
" presume that Oakland was the word you
was about to utter, and admire your discre-
ton, while / detest your fear of doing so. No
man ever did impute the hellish stigma of Abo-
litionism to me, and his brow was knit, his
lips firmly compressed, as he added" no one
ever shall "
" Far be it from me, sir, to apply to you the
degrading title, yet your words were weIl-cal-
culated to convey that idea to my mind"
May inquire how!"
You remarked that you cared bat little
which party was dominant here, and that Right
often triumphed over Wrong, though every ad-
vantage seemed in favor of the latter. Per-
haps that is the reason why we have been con
quered SO often lately" and snecr curled
Maitland's lips.
IL must say that think it is. The struggle
now going on in the Territory is simply one Of
Right and Wrong, and if we but calmly look
at the matter, and throw self interest away, in
making our decision, there can be but one opin.
ion in regard to this matter"
1T seems, then, that you are taking the
broad, and rather dangerous ground, that thu
part we are acting is buta hypocrtical one
and in doing cur utmost to perpetuate the in
stitution Of Slavery, VIC are acting agains
what our own conscience tells US is right"
You have expressed my own mind as vel
as could have done it myself That we arr
wrong in not giving these Fee State settlers III
equal footing with ourselves, | am confident
and that we shall, in the end, be beaten in thi
struggle, sincerely believe. Will you explain
sir, in what manner am taking dangerou
ground iuexpressing these opinions'" /"
"I will tell you. An incensed communit,
often turns its wrath upon those who have beer
its strongest friends, and think, should you
opinions become known, that public sentmcn
would condemn you, and serious consequence
might, and naturally too, ensue.'
contemptuous smile wreathed Col Monta
gues features as Maitland finished.
p " 1t strikes my mind that you are advocatin
;. opinions upon the subject originating in you
y own mind, and if so, would suggest that yo
keep them to yourself. When want advice
;c relation to what course am to pursue, wi
:, ask it. care not what the consequences yo
4 refer to, may be, and defy you, and all tt
base tools that you command, to attempt ar
~ proceedings against me. have some shg
=. influence in Missouri, but perhaps yours M
~ overbalance it," said Col. Montague, in a tol
h of keen sarcasm.
49, Col. Montague" said Maitland in quic
>. excited tone, what has changed your opini,
;. thus As President of The Blue Lodge, "
!, held different views
my opinions sir have undergone no chang
= whatever. As President of The Lodge, act
i, a part despised, and while you furnished i
80 formation upon existing troubles in the Ter
:. tory, like dolt, as was, acted upon it wit
:; out anything to substantiatei it, other than 20
: own word
- "And is not my word sufficient, or do y
"A mean to impute to me, by that remark, I
~ stigma of liar " exclaimed Maitland, sprir
l. ng to his feet with clenched hands,
- ~ "Sit down, sit down, sir. Your excitemt
:. must be extremely fatiguing besides, am
q easily ntimidated by show of courage II
- :, was said in tone of perfect camness, and W
- a flushed face, Maitland resumed his seat.
said," continued Col. Montague, i" that char
preferred against men in Kansas, were belle
:. to be true but they have proved wholly fal
| know not how you obtained your inforr
:. " tion; but either you were sadly mistaken,
-. it was done 10 crafty personal spite"
at might, perhaps, be as well sir, if J
- - would cease personalities. Since have b.
:. in this room, you have grossly insulted me.
~ :. if you are man of honor you will either
tract or give me that satisfaction which
gentleman has right to demand of anothe
'' Considering the relative positions we oc
=. py in society, you will excuse me il decl
mo giving you tho satisfaction you speak of, ft
have nothing to retract. When l fight, sir
I'D is with my equals. repeat what have
TO fore said, that the information you have at ii
es. furnished, has proved wholly false My We
are plain, and think they need no further
10 PLANTATION -
eat "They do not, sir" replied Maitland. wi
esq quivering lip. Perhaps ere leave you
'"'' day, our positions in society may be equal,
Col Montague, as beggar, may not enter
" so high an opinion of himself as when in
su- possession Of Oakland
mes 1t was fearful to look on the bloodless lips
lat glaring eyes and distorted features of Col.
tague, as Maitland said this. He had tou
its a spot, which were better for him, had he
j. to it alone, and quick as thought, his host LEI
ue's over the table at which they were sitting,
look fastened his fingers like wise upon bis thl
that Not anticipating any such demonstration OF
'nly part of Col. Montague, Maitland was unab