Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-02-11
Anti.slavery Convention at Bradford.


Letter from Rev. F. S. Bliss was read by the
Secretary:
BARRE, VT, Jan Is, 1858.
Mr.. j. c. WNsHIP.-Dear Sir As | sign
ed and returned {" The Call A" for the Anti
Slavery Convention which meets in Bradford to-
morrow, and as it will be impossible for me to
attend the same, it seems proper that | should
send you brief statement of my sentiments
am prepared and DESTROYS to engage in any
Anti-Slavery movement which, by moral means,
seeks the immediate and unconditional aboli-
ton of Slavery everywhere because it is wrong,
without regard to human laws, or social inst
buttons. With no other movement can pledge
my sympathy. Yours in haste,
F. S. Bliss
J. c. Winship, Esq, Bradford, Vt.
Adjourned to meet at halfpast six in the
evening.
EVENING SESSION.
The President in the Chair.
Prayer by Rev. A. G. Copeland.
Letter from Rev. j. Ola film was read by the
Secretary
To the Friends of Freedom in Anti-Slavcry
Convention assembled, to be holden at West
Randolph, Vt, on the Goth and 9th inst,
to discuss the evils of Slavery, and adopt such
measures and take such action, as the import
ance of the subject, and the state of the times,
demand.
RESPECTED FRIENDS The subject which you
have here met to discuss, is one of the gravest
and most sublime and comprehensive, that was
ever presented for the consideration and DELHI
erationsSof convention of Freemen and the
lovers of universal liberty
| This nation, protesting to be the freest on
earth, presents the humiliating and disgraceful
anomaly of nearly four millions of men and wo-
men in our very midst, bound in letters, reduced
to the level and condition of brutes and beasts,
and the number increasing at the rate of more
than one hundred thousand annually. What
! spectacle for men and angels This is the gi-
gantic, colossal evil you have met to consider
surrounded, and protected, and carefully guard
ed by the potent forces and various influences in
society and the nation.
The United States Constitution according to
the interpretations and decisions of the highest
judicial authority-muncipal law and state SOW
EMBELLISHMENTS and trade-a mercenary
press-a timid and time-serving ministry and
church-large and influential religious organ
izations-a pampering literature-the aristoc-
racy of wealth andI fashionable servility ana
intrgues of designing politicians corrupt
government-the cupidity of the age-the gen.
eral apathy and Indifference of the people; these
are the combined forces and allies of the Slave
Power that now rules this nation with a rod of
iron.
1t is misnomer to call this a Republic 1t
is an Ohgarchy, quite as absolute as the Autoc-
racy of Russia. Formidable as this power is,
the Constitution of this government is such,
that when the people SO elect, and exercise the
sovereignty that they alone possess, then this
Power can be successfully resisted and over
thrown.
The .foundation-worh, then, of the true Anti
Slavery reformer is, to inaugurate correct pub
lie opinion-the enlightenment of the people;
and to do this efectually, Slavery must be seen
in its true light. 1t must be put into the same
category with otner CRIMES and SINS. 1t must
be uncovered to the gaze of the world, that its
native, inherent denominations and wickedness
may be exposed and rebuked, as other enormous
and appalling sins and crimes are.
Shareholders must not be regarded and treat
ed as gentlemen, much less as Christians If
J Slavery is sin, then Shareholders are sinners
This whole subject must be probed to the bot
tom, and no more g compromises must be
; made with this implacable foe of God and man.
The whole truth must be boldly uttered and
proclaimed in the ears of this guilty nation
but let it be told in no spirit of bitterness, or
malice, or retaliation but faithfully and I'M
compromisingly, yet in a kind, courteous and
Christian spirit and good will, even towards the
oppressor.
1t gave me much pleasure when read the no.
tice OF this Convention to be held in my native
State, and still greater pleasure would afford
me, ii could be with you and participate in
your deliberations.
Hoping and earnestly praying that your Con-
vention may be fully represented by many brave
and noble hearts from all parts of the Green
Mountain State, and that all hearts may be
deeply imbued with the high and noblest impul-
: SEES of true patriotism, freedom and humanity,
and that this iniatory step toward higher type
OF Antl-Slavery in Vermont, may inspire the
friends with the hope of certain triumph in this
sacred cause, am, gentlemen of the Convention,
yours for the immediate and eternal overthrow
, of Slavery, JEHIEL CLArrL1N.
e. estmoreland, N. H., JAM IL, 1858.
Voted to publish the letters offered to the
Convention.
f Committee report for permanent organization
tor President, A. c. BURKE of Berlin; for Vice
q Presidents, Gov, RYLAND FLETCHER, ASA Low,
: Esq; Secretary, Guy C. SAMAsoN Assistant
Secretary, l.. j. McINDoE.
+ Mr.. Johnston presented letter from Ex- Gov
y Slade:
. MIDDLEBBURY, Jan. 20, 1858.
# N. K. JOHNSTON, ESQ. dear Sir | have
= received your favor inviting me to attend and
address an Anti-Slavery Convention to be held
at Bradford on the Goth and 9th of the pres
J ent month. am sorry to be obliged to say,
/ that my health is such as to forbid an accept
e ance of your invitation.
4 The leading purpose of the proposed Conven-
ton, as expressed in your letter, is, to " initiate
u moral movement in regard to Slavery, 60 on
y a higher platform than that occupied by the
leading political parties. In this purpose
heartily sympathize, Efforts are certainly need
If ed to give greater depth, and breadth. and
= strength, to the existing Anti-Slavery feeling
s 1t needs new impulse-a higher tone 1t
u wants more heart-more of the vitalizing infiu-
y ence OF Christian principle. Opposition to
e Slavery is necessarily connected with political
! parties, and political contests. The tendency
OF tins u.s. to corrupt its morality-to substitute
flexible rule of political expediency, for the
/ unbending rule of right. There are drawn
: "ithh the Antl7olavery current, great numbers,
= who, either from want of reflection. or want of
principle fall to get to the bottom of the ques-
tlon. and act from motives, which slight changes
OF circumstances may render powerless for any
u earnest effort in the right direction.
l. Inc public heart should be fast anchored to
Is the great fundamental truth, that all men are
equal Oefore God and, of right, equal before hu-
70 man 'ao J; and that, to set up an ownership in
,r a human being is direct invasion of the pre-
rogatlve OF Him who has said "All souls arc
NINE, and said it in sense altogether differ
4 ent from Ills claim of ownership in g the cattle
10 unOn thnnSanh hills =, ;rou.....l - . I:...l