Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-08-10
For the Waterman.
LETTER FROM WEST RANDOLPH.


a "chattel personal" in one Of the Southern
States, has been spending few days in this
vicinity cndeavoring to create deeper anti
slavery sentiment in the hearts Of the people
(in whom lies the power to raise the lever that
shall move the world) and his addresses
were characterized by urbanity Of manners,
logical augmentation, and effective eloquonce.
Amidst the bold avowals at the present
time that slavery is humane and even di-
vine institution, and that negroes are incapa-
bo OF self culture and advancemont degrad-
ing TO the society Of the white rnoe, too inn
mature in their best estate TO be entrusted
with the responsibility Of caring for them
selves fit only for slavcs,-it seems to be
tho duty Of all who would eradicate such false
aud unjust views to take due notice Of the
frequent instances, not only of equal, but SUI
peror attainmonts achieved under discourage
mcnts, aud at great disadvantage by indiyid-
ual members Of the colored race.
For il by divine decree the black race was
doomed TO perpetual serytude, how consist
ont with the holy attributes Of impartali,y
and justice can there be deviations from that
law, or how be implanted in their breasts as
pirations, and unquenchablc longings for the
boon of freedom which they were doomed
never to enioyi Far be it from me to dwell
upon phase Of the subject that calls upon
the finite TO yindicSte the consistency and
justice Of the Infinite
Alas that man should have sought out so
many deyiations from the path Of rectitude
and honor, and then attempt to wrest author
ity from Heaven for disregardng his highest
and hottest convictions
Mr. Brown has written two dramas illustra-
tive of slavery, and these he read on different
evenings at West Brookfcld "a Leap for
Freedom and How to get Backbone.
The first, by entering into the details Of life
at the great house," and in the slave quar-
tors, and by relating the experience Of Glen
and Melinda" two slaves who dared to love
each other, and after cruel abuse became des-
pcrate enough TO make a hazardous leap for
freedom, convulses the house with laughter
and then anon subdues with tender and thrill
ing pathos The latter involves a moral Of
great significance. yet is in some Of its scenes
exceedingly ludicrous. It describes New
York Democrat of the Tsmmany Hall school,
intimate with Mayor Wood and Capt. Ryn-
der-, who got elected delegates to the Charles
ton Convention, and was so jubilant thereat
chat he made great speech declaring his de-
vouon to the ,Uhoie country, lsuding the insti-
tuton Of slavery. and the ch.vary and mag
nanimity Of Shareholders, and deprecating in
cism of anti-slavcry men. He sent numerous
copies OF his speech to Charleston and vicini-
Is 90 secure for himself timely reputation,
and finally decided to make a roundabout trip
ip the South before the convention convened.
While stopping in town on the Mississip-
pi river, he was kidnapped and sold into sla-
very. All his protestatons that he was a
gentleman from New York, and belonged to
the legal profession, Democrat and pro-
slavery man, and a delegate TO the Charleston
Convention, were received as cannon -
"they had heard such looking niggers he
talk before" and before be could get relief
from his Northern friends he had the felicity
of testing the institution he believed so just,
and feeling upon his own back the scourgings
of the lash. This experience is given in a
manner that creates hearty laughter.
Mr.. Brown initiates to perfection the dia-
lcct Of the negroes, and in presenting the 9th
or characters shows decided talent for dra-
matte reading The dramas contain passages
of rare beauty AN aposrophe to the North
Star. that faithful guide to the fugitive, is
sublime and the conscious manhood of the
slave with all his burning thoughts when he
resolves to have freedom OF death, appeals to
the hearers with power which sets at def
ance all the arguments in favor Of the vile
system. 1t is scarcely possible for white
man ia his utmost devotion so to identify
himself with the bondman as to realize to an
audience the awful condition Of the slave, as
can the slave himself when be has made his
way from bondage, and developed those pow
ers which in slavery must have lain dormant
tIl the day Of his death When We meet
with talent, education, cultivated accomplish
mcnts, and an ability to interest and elevate
mankind and the possessor claims kindred to
the despisod race, we are awed into shame
and indignation at the arrogance and wicked
ness of that assumption OF power which rob'
fellow being Of the heritage Of his birthright
Mr. Brown expects to return to Vermont
ere many weeks, and will probably read his
dramas in different places. A. II.
Nrnnnnrs ON Anr-NNe nrn ininrmet