Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-03-22
Judge Redtield's Letter.

discussing the Letter of Chief Justice Redfeld,
upon John Brown and Slavery. We are of the
opinion that the Judges letter was uncalled for,
but as he thought to the contrary, the public
must be allowed to respectfully express their dis
sent from his notions. If he has any objections
or explanations, we will allow him the same
medium to ''get his foot OUT or get it in far
Their:
EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN You have already
spoken in very appropriate terms, of the article
from the pen of the Hon. Isaac F. RedGeld,
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Vt. An
article from such source, containing such SEN
timents, at such time, demands an extended
review have long cherished very high and
sincere regard for Judge Redfeld in the tenn
pie of law, have viewed him as pillar and Or
nament. was not prepared to witness such an
article as he has. sent forth to the world. Is it
not surprisingly strange that such man should
commit such ruthless outrage upon the cher
ished sentiments of the people who have so long
honored him. He must have been aware that if
there be one sentiment more deeply rooted in the
hearts Of Vermonters than any other-more in
tertwined with all the fbres of their being-it
is the love Of liberty. They have drank it in
with their mothers milk-have imbibed it from
all the lessons of the fireside and school-room-
their organs have been attuned to it from inhal-
ing the breezes that play around our mountain
tops, 1t was from this noble sentiment that the
early heroes of our State encountered pers and
death-bared their hearts to the shock of mailed
legions of the British crown, that they might
lay the foundation of our free and glorious in
situations And as the sires were stricken down
the sons have taken up the work and borne it
on The love of liberty which burns in the
souls Of Vermonters, is not merely passion for
individual freedom, or for class of men, but
for the freedom of all men, as an inalienable
right. 1t is a wide, expansive feeling, the off
spring of benevolence and philanthropy, that
would extend to all what we feel most desirous
for ourselves.
In this high sense is the love of liberty cher
ished here. This favored sentiment 80 dear to
the hearts of Vermonters, our Chief Justice ig-
nores, and by his excavations and apologies,
would conciliate the man-stealer. How much
more BETTING the man whose work is the in
vestigation of truth and right, and the admin
istration Of justice, to have employed his pen on
that holy theme of kindling adherence at the
wrongs suffered by the slave, and in melting the
universal heart of humanity into pity for his
cruel lot.
1t is said that such an article shouldI have
proceeded from one whose principles and infu-
ence, like his official station, ought to represent
Justice; it is sad that Vermont, which has
distinguished herself by an approach towards
true freedom nearer than any made by the other
States commonly called Free, should have at the
head other Judiciary man Indifferent or hostile
to the extension of freedom throughout this
land, g to all the inhabitants thereof" on the
other hand, it is some comfort to know that
such an article had to seek its first publication
without the bounds of this State, and that the
Vermont editors who copied ltspoke out distinct
ly their dissent, and regret at the existence of
such sentiments in such quarter.
Your comments, Sir, upon Judge Redfeld's
article, respected chiefly its misrepresentation
of the Republican party. With your per-
mission, will reply to some other aspects of it,,
speaking in the interest Of the fugitive from
oppression, and of the slave, not yet advanced
to the position of fugitive, and of those free
men of Vermont
rls Who inheart and hand, would be
a0 Earnest to make others free."
When Judge Redfeld speaks of an intention
of John Brown g to excite instruction among
the slaves and yet more when he represents
the success of Browns enterprise as "spread-
ing fire brands and death throughout the length
and breadth of the lands he speaks not only
uniustly and calumniously, but with entire
want of that accuracy of speech which should
characterize lawyer and judge.
Governor Wise of Virginia is to be believed
when he says that the most absolute reliance
may be placed upon the word of John Brown.
This testimony, exlorted from an enemy by the
manifest nobeness of his victim, corroborated
by all the events and circumstances OF Browns
enterprise which have yet come to our knowl-
dge. All he facts, say, agree with John