Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-10-03

the yenoradon of the people. His work 10
Congress has been finished, and now it is
voluntary labor of love. These Writers
reflect different opinions which exist not
only in The Republican party, but among all
lovers Of the country. The gravity Of the
question deserves the bes. consideration Of
ou !, is worthy Of discussion By the ab'e.t
and best Of men, inspired by the highcs, Wis
dom
Mr. EDrroR:-I will say frankly that ]
was pained on reading your editorial of the
18Th, entitled "a Common Platform" | GER
tainly would have this war conducted upon
christian principles" I would do to every
innocent person as | would have them do
unto us. ! would, had the power strike
the -hackles from the limbs of every inno-
cent person ! would bid him stand forth a
man. 1 would bid him gain knowledge
learn the will of God and obey it. But while
consent that any human being should re-
mtin 10 bondage whom we have the power to
h5erato. | dare not invoke "the Lord of
Hosts to deliver our land from the devasta-
uon of this unhappy war. To me such a
prayer would be impous Our nation holds
the legitimate power TO free the slaves in all
our Southern States. do not now speak of
the necessity Of exerting it but l do say That
for us as a nation to refuse liberty to the
slaves, would involve us in all the moral tur-
pitude Of consenting 10 their bondage and
would not insult heaven by craving smiles OF
blessings upon our Government while we
openly and unblushingly disregard oar great
Creator will
But sir, while you speak Of our being
mindful Of our individual sins, you seem
entirely to ignore the deep turpitude of sla-
very. You refer to IL as an institution with
out character, either moral or immoral.
regard 6 as the greatest crime that man can
perpetrato against his fehow-man. "A slave,
..ays "a learned Judge "is one doomed Do his
person and property 10 iiUe WITHOUT KNowL-
EDGE' He Is doomed to live in moral dark
ness--is not permitted to know his duty to
Goa, To- bis iellOw-man, nor 10 himself. The
hight of truth is shut out from his undorstan-
ding He cannot hope for heaven, for be is
not permitted % read the Scriptures. In ev-
cry Slave State it Is made a crime 10 ienrn him
90 read the Bible. lie lives moral dsath, and
dies without hope. Yet you would not have
us carry the light Of the Gospel TO him-nor
would you have us dispel the moral night in
which he gropes ms way to the grave.
My dear sir, you are the authorized Repre-
sentative OF Central Vermont in the Congress
of the United States. As one of the people
] desire TO understand whether you hold it
''self-eyident truth that az men are endowed
by their Creator with the inalienabie right to
lye--au imprescriptibe right to Sc much lib
erty as may enable each 20 nourlsh and pro-
tect life, gain knowledge and enjoy happi-
ness
2l Was our Government Instituted to Sc
cure each individual under its legitimate ju-
ri,diction in the enjoyment OF these rights
3rd Is the individual who murders OF en-
slaves a fellow being guilty OF high crime,
for which he ought to suffer punishment:
es.--E. p. W.
4th. Can any human government author
ize one man or class of men to murder or en-
slave other innocent persons In other
words can any human Law OF constitution I'M
part TO any individual moral right to enslave
or murder an innocent person Would such
constitution or enactment impose upon the
intended victim any obligation whatever to
submit 90 be murdered or enslaved No
We are a christian nation, and lay il down
as the doctrine of all Publicists on the eonti-
neut, in England and 10 the United States tha,
no statute invading the 'Hltarai rights of
any part of mankind, can have any moral force
lr binding effect upon the intended victims,
nor can such act impair OF modify the guilt of
the enslayer or murderer That it is the du-
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