The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-18
Missionary Work among the Slaves freed in
the progress of the War.


slaves who, in the progress Of the war, have be-
come free. Last Sabbath evening We had the
qualification of finding that this was not the only
association which had engaged in this work. The
Rev. Mr.. Blrdwe, agent Of the Home Missiona-
ry Society, and Mr.. William Davis, recently a
slave at Hampton, Va, addressed an interested
audience, large in spite of the rain, at the Brick
Church, on the wants of 100000 colored persons
who have become free during the last two years.
and are now within the Union lines and we take
the occasion again to ask our readers to consider
their duty as men, as citizens of the Republic, and
as Christians, toward these liberated slaves.
What is our duty toward this class of persons,
just escaped from slavery? 1t is no longer
question of abolition or continued servitude These
100000 slaves have already become free, and if
there be person so inhuman and brutal as to
recommend their reinstatement, we do not adj
dress ourselves to him. The freedmen are hu.
man beings, and as such appeal to US, as human
beings, for aid. Is it not plain that tits duty to
aid them? We cannot deny that they awaken our
sympathies, that they are in need of what we have
in abundance, clothing, food, and the means of
mental culture. Whatever our belief may be re.
specting emancipation, colonization, or abolition,
here is a present emergency that demands present
action. And it is an emergency with which we
have to deal, and the responsibilities connected
with it we cannot escape.
We understand we'll enough, - indeed it is the
staple argument of those who oppose every scheme
Of emancipation, that the slaves are ignorant,
many of them not as we'll fitted as we for the en-
ioyment of freedom. 1t is not strange that
thisis true. They are uneducated. They are
unable to read. The Bible is sealed book to
them. Most of them have DO more knowledge
either worldly or spiritual, than their masters can
make available on the plantation or the auction
block. For generations they have been raised .
and sold like cattle. Is it not evident that such
people, coming now to the light of freedom, need
most of all what civilized community ought to
be ready to give, help and instruction in the ways
Of free labor and christian civilization Is it not
plain that we cannot discharge our duty as chris
leave them to remain in their degraded mental
and moral condition without an effort to raise them
to higher level of mental and moral culture !?
And as citizens Of the Republic desiring the
welfare and prosperity of our beloved country,
have We not something to dop Procamati tons of
freedom and the progress of the war may strike
the letters from the slaves, but when this is done,
the work of the friends Of liberty and humanity
has but just commenced. The freed slaves will
at once need to be taught the best uses of their
freedom. II education is good for one it is good
for al. freemen. We send missionaries to Africa
10 cvifze and christianize the wild men of that
distant land, but be re the children of Africa are
appealing to us at our very doors. Four millions
of them are in this country, and thousands fthem
are weekly being emancipated from slavery, and
standing like the rest of US, owing obedience only
to law. To make them good subjects Of the gov
eminent, a peaceful and valuable element in the
industry of the country, they must have mental
and moral culture. But how can they learn un.
less they be .taughtP ns q, IT'D
And to this generation is committed the work
of making these liberated slaves fit for freedom
!. One generation may not suffice to complete the
work. But we can at least commence it. Mr.
Bardwell is soliciting subscriptions to enable the
Missionary Society to do some share Of this grea
,,sabor BE has already visited many parts of th'
State, and is continuing his efforts here aud vii
80, other touns anon Wa trust he will evarv