Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-08-16

men, and elevated them to the plane OF
American citizenship has reconstructed
the rebellious States on common con
stitutional basis, with universal liberty
has brought order out of chaos, general
tranquility out of widespread disafiec-
ton, unexpected prosperity out of fright
full devastation and has never advanc-
ed the banner OF liberty and equality
far beyond the expectation or hope of
any man living ten years ago. The day
has gone by. therefore, for any one to
exhibit remarkable courage or conspicu-
ity in the advocacy of any measure in
behalf of the rights and interests of our
colored population, except, indeed, where
the old slave-holding spirit still exercises
mastery at the South. Nor is it perti-
nent to the occasion to talk of their " in
finite wrongs" now that they are eman-
cipated and enfranchised, supplied with
multitudinous schools and teachers, free
to make their own contracts as inde-
pendent laborers, protected as husbands
and wives, bound together as parents
and children, voting and being voted for,
pursuing successfully professional en-
ployments, steadily augmenting their
home comforts and laying up wealth, oc-
cupying stations of trust and emolument,
and having their representatives in ev-
cry Southern Legislature and on the
floor of Congress. True, in certain To-
calities they are still subjected to many
indignitaries, and sometimes to horrible
outrages. but these are inflicted by that
class of incorrigible misrecreants at the
South who are just now in happy affilia-
tion with yourself to place Horace Gree
ley in the Presidential chair! True,
there is still, throughout the country, a
strong prejudice against social equality
irrespective of color /; but this is steadi-
ly yielding, and in many cases has ceas-
ed to operate. The special time to ex-
press sympathy for the ''infnite wrongs
wrongs of the colored race was when
they had few to interfere for their deliv-
erance from the auction-block and slave
coffie, from the slave-drivers CORY lash
from CALLING yokes and torturing thumb
screws, from the fangs of pursuing blood
hounds, from the clutches of prowling
kidnappers, from inconceivable agonies
at the burning stake; and when to re-
member those in bonds as bound with
them led anywhere else than to the
high places of the country. And l al
ways deeply regret, too Gas am quite
sure you now do, that for so many years
after the commencement of the struggle
to effect that deliyerance, when the ele
ments were melting with fervent heat
and mobocratic violence for the suppress
sion of anti-slavery discussion was ev
erywhere prevalent, not excepting il
your own native city, you took no active
part in that conflict, attended no anti
slavery gatherings, gave no visible sigr
of lively interest in its success for the
first time bearing your public testimony
against slavery in opposing the annexa
tion of Texas. When elected to th,
United States Senate in 1851, you sa
in that body nearly eight months speech
less in respect to the Fugitive Slave bill
eliciting strong remonstrances agains
your protracted silence, seeing, that, a
the successor of Mr.. Webster, your elec
tion was regarded as an important gair
to the cause of impartial freedom. You
silence was the more inexplicable, anC
furnished Just cause for uneasiness, be
cause, in speech made by you befor,
going to Washington, you said Th,
subject will not admit of postponemen
or hesitation. 1t is the subject of sub
iects. From this time forward it will bt
as it were, one Of the orders Of the dag
it cannot be passed over or forgotten.
We demand, first and foremost, tht
instant repeal of the fugitive slave bill.
You took your seat in the Senate Decem
ber !, 1851 it was not until the 9th o.
July, 1852, that you rose to advocate
that repeal, apologetically prefacing
your remarks by saying: Had at
tempted this duty at an earlier day, il
might have been said that as new
conner and inexperienced in this scene
without deliberation, hastily, rashly
recklessly, pushed this question before
the country" Surely, no true friend Of
humanity would have made such fling
and the possible sneers of its enemies
we're not deserving moments considera-
ton. Besides, the discussion had been
going on throughout the land ever since
the passage of the Fugitive Slave bill
so that to talk of pushing the ques.
ton upon the. public attention was a
misapplication of language.
Nevertheless, once putting your hand
to the plow, you did not look back I;
once breaking the painful silence, you
have not ceased to speak with great
holdnaSe and ra ra eloonanoa for the oorn