Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-03-18
Chr freeman
For the Freeman.
An Anti-Slayery Reminiscence.

w ME l WOulu IOG III Illc lctSt uClIitCt
from the glory of the central sun, may w,
not vet gaze so steadftstly at him as quit
10 lose sight Of certain of his satellites
who. by virtue of their faithful servic,
and their heroic devotion to the cause OF
human rights, are certainly deserving OF
special and grateful recognition9
Among the earliest and ablest Of the
anti-slavcrv agitators of northern Vermont
was certain plain, comparatively uncul-
turcd man by the name of Briggs. Upon
the organization of the ever memorable
Liberty party. he founded at Burlington,
and for several years successfully edited.
the Liberty gazette, a paper which subse-
uuentlv became the Free Soil Courier
undcr the late +. A. Stansbury, and then
the burlington Courier under the editorial
control of man by the name Of Sampson.
To the last it was true to its earlier prin-
ciples-nevcr having shed the character
originally impressed upon it by Mr.. Briggs.
It is Lamartinc, believe, who says that ii
i, sufficient evidence that Liberty is divine
that the characteristic instincts of you'll
are all that way. With the most perfect
distinctness, though only mere boy at
the time. do still remember the mechan-
ical appcarance of that old Liberty Gazette,
and NV admiration for lit, | am satisfied.
was inspired solely because of its heroic
attitude in opposition to the institution of
slavery.
Mr.. Briggs not only did valiant service
with his pen in behalf of his political
views, but withal, being a zealot in the
cause of freedom, and a staunch advocate
of Mr.. Garrison's doctrine of immediate
emancipation. his fluent tongue and stem
torian voice were devoted TO and Were
often heard in the region where he lived.
in defense of the slave sometimes, in
deed, accompanied by one, not so much
il is to be presumed, to serve the purpose
Of the terrible example, as to show that
though considered only chattel at the
South. he vet possessed, and often in an
eminent degree, all the attributes of man
hood. Whether Mr.. Briggs be still living
or not | am unable to say. l Judge not.
Many wears ago he removed to the West.
Nothing. to my knowledge, has been heard
concerning him during all our late civil
warand the still more recent and glorious
uiumphs Of freedom.
In the meantime, am personally con-
versant with an event in connection with
Mr.. Briggs life which should be set down
in his biography and spoken of to his
everlasting honor.
You remember that when Daniel Web
9ter died everybody was singing and shout
ing his praises. That was the fashion.
On almost every platform, in almost every
pulpit. (Theodore Purker's being a NOTABLE
exception,) tie departed Statesman was
the theme Of eloquent, ornate, and more
OF less eXtruyagant eulogy In Burling
ton. as also in various other places, Il
special service Of respect and of funeral
honor was held. Rev. John Wheeler
j. D., formerly President of the Univer-
-ity of Vermont. delivered the oration. In
the course of his address. which was wholly
eulogistic. the venerable divine uttered the
unqualified statement that Daniel Webster
had always been faithful to freedom. n,
sooner had the distinguished speaker con
cluded than like another - Daniel come to
Judgment" Mr.. Briggs, who had been
occupying an obscure seat in the audience
sprang to his feet and, in Il voice of thun.
der, squarely contradicted the Doctors
statement. The learned speaker tells us,
said Mr.. Briggs, - that Daniel Webster has
always been true To freedom. I fatty deny
it and am prepared in this presence tC
eub,tantiate my denial" He then pro
ceeded to a,Iduce his proofs, giving fact
date. chapter and verse. in rapid success
sion. and with a swift and terribly wither
ing and resistlcss logic. winding up by no
only aspersing the " GoG-like Daniel - fol
his political hercsy, but, if recollect cor
rcctIy, arraigning the venerable spcake
himself as also unflithful to freedom, fo
the sake apparently, of offering up incens
To q political idol, and for prlcticall,
plaving into the hands of the kidnappel
and STAKEHOLDER. by thus perverting, mis-
representing history, and virtually apollo
-izing for one of the meanest, wickedest
most atrociOus systems on which the SUI
Of heaven ever shone.
Nothing could have been more manly
fearless and bOld,-nOthing more impres
i've than this rebuke. 1t was received il
perfect silence Tie indictment was ter
ribIy severe, but not word by way o
justification or sclf-defense was attempte
in reply. Mr.. Briggs WAS victor. 1t wa
the opportunity of a lifetime, and III :
nobly and faithfully was it improved.
.lll honor to these early patriots an
heroes. these noble souls-these few faitl
ful ones among the many faithless! Ii
ther memory be kept ever fresh, and ma
the sol ever grow green above their ashes
Let their deeds be rehearsed to on
children, As were once the exploits {
Spartan braves, to enkindle in the bosom
OF the rising generation the fires of
purer patriotism and of stern devotiO
70 the rights of human nature. In an az
OF singular political blindness and folly
these few men stood fearlessly for human
lty and Justice Uncorruptible and unde
Med they as truly stood for righ eousnes
and. truth-as witnessesof the Divine i
the human, Of the .. higher as well 6
constitutional law, as any prophe, of til
ancient time; bearing their accusing test
mony against all ungodliness and unfaitt
1ulness in high places, and especial
against all guilty and cowardly betrayal
the rights of man, as really as ever di
Abraham or Moses, or Daniel or Paul
K. II. HOWARD.