The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-15
"yEW ENGLAND HEARTLESSSESS."
AFormsr Resident Of Vermont Replies to Mr.
Dabncv.
Mr.. William Pope Dabney:

AFormer Residcnt of Vermont Replies to NJ.
Dsbnev.
Mr.. William Pope Dabney:
Dear Sir.-I have read with deep interest
your "Unwritten Leaf Of History" in THE
WEEKLY TINES of October 22d, aud only in
one particular am constrained to question
the correctness OF your valuable record OF the
past. .o
brethren were there in their practical manner,
| speedily settling the whole question for them
| selves without trouble or expense or loss q
| the siave-owners Or TO the state. At that
time New York and Pennsylvania had gotten
rid of most OF their slaves, tho more northern
States much sooner. THIS plan IS described
! in an elaborate note IN one OF the later edi-
/ tons OF kent's Commentaries under tue mead
| OF Master and Servant IL was 10 cstab-
lish a future date generally thirty years from
| the passage OF the act and oil slaves then IN
the State should be- free. OF course before
/ the time arrived our economical brethren
would have sold their slaves TO the Southern
| planters as their ancestors sold the ancestors
| of our slaves 10 our ancestors. Inc master
thus got rid Of his slave and the State got rid
Of slavery. but neither lost anything by this
ngiorous transaction. The business heart
lessness Of this system disguised every VIZ
ginian.'
Now what are the facts Of history? Are the
New England states justly open the charges
yOu have brought against them
| On the second day Of July. III Vermont,
not then admitted 10 the | Mon. but an lude-
/ pendent State. adopted lts first constitution.
and the first article Of It's Deciaratlon OF
! Rights (which has remained unchanged 10
! tins day is as follows
All men are born equally free and inde-
! pendent. and have certain natural inherent,
/ and inalienable rights, amongst which are
/ the enjoying and defending life and liberty.
acquiring, possessing and protecting prop
erty, and pursuing and obtaining happiness
and safety. Therefore, no male person, born
l IN this country, or brought from over sea.
ought to be holden by law 10 serve any per
son as servant, slave, or apprentice after he
arrives 81 the age of twenty-One years. nor
female. in like manner, after she arrives 10
the age of eighteen yenrs. unless they are
bound by their own consent after they arrive
TO such age, or bound by law tor the payment
Of debts damages. fines costs. or the like"
So Vermont prohibited slavery from her
birth rs Commonwealth.
In Massachusetts, at the breaking out OF
the war Ot,the Revolution there were about
six thousand slaves. In 117g a convention
was called TO frame constitution. which was
completed by the convention IN the spring ct
! 1880. submitted to a vote OF the people and
OF the Commonwealth in October. 1870.
The FIRST article OF its bill of rights was
moved by John Lowell. the grandfather OF
the late James russell Lowell and was warm
| ly supported 10y James Bowdoin the presi-
dent Of the convention afterwards Governor
of the State and the two Adamses Samuel
and John. II Is in these words:
All men are born free and equal. and have
certain natural. essential and inalienable
right among which may be TeckOned the
right of enjoying and defending their lives
and liberties. that Of acquiring, possessing
and protecting property; ~ fine, that OF seek
ing and obtaining their safety and happl-
ness
This declaration Is almost identical with
that previously adopted by Virginia drawn
by the eloquent pen Of George Mason. But
( Bancroft the historian, says the lawyers of
Virginia had not considered this declaration
as Of itself making the emancipation OF negro
slaves 10 accomplish that end. the men or
Massachusetts, in deciding how many Of their
old laws should remain In force. excepted
those parts which were repugnant TO the
rights and Liberties contained in this constl-
tuition" See Art. VI Chapter G. Constltu-
ton of Mass. And 10 make assurance dou ly
sure the Supreme Court OF the state IN 1853
held that the first article Of the Bill Of Rights
forever abolished and prohibited slavery IN
Massachusetts.
Well might Count Dumas. one Of the
French officers aiding the American Army Of
Independence. write The Constitution OF
Massachusetts, IS perhaps the code of laws
which does most honor 10 man.
must remind you here that at this time,
and TIL 1870, Maine was part Of Massachu-
sets.
-.
In 1850 the Pennsylvania Assembly passed
an act which forbade the further introduce
tion Of slaves AMI gave freedom TO nil persons
born 10 the State after the passage OF the act
In 1888 New Hampshire IN its constitution.
and in 1854 Connecticut and Rhode Island by
legislative enactments followed the example
Of Pennsylvania, forbiddiug the bringing of
slaves into these States and declaring tree all
born the ealter.
1t will be seen from the foregoing recital of
well-knOwn historical facts how unjust IL your
criticism npOn the course of New England and
Pennsylvania III their treatment OF the slay-
cry question. IN Vermont and Massachusetts
emancipation was complete and immediate
I'm the other States. those in slavery when
the Jaws were enacted remained slaves SO far ns
the law WIS concerned during the remainder
Of their lives. but their children were iree
with their first breath There was nothing 10
be gained, n you choose 20 look ~ 10 IN q lusi-
ness WAY. for a New Hampshire. Connecticut
or Rhode Island slave owner. however sordid
% sell his slave out OF q State which had left
MN lis blDlcltl lDI Hlb. hllt III pD!Ul Ol lhcb
II such sales were occasionally made thoy
are exceptions to the general rule
The old slave in Connecticut there were
few III New Hampshire and Rhode Island
continued 10 live with his old master. usually
a. ms trusted though humble friend. and
when death at last gave him hls freedom. his
body was laii IN the family burying- ground
and his memory kept in ahectionate remem-
bIance.
Nor can y0Gr severe strietHres jrstly be held
% apply g. the case of the State ~ New Nork
though her system OF emancipation was lie
gan later on on q more gradual scale. 10 was
not toll 1893 that net WAS pissed by tie
Legislature providing that all slaves then lIy-
ing IN the State should remain slaves for lifo.
bnt TINT all their children born after July 4,
1872. should be free. They were o remain. how
ever. with the owner of their mothers as ap-
preutlces. boys till the age Of twenty-eIght,
girls TIN the age Of twenty-five But the ex-
pOrtatlon at slaves was forbidden under a
heavy penalty. and the slave whom the mas.
ter thus undertook to dispose OF was 10 be-
come free ~ once.
Undoubtedly the condition Of these "ap
prentlce5' was essentially different from that
Of their parents. the slaves. but the prohibi-
ton OF their sale 10 so ont Of the State in
suIed their ultimate freedom II they should
survive the term OF apprenticeship.
In 1917 the New oTk Legislature passed an
act for the total abolition Of slavery after
July i. 1927.
was horn in Vermont and there spent the
years OF my minority. For more than thirty
years | resided IN New Hampshire and Masse-
chusetts. j know tie people Of New England