The Voice Of Freedom

Vermont Chronicle.

In the exercise of his fault-finding propensity, the editor of this paper, in humble imitation of Mr. Bennett, of the New York Herald, tries hard to alarm himself and readers in view of the recent proceedings at the anti-slavery anniversary on the rights and privileges of female members of the society. The Chronicle has learned that after a full discussion, the American anti-slavery society has decided that women are 'persons,' and are therefore entitled, on compliance with the terms of the constitution, to the privileges of members! The Chronicle will have it, that this vote smacks of Garrisonism outright, and we are told that "it is now undeniable that the society does go with Mr. Garrison." Yea, more: "To join it, or countenance it, is to enlist in the service of his pernicious heresies, to sanction his war upon the ministry, upon the churches, and upon 'civil government.'"!!

A bare statement of facts will suffice to demolish this man of straw thus hastily constructed by the Chronicle. The question of admitting women at the late meeting was brought forward, discussed and decided as one of constitutional right, and not in reference to Mr. Garrison's views on the equality of the sexes. This was expressly stated by Mr. Leavitt, Mr. Stewart and others who voted with the majority. Art. 4 of the constitution provides that "any PERSON who consents to the principles of this constitution, who contributes to the funds of this society, and is not a slaveholder, may be a member of this society, and shall be entitled to vote at its meetings." Many members of the society (ourselves among the number) were not sufficiently skilled in hair-splitting to understand how individuals purporting to be 'persons,' whether of the masculine or feminine gender, could be excluded on the ground of their sex. Another article of the constitution is still more explicit, and settles the question in advance, by providing that 'officers of auxiliary societies, shall be, ex officio members of the parent society.' Now it so happened that a goodly number of the women, appearing as delegates, were of this character. We could not, in conscience, vote for excinding these noble coadjutors, even to gratify Mr. Bennett of the Herald, Watson Webb of the Courier, or Mr. Tracy of the Chronicle. We can only pray them all to be as lenient as possible in view of the peculiar circumstances of the case.

But the editor of the Chronicle insists that "it is now undeniable that the society does go with Mr. Garrison"—that, "to join it, or countenance it, is to enlist in the service of his pernicious heresies.—to sanction his war upon the ministry, upon the churches, and upon civil government."
This ebullition of pro-slaveryism may be best answered by quoting the following resolution, which was adopted by the society by yeas and nays, after full discussion:

"Resolved, That this society still holds, as it has from the beginning, that the employment of the political franchise, as established by the Constitution and Laws of the Country, so as to promote the abolition of Slavery, is of high obligation—a duty which, as Abolitionists, we owe to our enslaved fellow countrymen groaning under oppression."

The Chronicle is informed that abolitionists are not, at present, reduced to the necessity of either adopting or repudiating the peculiar opinions, political or ecclesiastical, of their brethren, provided they do not contravene the common object of our association. The American Anti-Slavery Society knows no sectarian creed, no partizan shibboleth. It has no tribunal for the trial of heretics, no Procrustean bedstead by which to measure its members. We recognize no leaders. We warrant no one of our members. If, at any time, our professed friends falter or step aside from the constitutional platform, we will labor and pray for their reclamation. We ask all others to do likewise. But for heaven's sake, for humanity's sake, spare us the humbling spectacle of a professedly christian watchman slumbering upon his post in the nineteenth century—in the midst of the crowning reformation of the age—or only waking to join the battle-shout of the robbers and spoilers of God's image!