The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-10-05
From the Emancipator.
Mr.. Clay's Slave.

The following anecdote IS related in the Bai-
more Chronicles
"When Mr.. Clay visited Canada few weeks
ago, he took with him his servant man, Charles.
who, we believe, was born. in his service, and has
waited upon him many years. At Montreal we
believe it was, some of her Brittanic Maiestv's
subjects approached Charles with assurances that
he could now leave him without the least fear Of
ever being compelled again into his service. For
some time Charles listened to these suggestions
with silent disregard-but, as they were pertina-
ciously pressed upon him, he at length put a stop
to the entreaes of his philanthropic friends by
telling them that he was as well aware as they
were of the ease with which he could now gain
his freedom; but that in fact, in the service Of
Mr.. Clay, he had as much liberty as he needed or
desired; that he preferred to remain with him, and
that, in short he acould not leare him for 10th the
CanadaS."
This is very pleasant story indeed, and quite
novel withal, proving just conclusively that
slavery is better than freedom, as the voluntary
removal of the tories TO Nova Scotia in rs, prov
ed that colonial bondage was preferable to nation
al independence Those who are aware how
many sleek divines and servile EDITORS among
white folks, are ready to argue that slavery is
blessing, will not wonder that among people of
color where every body expects to see nober
spirit, here and there pampered mental should
be found who might actually prefer the lazy in
dulgencies of waiter on Henry Clay to the ne,
cessity of earning free bread by honest industry
The inference which the Baltimore man would
have US draw, that, therefore, it is right for Mr.
Clay to hold his iellow-man as a slave-is too
strained for our assent.
But it is possible this colored man, if he were
free to tell the whole truth, might put very DIFF
ferent face on the matter The lords OF the Phil
stines, when they wanted to tempt the Almighty,
put the ark of the covenant on cart and yoked
the cows in the team, but " shut up the calves at
home" 1t is one of the refnements of American
Shareholders, to lay hold of the finer sympathies
of human beings as the subject of their wanton ex-
periments. And as the day of miracles is past,
and the Almighty does not interrupt the course of
nature, even to save republican services from be-
ing caught in the decisions they covet, our mod
ern PhiIistnes are able to keep the ark of the Lord
in the temple of Dagon. Perhaps Mr.. Clay's
" servant-man Charles" having been " born in his
service" Ii. e. born contrary to the Declaration
of Independence, which says all men are created
equally has also wife and children that he loves,
or an aged mother towards whome he wishes to
fulfil the fifth commandment, or some young sis
ers or brothers, or other beloved relations, that are
subject to the absolute and irresponsible control of
Mr. Clay, or some of his friends, and who would
incur the fearful infections of a shareholders fury
as the penalty, if Charles" did not return. And
MS spirit was too manly to let them suffer as his
hostages, even though his own liberty, dearer than
ife, must be the forfeit. This applause which
sixty generations have bestowed on the sefsacri-
icing Damon may find worthier objests among
he subjects of many more relentless tyrant in
republican America.
IT, them on these or any other grounds, Charles
lad made up his mind to return, there is not a
lave in the whole South so stupid as not to Know
without being told how he must answer such pro-
,osals if he would avoid being sent down the nv
e, TO the New Orleans man-shambes or to his t
masters sugar plantation, as soon as ne returned
home.
Mr. CLAW is welcome to all the honor which Is
he wel-informed will give for the well-consider- '
ID answers Of his servant man Charles" t