Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-08-30

tThc following communication was sent TO the Edi- |
Of the Democrat, and being refused an Insertion
handed to this Office, agreeablyt the request
of the writer ]
Mr., Nichols,-Sir 81 observed 10 your last
paper an article, under the editorial head, charg-
ing me by name with inconsistency, in refus-
ing TO pledge myself TO oppose the election of
Mr.. Clay to the presidency. And, presume
under these circumstances you will not deny
me an opportunity for explanation through the
same channel that conveys the charges. And
FIRST you will suffer me to correct you in two
particulars in which you appear to be misin-
formed.
decline the honor Of being " leader Of Alb
oitionists, or OF any other 'scan" in this county
neither will admit that am folloper of
any clan or party, any further than entertaining
sentiments in common with other men, makes
me such. The other point of error into which
you have fallen, is the credit you give me Of
manufacturing "bar-room speeches" | pos
sess no talent Tor speech making, and especially
Of that character the bar-room nostrum have
long since resigned to my political and temper
ance adversaries.
The statement in relation TO the Abolition
meeting at w. Townshend, is substantially
true A resolution was introduced and advo-
Gated in the following words
Resolved, That it is as inconsistent to rote
for slavery, as it is 10 speak, write, or pray for
it,"
The passage of the resolution was opposed
for various reasons, some Of which will en-
deavor to commemorative obvious sentiment
Of the resolution is, that il is inconsistent for
Abolitonists to vote for pro-slavery man for
any Office in which il is possible for the incum-
bent TO exert an influence favorable to Slavery
Ii is admitted that on a superficial examina-
ton, the proposition appears plain and unde-
niable; but after all, belivee it embraces
principle which cannot be carried out in prac-
tice. Extend the doctrine in relation to other
sentiments about which men are divided 10
opinion, and we virtually disfranchlse our
selves in every election. Who will contend
that il is duty to speak, write or pray for the
prevalence of infidelIy7 Yet a man is In
nomination for office of fair moral character,
OF superior talents and integrity, possessing
correct opinions on political subjects, and yet
if not professedy, he is in practice an intdel.
To oppose him would be TO secure the election
of an Incompetent, unprincipled rival. Now is
il not plain that in casting vote for the former
we secure greater good, while we do not en-
dorse or appreciate his religious creed Again
he may be Baptist, Congregationaist,
Unversalist or Roman Catholic, and accord
ing 10 the doctrine of the resolution we cannot
consistently give him our sutfrages, for in so
doing we admit the correctness of his religious
sentiments. II is by many esteemed duty TO
labour and pray for the advancement of the
Christian religion aud for our rulers, that they
may be men ruling in the fear of the Lord-for
such TO vote for man TO Office who gives no
evidence of practical pety, would subject
themselves to the same charge of inconsist-
ency, as is advanced in the case under con-
sideration. Then what is it the duty of Chris
tians TO do Being in the minority, in any
given town, they must voluntarily disfranchise
themselves--or il more fortunately situated
they could control the vote of the town, they
must subject themselves TO the mputation OF
uniting "church and state" How do profess
sors of religion act, and how have they acted
in this matter heretofore Just as some Sin
consistent" abolitionists now propose to do,
prefer a Christian, every other way equally
qualified if available bul not insist upon evil
dence of piety as sine qua nom qualification
fer Office. But yet we are not, by any rules oil
consistency, prohibited from speaking, writing
and praying against the prevalence ofin6delity
and irreligion, both in high and low Places
So in relation TO the temperance cause :--activt
and conscientious men in the temperance re-
form have long witnessed with unaffected pair
The evils resulting from the license system, an6
seen it productive of all the miseres anC
wretchedness flesh is heir to- and they fee
il important that men of similar views ans
feelings should be entrusted with the revision
OF our statutes on that subject. But YET, wheI
temperance men in town are in mincril,
and also unhappily divided in their politica
views are they obliged in order to preserv
consistency, TO throw away their votes, becaus
temperance candidate would be unavailable
and not only so the Withholding their vote
might be the very means of elevating to ofic
political adversary whose labors and infiu
ence, in our estimation, would bring calamit
upon our State and country Must they So
crifice every other consideration because the
cannot be gratfed in their temperance wishes
They in common with other men have otht
interests TO be protected and other rights
support than what are specially conuecte
with the temperance question and il they cal