Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-03-27
"MY POSITION" DEFINED.

Mr.. Speaker, | have finished what | intended TO
say on the subject before the house. Before TAX
ing my seat, however, | must beg its indulgence
to permit me to follow the example Of others, by
" defining my position"
The decided ground | have taken on the subject
of slavery may have led some to doubt whether !
should not abandon my political associates, and
withhold my support from their candidate for the
presidency. ] take this occasion 10 say that no.
thing can lie farther from my intention than this.
Before the meeting Of the Harrisburgh convention,
publicly expressed my determination 10 support
the nominee ofthat convention, whoever he might
he of the wing candidates then lelorc the country.
Andl am happy TO say that a selection has leen
made of one who, to his firm support Of genuine
democratic wing principles, adds personal
qualities which very much endear him to me, and
greatly heighten the claim which his political
principles give him to my confidence and sup
port.
II | am asked what are Gen. Harrison's present
views on the subject Of abolition, my reply Is, that
| do not know. | do know, however, that they
cannot lie worse than those of his competitor
and | am willing to assume, for the present pur-
pose, that they are no bei,er-wilh, however,
this difference, touching his own course, that he
would not, as | trust, embody IN his first Official
act, a pledge, in advance, that he would exercise
the veto power, either upon this or upon any 9TH
er specific subject. | think he will have the de-
cency to wait for the proper occasion, and then
nv" ''' ~ tIc'' INV ~
ercise OF the power in any case that may lie pre-
scntcd TO him.. If were a southern man, | would
spurn any profer of aid to sustain slavery, made
for mere political effect, and in fragrant disregard
Of sound principle, as well as Of the prophecies OF
the high station Of chief magistrate of the coun-
try. | should never deem the interest | desired &c
protect, safe in such hands.
In supporting Gen. Harrison, | place abolition
entirely out Of the question. Not that | do no
regard it as a subject Of very great Importance
and, indeed, as | have shown, Il subject of sreat
political importance. But ii is moi, and canno
be the great practical question for the decision o
the country at the approaching presidential elec-
ton. The public mind Is not prepared to have al
abolition president. | cannot act in obedience
to blind impulse, and must see that sonc good is
to be obtained. What possible good can come IL
abolition, or to any other interest, by now bring
ing this question into the presidential election 2
! have never been able TO see any; ] cannot nov
see any. On the contrary, it seems TO me The
cause of abolition would be greatly injured by it
Abolition is eminently a moral and religious en-
~terpTise. II owes its existence to christianity. It,
triumphs have been emphatically the triumphs O
christian principles. Emancipation would not
in truth, he safe without their conservative influ
ence. That influence is now eminen,ly c~onspicu
Gus in producing the suspicious results of eman
cipation Witnessed in the West Indies.
The first step, then, in The great reform must h
in the church.. Little progress can be made in en-
tightening and purifying public sentiment on thi
question, while the church. the pillar and groun'
ofruih"-remains insensitle 10 the power of truth
Here is a great, and ! am sorry TO say, a Difficult
work TO be performed. The darkness which ha
long hung over the American church, on the sub
iect Of slavery, has been like the darkness q
Egypt. II must be ~dispelled as il has been il
Great Britain. The obligations Of the christian
religion must be seen and felt as obligations whic
know no distinction Of color. The church must n
longer ask, with unfolding indiacrence-"wno i
my neighbour :"
And then the moral feeling of The whole com
munity is TO he awa kenei. The true nature Z