Litchfield enquirer., 1842-03-31
From the ". Haven Palladium. March 26.
MR.. SHADES LETTER.

Just US our regular edition of to.day's pa.
per was worked off, the following letter from
Hon. VIM. Slade, member of Congress from
VT, was put into our hands by Amos Town.
send, Esq, who is we'll known as one of the
most influential abolitiouists in this county,
and who is in no sense q political par,zan.
We publish his communication and the let
ter Of Mr.. Slade, without comment for the,
benefit Of those to whom they may afford
the most interest.
N. HAVEN, March 26, 1912.
Mcssrs. Editors-ln common with many
of my Anti.Slavery friends, I have been
somewhat at u loss as to the course which, as
a freeman, ought 10 pursue at the approach.
ing election.
! have always been averse to making the
abolition Of slavery political question, al.
though it must in great measure be con-
nccted with the political condition of our
country. Yet rs it has been urged with
great tenacity by many whom highly es
TEEN for their consistent opinions on the sub.
ject of slavery, felt DESTROYS of the opinion
OF man who has always been SO true and
consistent an Aboitionis, as William Sladc,
member Of Congress from Vermont.
His reply to my interrogatory communi.
cate for publicaton-if you feel disposed l.,
publish it-for the benefit Of others situated
like myself.
Very respectfully, yours,
AMOS TOWNSEND, JR.
lpar. of Mr.. SHADES letter we have been compelled
10 omit for want OF room-Enql
WASHINGTON, MARCH "a, 1912.
AMOS TOWNSEND, Jr, ESQ.
You ask whether, in my opinion "the best
interests Of our whole country, including
the interests of the enSlavcd laborer at the
South as well as that of the free laborer at
the North, will be promoted, at the present
juncture OF our national affairs, by running
"a thiro party ticket at the elections now ia
king place."
have heretofore expressed, and still en-
terrain the opinion, that the cause of eman-
cipation would be better promoted by throw
ing the weight Of abolition influence, as far
as possible, into all the parties that divide
the country, rather than to attempt, by an
organization entirely independent, to gath
or a party-band, exclusively upon the
ground Of the abolition of slavery. have
long been placed in condition which has
led me to feel deeply the Importance Of
other interests than those Immediately
connected with the question Of slavery. |
cannnt overlook these interests, deeply as
abhor and detest slavery, and 1irmly-as,
am resolved to oppose it, and to labor to the
end Of my life for its destruction. An indie.
pendent abolition party will, almost of ne
cessity, overlook them, except as they are
involved in the question of slavery. They
arc interests of present, pressing importance.
Action upon them cannot be postponed
Though the abolition of slavery would un-
doubtedly remove one of the great and lea
ding causes of the financial evils which now
press upon the country, yet it is evident that
Legislation must reach and remedy these
evils long before slavery can be abolished,
or there will be destruction Of confidence,
a Encouragement Of currency, and Il prostra-
ton of industry, which must involve the
North and the South, the East and the
Observation-Disclosures, shareholders, and all,
in one common ruin.
Especially do feel restrained from disrc-
garding this duty, in reference to the great
pending question Of protective tariff, mas
much as that question involves SO directly
the question between the labor of freemen
and the labor of slaves.
Slavery looks with jealousy at the pros
perlfy which the universal, untiring indus
try of the North gives it over the unproduc-
tlveness of slave labor, and the idleness, dis
sipation and extravaganza which are i..sep-
cradle from state of slavery. II seeks to
conceal the true cause of Southern power
ty. by maintaining that the duties paid un-
der tariff for protection are mainly drawn,
directly or indirectly, from the South. Ii
calls protection to free labor " oppression"
and on this ground has nuIlified the laws of
the United States, and forced "com.
promise" which, unless arrested in its
progress, will PROSTATE the industry of the
North and West, and drag it down, as far as
any thing can drag down the industry and
enterprise of freemcn, TO n level with itself.
It's hostility to free labor is as deep and re-
lentless as Its hostility TO freedom. Surely
abolitionlsls are the last who ought to disre.
gard such question as that Of protection 10
free labor and yet Il seems 10 mo they will
nHncficnilY disrennrd IL if they insial. iinllar