Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1843-09-30
WING ABOLITIONISTS.

During the recent canvass IN Vermont Judge
MAITocKs, the wing candidate for Governor, was
questioned by the Editor Of an Abolition paper
Concerning his preferences for The Presidency;
ana was asked among other ques lions " he iher be
would vote for HENRY CLAY. The following ex-
tract from his reply cnmmends itself by lis frank.
ness and sound common sense 10 all conscientious
men who have difficulty IN reconciling their
Wing principles with their views of Slavery:
| understand that YOU in substance enquire
twill you IN any event vote for Henry Clay, "A
stakeholder. for President of the United States 2"
| answer, will and as you make a witness
against my SELF you will allow me to give some Of
the reasons why; although your letter does not
call for my reasons, but seems to assume tia nv
guilt or innocence depends entirely upon my ad-
mission or denial OF the opinions charged upon
me. Yet as you are an intelligent and candid
man, and moreover, as understand, a good Wing,
cannot but hope that when in your editorial
chair you come to Judge my case, If you cannot
acquIt me you will make some allowance for my
erroneous opinions, if you think them honestly
held, and freely confessed; and that the sentence
may be passed on me in mercy.
Being an abolitionisi, and also Wing, should
greatly prefer candidate for President who is
orthodox upon both these cardinal points; and If
such an one can be agreed upon, with any hope
OF success, my life being spared, will most
taIny vote for him.
But if none such can be agreed upon and MIR.
Clay should be nominated by a Wing National
Convention, Nth fair prospect of his election;
If he has the united support Of the Wings, aud
moral certainty that some Democrat Q prefer
calling gentlemen by the name that is moro
agreeable to ihem) would be elected If Mr.. Clay
was not; then, indeed, would vote for Mr.. Clay,
for every vote given in that emergency for the
third party candidate, would lessen The chance of
the Wing cand date, and increase the chance of
his opponent and if all the Wing abolitionisis in
the free States should do so, then would be seen
n an nj n md cfnII has
of conscientious Wings throwing away their votes
for third candidate, hnoacing that therein then
,rere aiding to elect a Loco Toco President But
you may say that the anti-slavery cause is para
mount to all other public questions, and that all
minor considerations should yield TO that question.
Granted; then in the name Of humanity do no
act that will tend to throw the Government of tho
United States isto the hands Of the Loco party,
who, you know by their votes given in Congress
upon the Gag Rule, and other kindred questions,
and oil their leading men, believe, who have
been talked Of for President by that party, arc
against any interference by Congress-, relative 10
slavery in the District Of Columbia or in the ter>
rltories. do not say it is with the leaders Of
the party in this State, but Of The other FREQ
States | think il s.
How then entire abolionst do any act
that will tend to elect one Of that party Presi-
dent,-even those who agree with them in their
general politics. Is no, the head Of party of
which all, or nearly all, 60 in body against tbs
Abolition measures, more dangerous 10 the great
and good cause, than the head Of a party, who if
himself against anti-slavery, but his whole party,
or nearly all, in the FREQ States for it? Tho
Wings can head and check their Chief, but tho
Locos will back and support theirs: therefore,
without impuung any bad motive TO the party
their leaders, YET their views Of the cons,iiu-
ton and the public policy against relief to tho
slaves any where, ought they not TO be consider
ed The proslayeIy party, and, therefore, ought
to expect the support of nIslavery meni Can
the slaves back be safely trusted 10 their opint
ions and policy2
| believe, therefore, in giving my vote for Mr..
Clay, IN the emergency supposed. l should act
in the spirit Of the freemans oath, which cave.
'that when you give your vote suffrage touch
ing the State Of Vermont you will do it SO as in
your conscience you shall Judge will conduce
to the best good of the same, which | suppose
means measures not men, and that ii is better to
vote for a candidate for President who is partly
right, than by throwing away my vote, TO aid in
eeciing q candidate who is ,rholiy rrone, agreea-
bly, to the common but true maxim, that ''haf n
loaf is better than Bread and that "of two
evils choose the least" And do soemnIy be.
lieve that by doing shal contribute my mite
TO further the cause of human liberty.
JoHN MATTocKs.