The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-08-31
LETTER FROM HORACE EATON.
Eaosburgh, August }
lH,h 1910

> propounded some inquiries 10 certain in
misunderstanding myself among tn
number. 1t is true, | take your paper
but at the time when that number of
which contains your inquiries, (daIed Jul
l27th,) should have reached me, | wa
confined by sickness, and on my recover
| could not find the paper of that date
Had | seen your call OF the time, SHOULD
have responded 10 it at once, instead o
delaying TO this late period when, wilhou
the reason of such delay being stated, my
communication would seem somewhat i'll
timed
| But | find myself, by the delay, placed
in the very uncomfortable situation O.
having before me the letter of Judge Mat
tocks, in which he expresses opinions sub
staulally the same as my own; while
your comment upon it pronounces those
opinions unsatisfactory, and seems 10 re-
gard them as unenable However, mas
much as itSdoes not require so much
courage TO encounter hostile views and
sentiments, as it does 10 meet steel bavo-
nets, have nerved myself up 10 the pur-
pose of reiterating opinions already con-
demned as hereicaI. Bat, Mr.. Editor,
as stand in this peculiarly difficult posi-
lion, trust ii will not be deemed i'm.
proper if my communication should as.
sumo something of controversial char.
acter, and if should attempt reply to
some of those objections which, in advance,
stand opposed to my opinions. And l
take this course not because have the van
ty 10 suppose that my arguments would
convince any man in opposition to his es-
tablished sentiments & settled prejudces,
but because | should scarcely be treating
you respectfully to pass by your objec-
tons without notice.
But, to be more explicit with respect to
my views of right in regard TO the Presi-
dental election, | would say, that under
the contingency which is most probable,
that Mr.. Clay should be the candidate of
the Wing party, and the choice should
appear 10 be, as it doubtless will, between
him and Mr. Calhoun, or some other man
with principles upon the subject of slavery
equally Southern and Objectionable,
should certainly vote for Mr.. Clay. | will
admit that, at times have felt somewhat
tried up,n this subject - that when my
blood has been boiling with indignation
at the thought of the interests of the North
sacrificed upon the altar of slavery and
OF the wrongs inflicted upon the suffering
slave, | have sometimes felt fJrs moment
as if this question should be made not
merely paramount, but sole and ex.
elusive one in every political movement.
But this thought has been the result only
of temporary excitement of feeling-a
mere flash oil fever which soon passed
away. 1t has never been cherished ex-
cept for a moment when sober reason had
no control. A very little cool delbera.
ton has never failed of producing in my
mind full and firm conviction that the
legitimate tendency of such course
would be TO postpone the very result
which | would so much rejoice to see
accomplished - the deliverance Of the
slave from bondage. Calm and sober
reason leaves me with no lingering doubt
that policy as friend of man, no less
than duty as citizen, would require Of
me, in the case likely to occur. TO give
my vote 70! Mr. Clay.
1t is equally repugnant 10 common
sense, and TO settled principles in law and
morals, that a man should do that indi-
recHy, which he would not, or might not,
do directly. Every man is bound to look
at the probable and inevitable conseqnen.
ces and results OF his conduct, and 10 de-
termine his acts accordingly. And if in
matters of duty he should, in matters OF
interest he does, pursue this course, |
would not then in any case, in a choice
between three candidates, give my vote
for one whom | might prefer when |
knew it would tend TO aid, and might per-
haps ensure, the election of the man whom
| considered the worst and most objection
able of the three. would, therefore. in
the case in question take my direct choice