The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-07-26
BY A WING OF OHIO.
NUMBER TX.
OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.

lions that have been urged against a union
ofihe friends of northern rights. The first,
and most important, objection urged by the
"Libeeiy men" is, that "Henry Clay is the
Wing candidate for President, and they
holder" Ny first answer 10 this objection
is. that Mr. Clay is not the candidate of the
Wing pnrty, at present; and whether he
will be, is quite uncertain. Nor can adj
n,il II TO be good or sound policy for me TO
withdraw from the support Of good men at
this time, for the reason that think bad
man NAV be a candidate two years hence
for another Office Again: should Mr.. Clay
die before the next Presidential election, or
should he not be a candidate, how can they
Justify their withdrawal at The late election
from the support Of men who openly avow
and support every principle which they do
themselves. NV next answer is, that Mr..
Clay, under the laws of Kentucky, is per-
miled 10 hold slaves. By The Constitution
of the United States that is made no disqual-
ifcaion from office. 1t is an objection I'M
known 10 the Constitution, and we ought TO
be careful how we attempt innovations upon
that instrument. unless they be made in the
mode pointed out for its amendment.
The first President, under the Consliru>
lion, was a stakeholder; and the slavehold-
ers of those States have an equal right 10
office that gentlemen who reside in the free
S,ates have. Fo. us, at this day, TO estab.
fish such rule as test for office, would
be violation of the rights of the people of
the slave States. This is, in nv opinion,
highly objectionable. Ii would show us
willing TO inrade their rights, while we pro-
fess 10 maintain our own. THIS would he
inconsistent. Our inquiry should be. ,ciH
he maintain the Constitution, and tciN he
support ihe constitutional rights NJ all parts
of the Union? If we are satisfied that he
will do this, we ought not 10 throw away
our political influence, and suffer our inter-
esis, onr honor, and our constitutional rights
10 be trampled under foot by party who
appear anxious to bring Us under the SUBJ
lection of the south. | would, in all cam
dor. ask our Liberty men, whether they
would not prefer the support Of our rights
by slaveholding President. rather than
their destruction by ''northern man with
southern princices 2" certainly prefer
that our candidates should not be slavehold-
ers; for | believe slaveholding, even in
slave State, 10 be immoral and wrong, and
must detract from the moral character of
those who practise it. Like all other vices.
i, should have its due weight in our estimate
of character but it is entitled 10 nothing
more. Should nj. Clay, or his friends,
satisfy me that, if elected President. he will,
in good faith. support all these rights to
which have alluded, and which have been
so often and so long irampled upon, and he
be the only candidate. who, in my opinion,
will sustain those rIghs, and who, at the
same time, has reasonable chance for e.
lection. could not justify myself 10 my con-
science we're | TO withhold my support from
him. Were to do so, aud thereby elect a
man who | believed would violate our Con
siituiion, and disregard our rights, | should
thereby become accessory 10 his acts.
10 order TO satisfy myself III regard TO Mr..
Clay's views on this subject, ]. as one of The
sovereign people, may PROFOUND 10 him ally
and all questions tina, may deem important
on this subject and if he be worthy Of that
high office. he will not hesitate to answer
them fully and frankly. III, then, become
satisfied that he will, if elected, disregard
those constitutional rights Of the north. |
cannot support hint would be wrong for
me to do so for should become accesso.
nv 10 the violation OF our Constitution, and
the subversion of the rights Of the free
States. Questions of policy constantly re-
qnire of US mutual concessions of opinion
but no circumstances can justify the yield.
ing up of any portion of the Constitution.
When that shall be done. society will be re.
solved into its original elements.
Another objection is, that Shareholders,
when in Office. 90 injustice 10 the free States
This assertion has proven too true in many
cases, but is not correct in all instances.
quote the example Of the present Speaker Of
the House Of Representatives. The Hon.
John White. No northern man has con-
Gemned his official acts. He has dischar-
ged his duties honorably, and is as much en-
! titled TO confidence as though he lived in q
free State. Here would caution our anti
slavery men not 10 permit their lofty prin
ciples Of human rights to dwindle down &c
mere local lealOuSles. we sHouio no uioie
invade the spirit of the Constitution BY ma
king the holding of slaves test for Office
than we should permit our southern friend:
to invade its letter.
Again. it is SAID that the Wings have
done nothing in favor of those rights which
antI-slavery men consider so important. Is
the assertion co-fecil Have no; J. Q. Ad.
ans, William Slade, Seth M. Gates. and
other Wings. done what they could for the
defence and support of northern rights I
But il is said isese are individuals. YET
they belong TO the Wing party. and consti.
rule part of it; and surely their acts can
not be placed TO the credit of the other par
Nv. But do not our friends, WIN make this
objection. charge over 10 the Wing party
the acts Of individuals belonging to that pc.
itical sect when they oppose the cause Of
human righisl The great body Of the Wing
party in Congress voted to repeal the OBJ
noxious 2lst rule. A few individuals join.
ing with The opposite party prevented lis re.
peal. Our liberty papers and their party
charged this as the &c, Of the Wing partr