The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-09-06

| ntlcdl movement. Dut ms tnOuSnt mas
been the result only of temporary excite-
ment of feelIng-a mere fash of fever which
soon passed away. 1t has never been cher
ished except for moment when sober rea-
son had no control. A very little cool de-
liberation has never failed of producing in
my mind full and firm conviction that the
legitimate tendency Of such a course would
be to postpone The very result which would
so much rejoice to see acoompllshed-the
deliverance of the slave from bondage
Calm and sober reason leaves me with no
lingering doubt that policy as a friend OF
man, no less than the duty as citizen,
would require of me. in the case likely to
occur, to give my vote for Mr.. Clay.
1t is equally repugnant TO common sense,
and TO settled principles in law and morals,
that man should do that indirectly, which
he would not, or might not, do directly
Every man is bound to look at the probable
and inevitable consequences and results OF
his conduct, and to determine bis acts ac-
cordingly. And if in matters of duty he
should, in matters of interest he does, puE-
sue this course, would not then in any case,
in 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 obectiona>
bic of the three. would, therefore, in the
case in question take my direct choice of
the two between whom my vote would be
virtually deciding, although not given for
either so that might not indirectly do
that which would not do direc ly.
| will say then, that as an abolltionist
prefer Mr. Clay as the better man of the
two, because even if personally equally OBJ
iectionable which the other probable candi-
date. yet his party relations and connec-
tions would determine my choice. Few, |
apprehend, will have the hardihood TO deny
that the Wings, as Farty, have shown
themselves more favorable to the cause of
the slave than their political opponents /;
and their position is such that they can with
less difficulty cut loose from slavery. The
facts which establish this assertion are too
well known and understood to require either
rehearsal or comment. | would not then,
under this view of the subject, aid in throw
ing the political power of the Federal Gov
eminent into the hands of those who, as a
party, have stood in the attitude Of hostility
to the cause in question.
And here LET me not be understood to as
sprt that the Wings, even of this State. are
all they should be in relation TO this subject
| do not believe they have yet felt so for
chilly as they will, how deeply even their
| their own interests are involved in the qnes-
ton. But consider the controlling ma
| jority of them to be substantially right, and
that they have already done in this State
oil that political action could do 10 favor
the cause of the oppressed. And believe
that in this and the other free States they
are, under the influence of light and truth,
surely and steadily becoming more and
more firm in their convictions of the i'm
portance of this subject. and more and more
settled and sincere IN their hatred Of South.
ern oppression.
But granting what it would require no
common share of audacity TO assert, that
there is no preference, on this score, be-
tween the two great political parties--that
the Wings have done and are doing no more
than their political opponents, and no more
! hope for the future. in relation TO this sub
/ iect, can be reposed in one party than in
I the other, so that no motive from this quar-
( Ter coGld operate TO decide my preference
/ than should determine my choice in view
! Of olher-and, if you please, minor and even
Hfing considerations. For, in the absence
of higher principles to govern me, trifling
matters should settle the point. And these
would decide my preference still for Mr..
Clay.
But granting still further, not only that
all other political interests are trifiing when
compared with the great interests of hu-
mainly here involved, but that the other
interests of The country are absolutely moth
ing--and even then should only be driv-
en- to the position of neutrality, without any
/ possible motive 10 do oiherlcise than give
him my vote.
|, however, protest against admitting it
as truth that all the great political interests
of the nation, aside from those connected
/ with the subject of slavery, are absolutely
nothing. 1t will not do in sober argument
TO let the truth lie disguised under a rheto-
/ rical flourish. The other interests of the
country are something--something IN your
estimation, Mr.. Editor, rs well as in mine.
/ To meet you on your own ground, sup
pose that some Of your children we're bound
IN the chains of Southern slavery, and you
saw no practicable method of effecting their
immediate release and what would be the
course YOU would pursue Why, doubtless
their redemption al the earliest possible pc.
Rod would be uppermost in your mind, and
YOU would resort TO the use of every means
which you might suppose calculated to ma
stem The period. But would you neglect all
other worldly interestsl Would you neg.
lect 10 provide for the rest of your family
and leave your remaining children TO grow
up in ignorance and immortality, and 10 suf.
fer from hunger and nakedness and colo
But it is not necessary that we should sup
pose strong fictitious case, although even
in that you would not, think, come up tc
| your own standard. Let us then take
+ things as they really are Your brethren