The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-08-14

of Ohio are assured that il is from one " hose
councils are worthy Of their consideration:-
Ohio State Jour.
For The Ohio State Journal.
TO THE ABOLITIONISTS OF OHIO.
Mr.. EDIroR:-I am no politician in the
modern sense of the tern-that is, | never
make stump, street or baT-rOom speeches;
and never, till now, did | attempt TO write Il
political article for a public newspaper. But
| love my country, ard feel more than ever, a
deep and almost overwhelming anxiety for
the welfare OF her free Institutions, because |
believe them to be more than ever in danger.
The present is a time big with eveBis Of mo-
mentous interest 10 every American, rs they
are events which are to decide the fate ofOur
Republic-and open a new era i'll its history.
Yes, the time is near wheu a decision will be
made whether peace, virtue and hope aIe to-
be sustained and cherished-Or W heIher anar-
chy and confusion shall prevail-liberty be
~delhroned and the light of hope extinguished
By the return of The deadly shadows of the
dark ages. Mr.. Editor ! am no party enthu-
siast-and L it is not TO he boisIerous hot head-
ed politician that | would wish to speak thro'
the medium of your paper. 1t is To the so
Der, the thoughtful aud The dispassiunate-to
the philanthropist and the christian that l
would utter the warning voice and say, b.
WARE. ] am not unconscious that there Is
an idea abroad, thai it is Il crime even 20
advert to morals or religion in a political dig
Gussion-nnd that he who does so, does il
hypocritically as one who ''steal the livery of
heaven to serve the devil ill.," And am not
surprised that such IN idea has found Il lodge
ment in the minds of some, since so many art
~ II -. ,,I,VaaaAYY- Nxhn Ea.r tnF
God nor regard man, have affected piety 10
answer their wicked and mcrcenary purposes
But, | believe there are those of pure AID
honest minds who think and speak sincerely
men who feel themselves bound by every
obligation to act in their political capacities
as moralists, philanthropisrs and christians,
with a reference 10 the future good of the ii
sing generation and the world. But | will
not detain YOU longer with preliminarics. bur
come at once to the subject which induced
me to pen this article.
am an AboIitioniSt. ] have been IRONS
childhood a hdter of everything like dcspot-
ism and a devoted worshiper at The shrine of
freedom. The unfettered gales Of my native
north as they swept through the tops Of the
mountain pines sung Of liberty, and my heart
drank in The inspirations Of the music. | have
tNGI ~ an W. nv bIlNtF'tN hhhf
down-trodden of on. land: and have done
it openly and fearlessly, brcasIing the strong
current of popular prejudice because ! felt ii
consciousness that duty required it. Yes, I
am an abolitionist from principle, as | believe
most who advocate its measures. But | trenI-
BILE for the cause we have espoused. | en-
ceedingly fear that its friends are about to-
take a step W hich " i'll cilcctuaIly defeat, and
forever, the object Of their long and anxious
solicitude, for which 50 many prayers have
been offered, tears shed and lives sacrificed;
by the throwing away Of their votes upon
James G. Birney, for the Presidency, and
thereby adding TO the chances Of the election
Of Mr.. Polk, and the Consequent annexation
OF Texas to the Union. ! have had, and still
have serious objections TO Mr. Clay, as man,
and have even said that If de we've a candidate
for the Presidency ] doubted IL should give
him my support. But | am compelled under
present circumstances, TO do so. or rcnouncc
my Abolition principles and dc violence To
my conscience. 10 Mr.. Birney | have NO
personal objections. neither have J anything
to say in regard TO his qualifications 10 dis
charge the important duties Of "A chief masis-
trate of this nation, but from the simple fact,
that Tam an .4boIifoRisf, and wish to prnmore
the interests Of the cause in The best, and he
possible way, | must give NV vote ft-
Henry Clay and not to James q. Bmey.-
That we cannot elect our favOriic candidate
is certain, consequently no present advantage
can accrue TO our cause by supporting him.
II is equally certain that James X. Polk or
Henry CLAW will occupy the presidential clair
for the next four years. And as they are boilE
shareholders we might Jastify ourseIe in
thTowing away our votes upon our own can-
provided the cause pursued by the
above named gentlemen would similarly aGect
the cause of abolitionisls, and we had nothing
to fear from the one more Than the oiher.-
But this is not the case. If Mr.. Clay is cleo
ted, we shall at least be as We are now and bv
giving him our votes Ne block the u heels Of
the car Of freedom where it is, and il we are
not able to rod it onward as fast as we could
wish, we shall at least prevent It's being driver
backward beyond a possibility of our ever
Igain bringing it to its present elevation. But
{ the the nation decide in favor Of Mr. PoIk,
lur cause is ruined, our hopes laid in the
lust, every evenue of light hut up, an eternal
,arrier placed in the way Of future progress
" lengihening the CHAINS of slavery. the
mount of human suffering increased and
,erpetuated by opening another market for
he bodies and souls Of men, and more than
bis, our patton involved in a disgraeeful and
war with a neighborihg power, by the
nnexation Of Texas which will be the certain
onsequence. In view Of facts like these.
CAN we, as honest, consistent advocates
# peace, unity, and equal rights. suffer a
nan with such principles however honest he
nay be in holding them, to be elevated to the
office within the gift of this peopIe.by
Importing a third candidate, or withholding
ur suffrages from one whose political views.
T carried out, would lead to no such start.
ng results, and involve us in no such diff
AN ABOLITIONIST.
The editor of the New Orleans Bullet
4 is of the opinion that the recent feeds