The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-04-18


on the subject. during Washinglon's ad
ministration but who ever heard thai
Congress refused to receive those petitions
or spurned their prayer2 Yet profess.
ed Wing, as well as Democratic Con
gress have unbushingly done il in these
modern days, hundreds and perhaps thou
sands Of times.
You endeavor to make a comparison
between Washington and Clay on the sub.
ject Of slavery, bat fail to finish that CON-
parlson by carrying out the parallel to the
end. Let me assist you by comparing tie
last acts and published sentiments of Geo.
Washington on this subject with those of
Heny Clay. Washington, while presi-
dent, addressed Congress in these words :
1--WE ought 10 be persuaded that the
propillous smiles OF Heaven can never be
expected on a nation that disregardS The
ETERNAL RULES OF RIGHT and order
which Heaven itself has ordained"
Among his last acts was the emancipa'
tion OF his slaves; and some of his latest
sentiments you will find in my first article
in the Voice of The Goth OF February
Among these he declares he will VOTE
10 ABOLISH SLAVERY by Legislative au.
lhority.'
Henry Clay's last published sentiments
may be seen in his pro.savery speech in
the Senate in 1889, already quoted from
in my previous numbers, and his declared
sentiments against emanci patton on y a.
bout IS months ago at Richmond, India
ma. His acts may be Seen in his votes Oh
the Missouri questIon-by his opposing,
within 4 few years, the project OF holding
convention in Kentucky to revise their
Constitution so as to abolish slavery--by
his votes against abolition petitions by
his direct and unqualified REFUSAL, in
the fall of 1912, 10 iberate his sLaOeS and
last, though not least his REFUSAL TO
COMMIT HIMSELF against the annexation
OF Texas. Now look at the contrast. Not
IA single act, or word, or published opn-
ion can be found from Washington or JET
terson in taoOr of slavery during any Pc
Rod of their lves-yet Henry Clay with
the advantages Of all The light and knowl-
edge of the present enlightened age IS con-
linually talking aud acting IN taror Of this
diaboical Institution. The great change
in public opinion throug hout all Europe
and America, on this subject, for the last
twelve years, makes no impression on
him. He is Shareholder still" Com
ment would be superauous.
But sir, layiag aside the acts or opin.
ions Of men who lived century ago, why
have you not met me on the maiu ques.
ton! Is Henry Clay or the party sup
porting him opposed to slavery! Your
whole proof on this point lies in the COM
pass OF IA nut she'll You say when 20
years Of age he was in favor of gradual
emancipation by revision of the Const
tuition Of Kentucky, You also sate-and
lest | do you injustice will quote your
very words.
IL have always believed with Henry
Clay, that IN no other way can the evil
be done away but by gradual emanclpa-
ton that is. by State after State acting on
the same principles as did New York. |
am full i'll the belief that American Stare
ry, or in other words, DiStract-ot C0lum.
bta. SIarery, Gall Other slavery IN our land,
except i'll the Territory of Florida, is Stale
slavery,) ought immediately 10 cease by
an act OF Congress. And | would not
knowingly support member of Congress
who would not immediately give his vote
for lis destruction, nor for Pres ldent who I
would pledge himse! BEFOREHAND 10 veto
such q biA"
Thus we see that you not on y openly
proclaim yourself coloniza,onlst but
something worse as we shall find pres
emily. The question naturally arises,
what has become Of your former OPPOSE
tion to colonization, when, as a member,
and part Of the time, as an officer of The
VLAnt;sIavery Society from 1885 TO l84l,
YOU was leagued in deadly hostility to that
scheme2 That society in 1889 while
you was one OF its Vice Presidents,
Resolved, That we are as much as ev.
er convinced of the great sin Of African
Colonization, which was founded on no