Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-11-01


does tile commission Of either Of these sins, so
affect man, that he will not administer the
government wisely and from a sense OF his ac-
countahility to God. This sense of accounia-
biy does exist in those that are not christians
many of the patriots Of the revolution were
such-manv Of our judges and rulers, whose
reputation for a sound mind and wise legisla-
thu were deserved, have been of this charac-
ter. The great question with me is TO find
The man who will, with the most discretion,
ability and impartialiiy, perform the duties Of
his office; who will The most certainly carry
out those principles which regard as essential
the public good. choose my man simply
for this object. inquire not whether he is my
relative or OF my party, but does he possess
those qualifications that can with the most
salty and certainty enlrust the interests of my
country To his handsi
There may he spots 10 his character-hc
may npi be christian am sorry Cor t--be
NAV be a stakeholder or praycrless mani
wish be were MT He would undoubtedly
make better ruler had he all these quafca-
lions, but on the whole ! view him, every thing
considered, best fitted To secure, in his legisla-
ton, the best interests Of my country. And
think, in this rcspect, act on The principles of
the Bible. As an illustration, Tod told Elisha
10 go and Ennoni Jrhu TO be king over Israel.
And who was Jehui He was an itlolater and
departed mol from all The sins Of Jeroboam.-
Suppuse Elisha, knowing the character Of Je-
hu, should have demurred, and said, j cannot
be Instrumental in eecting such man 10 Office
because his character is bad;' would he have
done righls The truth is, Jehu possessed just
those qualifications which best fitted him 10
promote the purposes OF God, viz: 20 destroy
The house of Ahab and the prophets Of Baal
And yet, was he before his election, aud after,
a great sinner. Had been called 10 vote in
that matter, should have felt bound to vote
L. IL. IN NJ.
qured III But docs God require that which is
wrongs does he act on principles in clecting
rulers, in direct opposition To his own preccpts!
surely not. If, then, il was right in God 10
elect a man to be ruler over his people, who
! (ihough great sinner would the best labor TO
promote his will, is il not right in me 10 give
my vote for man who (though great sinuer)
] believe will the best carry out the principles
OF legislation for the good of my country!-
And more that this, regard the crisis OF my
country 20 have come, the interests involved ia
the pending election are OF surprising magni-
tude ] look with no lille solicitude 10 The can
didates in nomination. inquire, with which
one can with the most safety commit these
precious interests! One Of the nominees
learn, from his own declarainn TO be the I'M
qualified friend and energetic supporter of
measure that | fully believe (if atiained) will
bring ruin upon the country, and perpeiua To
an indefinite period the horrd institution of
slavery. ! fully believe, If Mr. Polk he elected,
that Texas win he annexed 10 the u. States,
and this evil, involving interests greater than
all others, will come upon US.
The other candidates ! regard as committed
against the measure, and so far as talents and
soundess Of mind are concerned, both fitted for
the station. But the contest in The election is
between Mr. Polk and Mr. Clay--one Of these
will undoubtedly be elected. There is no prob
ability Of Mr. Birney's success. Now cannot
vote for MIR Polk, even were he christian, be-
cause he has pledged himself and was nominal
ted for the purpose of carrying into effect
measure, that believe would be destructive TO
the best interests Of my country. To cast my
vote for Mr. Birney would be as though gave
il for Mr. Polk, as it might and would diminish
or defeat Mr. CLAWS majority.
Can | vote for Mr. Clayi look at his char
acter and find he has one Of The scIptural quail
i6caiions. He is "a wise man, and understands
ing and known among the people, Has he
any other qualification He has pledged him
self to oppose measures that regard as prcg.
nant only with evil, ard TO favor those promo
live Of the public good. But will he carry out,
faithfully, impauiay, and wisely, the great
principles OF the Constitution, so that the great
interests Of the people will be promoied3
know moi that Mr. Clay's integrity as ruler
and his disposition TO be faithful in the trusts
\ committed TO HIM, has been seriously question:
eminent, under a sense Of his accountability To
Godi Mr. Cay's father was a christian min
isier; he has pIoiessed firm belief in the truth
of christianity, and those who have known him
intimately for twenty years, say that his con-
duct has accorded with such belief. But Mr.
4 C. is STAKEHOLDER. Does that dslranchise
him! Was not Washington stakeholder, and
did he not die Shareholder and was not
Washington patriot and q christian? and was
il not wise and jnst in the people TO elect him
10 the chief nagistracy! Do You say that
n Washington was mt enlightened in respect To
the evils Of slavery This think cannot be
said. And may not man now be a slave
holder and still be patriot and good ruler? !
believe he may be.
Bat, Mr. Clay is duesl' Mr. Clay has
been durIst and | very much regret it'll
offer no apology for such sin; yet he has new
er killed a person in a duel. And when read
what Mr. C. wrote To his constituents at home,
and uttered in the Senate; Of his strong abhor-
renee of dueIing, and know how strenuously
he labored 10 prevent duel between Messrs.
Cilley and Graves, and how recently he has de-
clared, in public, that he can conceive ONO pos
sible circumstances 10 induce him TO accept a
challenge, | think may regard him as opposed
TO the practice, and one that will exert his
influence TO suppress L..
Ir vote for Mr. Clay it will be because |
believe that he will oppose measure utterly
fuinous 10 our country, and legisaie so as to
promote the best interests of the people.
. wish moi to hide the bleniishes in his character,
but they are not such, in my view, as 10 dis
qualify him for the Office even of President Of
/ the United States. That is, 10 rule in the fear
Of God and fer the best good of the country.
Such are ny views; have expressed them
q ~ = ~ Il II sl.-