Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-07-26
From the Hamilton Palladium.
ABOLITIONISTS OF MADISON &C

VI A"' Du'chdIuj you all know him; you have
hohored him with marks of your confidence,
and he was worthy of them. Now give his
letter candid perusal, and weigh well the
great truths he so forcibly presents to your
consideration:
HAMILTON, June Goth 1914
.nesSrs. ors:-lHavng, after mature re.
hection, arrived at the conclusion that il is my
duty 10 cast my vote for Henry Clay at the
next Presidential election, deem il due To- the
friends with whom have acted in the Liberty
lparty, and who have been pleased To honor me
with public mark Of their confidence frank
Ily TO state the reasons which have brought me
TO this conclusion. II is unnecessary to pre-
mise that the contest lies wholly between Mr.
Clay and Mr. Polk. None are so sanpuine as
to expect that Mr. Brney will carry a single
State. or even that he can concentrate the pres
ent strength of the Liberty party. Heh,v
Clay or James X. Polk will he the next Presi-
dent of the U. Safes. THIS is morally certain.
What then is the great issue To be decided
! by the contest? To my mind il is clearly and
individually this: Whether Texas as she is,
with her slarery and her debts, is To be imme-
medidteiy ANNEXED to this Union or not In
other words, whether slavery is TO be placed
humanely speaking, hopelcssly beyond the
reach OF anti-slavery efforts, and forever, or in
definitely perpetuated, or to be left as il is
exposed 10 the opposing influences which are
now so actively and powerfully at work in hast
ening its overthrow. say, this To my mind,
| is the great issue. There are other issues
which are in themselves important TO the best
interests of the country, viz: Whether the
tariff or anti-tariH policy is to prevail-wheth-
er we are to have a sound and uniform, or an
| uncertain and huctuatng currency, &c; but
they all in my humble opinion sink into inSig-
nificance compared with the Texas question.
That do not mistake or overrate the issue,
! am convinced from serious consideration Of
the declared opinions of the opposing candi-
dates and the special reason of Mr. Folks nom
ination. Mr. Polk has declared himself une-
quivocaly and Internationally for immediate
annexation. He is understood 10 have cordial
~ approved of the Tyler and Calhoun Treaty,
| the disgrace Of our country and the scorn of
the world. No ore who has considered the
history of the late proceedings of the Demo-
cratic nominating convention, can for a mo-
ment doubt shat IFS decision turned upon this
very question of immediate annexation. No
candid man Of their party will deny this. The
Southern Democrats made this test question.
| They were resolved to have no man who did
not go FOR immedate annexation. Mr. Van Blu
ren's adverse letter (the abest and best docu-
ment which ever came from his pen) sealed his
doom.
The Northern Democrats strangely Yielded,
and yielded on this very ground. 1t is assert
ed, and not denied, that they held conSuta-
ton a. to their ncnni"srence in Pnlk's nnrnina-
lion, and In view of an anticipated popularity
of the annexation scheme, which might carry
him IN, notwithstanding the contemplate fee
beness of his personal claims, they sacrificed
their veteran and cherished iavori.e upon the
altar Of Texas, war and perpetual slaveryl-
MIR Polk is the candidate, emphaticaliy, Of the
immediate and unconditional aunexationistsl
and oil, Cd h.rs ha go
States, he would regard the result as an en-
dorsement of his avowed opinions on this sub
lject and one of the first acts of hls admins
traton would be determined movement to
consummate this most neiarious scheme, which
would inevitably involve us in a war with
Mexico, aud perhaps with England, and place,
as have already said, this Institution Of Sla-
very in position 10 defy the efforts of its enc
mics to overthrow il for generations TO come.
What now is the position of Henry Clay on
this question? His noble and statesman like
letter leaves us in no doubt. That letter how
ever il may have been received at the South,
is regarded as entirely satisfactory to The North.
The strongest abolitionsts can find no fault
with il. | confess, my friends, when read
This letter, so decided, clear, able and salsIac-
tory, breathing such spirit of lofty and disn-
terested patriotism, generously and impartially
regarding the best interests of every section of
Oui county, tIuSt odl CullSlttItu III u man
tie large enough to cover multitude OF sins.
Whatever faults belong TO Henry CLAY, open
hearted honesty has not been denied him bv his
btterest enemies, who knew him or had any
honesty themselves. | do not therefore have
any lears of Mr. Clay on the Texas question.
The noble sentiments of his letter will govern
him in this matter, and that viIlanous scheme
OF the advocates orperpetual slavery, and swim
ding spectators and land script owners, TO
az, g a.. IL
holding, insolvent, Botany bay of the Amer-
can Continent can find no favor while he stands
at the helm OF this Government. Here, then,
] repeat is the issue before the American peo-
pie POLK, TEXAS, Var and Perpetual Sla-
gerry, or Henry Clay, no Texas, no Wdr, and
Slavery (at the woTst) left as il is.
However others may feel, confess, as an
honest abolitonst, and a sincere lover of nv
country, and an ardent friend to the union of
these States, cannot hesitate as to nv duty al
the next election. lire not, Nv an act of
mine, multiply the chances of Polk's election,
and the consequent catastrophe of annexation
and war. To throw my vote for Mr. Brney
would, in my candid opinion, under existing
circumstances, be doing this; and eel unw-
ling to share in the responsibility of such ads
astrous result. This, then, is my position.
But Henry Clay is a stakeholder, and how,
il is said, can true abolitionist consistently
Vote lot MN! nave wen considered inns on
lection, and am convinced that il is not valid
| in the present attitude of political affairs
That Mr. Clay holds slaves is thing which
sincerely lament. 1t constitutes strong per-
sonal objection to the man. But do not vote
for the man merely, when exercise my cleo
tive iranchse. look 1.-The issue-at the great
principles involved in the contest, and when,
as in the present case, | believe that slave
holder will do anti-savery work, or rather, that
he will prevent the consummation of great
pro-slavery scheme, while his opponent is COM
mitted to its determined prosecution, | act in
the strctest consistency with my anti-slavery
nrincinles in giving him NV vnie for Lhnf sne-