Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1844-08-01
For he Rutland Herald

Mr.. EpIroR,-Being a citizen Of the l'orcI
States. as well as kingdom not Of I'm.
world, owe a duty to the former as well =,
to the latter. 1t is generally agreed that
ministers of the Gospel ought not to be yerv
forward 10 the political contests which an.
tate the nation. On this principle have
ever acted, and had nearly determined no, 10
cas-. vote in the approaching ptesitenin
election, because | have some objections ia
each of the candidates, who have any pros.
pect of success But more mature reflection
together with the developments of the prlncl
pies and purposes of the two candidates, has
altered that determination, and mpes me 10
assign the reason. Ii is objected TO Mr..
Clay, that he is a STAKEHOLDER and duehs,.
The formed cannot be denied the latter do
not now dispute. But il it is so, has the other
candidate tairer claims on the score Of mo.
ralityll | believe not. And as to their poll
teal careers, Mr.. Clay's has no grea, faults,
and his election will, III my judgment, tend
to promote the best interests OF the country.
The annexation of Texas, the great question
on which the two candidates are at variance,
ought to arouse every voter, every patriot,
every philanthropist. 1t becomes now
struggle between liberty and slavery. For
it is obvious that the opposing candidate wa,
selected for the express purpose OF securing
the annexation of Texa S, and The dnnerdiion
is sought princ'pdlly for the purpose Of PER-
petuating Slarery in the United States. And
to me it is evident that it would either faster
the curse on the nation for many years or
hasten the dissolution of the Union. To avert
these dreaded calamities, the election Of
Henry Clay is the most probable means in
our power. But here the conscientious are
met with an argument which will probably
influence the votes of many, and decide the
election. You have no right to do evil that
good may come" "Nor Of two evils TO
choose the least" The former position cam
not be contested {; nor the latter, if by two
evils, moral evils are intended. But here it
is assumed that the election Of Henry Clay
is moral evil-a sin against God. II the
country is likely to be injured by his elc, lion
il is sin but if it is The most direct means
of promoting the general prosperity OF the
nation, and Of aver,ing the dIeaded calamity
| Of perpetual slavery, it becomes a sin TO op-
pose his election, or to neglect any proper
means TO promote it, Yet there are pro-
fessed ministers Of the Gospel who have
turned political lecturers, and are sustained
by the contributions Of the pious and benevo-
lent. Their principal aim appears to be 10
promote the Third political party; and the il
main argumen nj the is one just examined and a
knock-down argument it is with them. You
are bound" say they, "to vote relgiously
to vote for STAKEHOLDER or a duellist is a
sin : or to vote with either of the two great
parties is sin. 1t matters not whether they
select moral and religious men for the lower
departments Of government, or whether they
be ,he most strenuous or talented opposers Of
slavery, it is a sin to vote for them, if the,
use their influence to elevate to the highest
office of the nation STAKEHOLDER and duel
Ist." Now, Mr. Editor, this appears to Inc
to be a great falacy. 1t is assumed that a
voter is guilty Of the sins and errors Of thu
men for whom he votes. If you vote for a
slaveholder You are guilty of the sin Of hold
ing slaves if for duelist, of duelng. |
this is good logic. why not carry it through
and say, if you vote for profane swearer
you are guilty Of profanity if for an infldel
you become an nfdel; if for a Unitarian
you become a Unitarian; il for Presbyte
rian, yon are a Presbyterian if for Baptist
YOU ale Baptist To be consistent, you
must on no account vote for a man who hs
faults or errors, and il you can find none who
in your judgment, is free from them, the
you must vote for yourself, or not vote at all
| wish, indeed, that greater care were takeI
to select for office men of strict morality
But we must take the world as it is and il
every relation which we sustain, do all tn
good which is in our power.
CTERICIrS