The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-07-17

. who have for years been in the habits Of the
closest political and social intimacy with him
speak of him as a patriot and as a man in the
most eulogisnc strains, cannot be made 10
believe by the exaggerated representations OF
bis political enemies, that he is so very cor
rupt. 1t does not stand to reason. 1t is a
moral Inconsistency W hich cannotbe believed.
These representations are all made for poiiti-
cal effect and not from any regard to the pub
lie morals. Mr.. Clay has never been intern
perate, am assured on the best authority
and in all his relations as a citizen, husband
and father, he is unexceptionable and exem-
plary. As master he is proyerbially kind and
injulgent.
Unless we act upon the principle that we
will vote for no man who is not a Christian,
it is not easy TO draw the line defining the ex
tent OF moral qualification which ought to
satisfy our conscience. 1t is clear, however,
the Christians duty to withhold his vote from
every man obviously wanting in moral integ-
rity, and voluntarily addicted to vice. To
put Mr.. Clay in this class, would, have no
doubt. be a foul SANDER. In the coming con-
test, however, the great issue which think
have fairly stated, sinks the respective candi
dates as individuals very much out of the way.
They are to be regarded rather As the expo
nents ofto widely different and adverse poll
cies. If one succeeds, we have to have
slaye-holdng nation whose inhabitants re-
belled from their rightful government, and
conquered a free country, and cursed its vir-
gin soil by planting upon it the foulest system
of oppression on which theesun ever shone,
yoked to the car of our destiny; by which
act we shall plunge into a bloody war, saddled
with a debt nf uncOunted miliions-the organ
&c law of our glorious constitution destroyed
the political relations between tn north and
south changed-the demon of slavery placed
upon throne high and lifted up" where he
can laugh to scorn our puny efforts to de-
throne him; and our country made Kissing
and bvword throughout the civilized world.
AMI al this to please the unblushing advo-
Gates of perpetual slavery, and set Of un-
principled and selfish spectators in Texas
land script The notion of the southern an
nexationists is open and avowed. 1t is TO ex-
tend and secure the peculiar institution"
The correspondence connected with the late |
Treaty negotiations shows this beyond con-
1radcion. This rieie Of the question cannot be |
B'mded.
If the other succeeds, then all the evils we
have enumerated will be averied. We shall |
have 10 Texas, no war, no change in the |
constitution, DO national disgrace, and the
peculiar institution in our country left as tits,
10 stand or fall upon the territory it has already
cursed and witiered and exhausted of life,
subject to the influences which are now sue
cesslully assailing it. What hater of slavery
what lover of his country can hesitate as to
the course of duty in this crisis!
Thus have perfectly set forth my views of
personal duty in the approaching canvass. I
felt it due to friends with whom have politi-
cally acted for some time past to be frank,
that they might understand and appreciate my
motives. | wish to act openly and honestly
n all that do, and refrain from everything
which | should feel ashamed to have proclaim
I'd from the house-tops. A great and fearful
,risis in my opinion, presses upon thisnation.
wish to change my duty in reference to it as
o preserve a conscience void Of offence TO-
wards God and man.
CHARLES BURCHARD.