Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1844-07-19

friend to lhe union Of these States, |
cannol hesitate Os 10 my duty al the next
election. dare not By any oct OF nine,
4 muItiply The chances OF Potk's election
and the consequent catastrophe Of an..
nexaIon and war. To throw my vote
for Mr.. Birney would, in my candid
opinion, under existing circumstances,
be doing this; and | leel unwilling to
share IN The responsibility OF such dis
aslTous result. This, then, is my posi-
ton.
But Henry Clay is a stakeholder, and
how, il is said, can true aboitonlsl
consistently vote for hrm2 ! have we'll
considered Ibis objection, end am con-
vinced hat II is not valid IN the present
attitude Of political attars. That Mr.
Clay holds slaves is a thing which sim
cerely lament. II constitutes a strong
personal obi ctioD to Ibe man. But |
do not vote lor The mon merely, when J
exercise my elective franchise. | look
al the issue -- at the great principles Ia
voIved N the contest, and when, as IN
tho prasen, case, believe that a slave
holder will do anti sIuVery work, or ra
ther, that he will prevent the consum-
nation OF great pro-savery schame,
while his opponent is committed 10 It's
determined prosecution, act in the
s'flctest consistency with my anti
slavery prinnipIts in giving him my vote
| for Mdt Sptciai reason Az an abolition
ist, feel bound 10 make every act Of
my life tell 10 opposition to the foul sys'
tenn Of Amercao slavery.
am no lheorlst, but plain man, a0-
customed to ook at things 10 Prac'-
cal light. A man is not 10 be held as
endorsing all the opinions aud practices
OF man for whom he votes, He must
decide IN view Of circumstances how he
can do most good by his vote have
tried to oct upon the principle. 10 do all
The rood and prevent all the eDH cou d
10 this world, and shall conlinue to do 50
while live in 1t This principle | am
| uONbu w IuIl y W wv pOtl7 nv "Tl' a.
every where else. It Slavery or anti.
S avery was to be the direct. predomi-
nant, end ebsorbing Issue in q political
contest, the success Of one candidate
being the overthrow, and the other
the consolidation Of the systt ~, then
indeed it wo0id be grossly end bsme
fully inconsistent for proieseed ab
oIiliunist, Tor any reason, to vote tor
the pro slavery candidate But when
tho existence Hnd non existence of sla
very is not the dlrec! issue, but another
question, which has most lmpcr ant
bearing upon the prospective destiny OF
this Institution 10 our country, M6H he
constant ahoilionst must make his SO
lection in view of the real issue, and con
tribute to the success Of that candidate
who will make Inc most favorable dis
position Of the great question.
do 10 more endorse or in the least
counteuance Mr.. CIuy'5 sIOvehoidUg
when | vote for The reasons above stat
cd, than should endorse or cOuorenanco
Mr. Bprnoy's or Mr. Smnh's sentiments
and practices on he suhjccl oI religion,
by voting Tor them because they are ab
oItionisrs But am not aciDg out the
reprUbaled doctrine OF choosing the iCaSt
Of two evils, aud not on the safe pTn>
ciple Of choosing neither? | think not
| choose a pJS.tioG good n this case; and
more, choose The gt0dtest possible
good within my reach ! DO what in
mo lies, to avert very great aud thTea'
tenlng evil, in the only way ia which
my effort can bo effective. II we should
wall until we found candidate entirely
unexceplIonablo in every respect, be-
fore casting our vote Tor him. through
fear OF endorsing what is wrong, il would
bo exceedingly rare in this imperfect
state that We should feel 1t our duty 10
90 10 the polls at all. We should vlrIu-
ally dislrRDchioe ourselves,
But Mr.. CLAY. STAKEHOLDER as no ia
has given abundant evidence through q
long lie, by many public declarations
aud acts, that no is at least no friend 10
slavery, and would lako earnestly hold
oil any scheme which he should see to
be practicable and peoceabIe Ior its re
moval. am not without hope Of
vet seeing him before he dice, an ardent
advocate of universal emancipation.
ain aware he is opposed to tho present
a1ohtloa mosomenls, and lam sorry for
! it; out he is honestly opposed TO US, aod
think when ho comGs better to under
stand tho viOws and purposes Of the groOj
body OF qnli slavery men at tho north,
no will think better Of US, aud sympa-
,hiso in our feelings aud doings agaIns'
slavery.
Bptitis asked again, how can Chris
| tidR vote lor man so morally corrupt
as Henry CIay2 | put bot Illle conf
dsnce 10 the representations OF man s
character by exosperaled political OPP