Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-08-02
From the Hamilton Palladium.
Mr.. BURCHARD'S LETTER,

"
Read the following able and truthful letter
of Mr.. BuRcnARD you all know him you
have honorcd him with marks of your conf
dencc, and he was worthy of them. Now
give his letter candid pcrusal, and weigh
well the great truths he SO forcibly presents
TO your consideration:
iAMiLroS. June 26ih, 1914.
MEssRs. EplToRs Having, after mature reflection,
arrived nj the conclusion that II is my duty to cast
my vote t,r HENRY CLAY at the next Presidential
election, deem it due to the friends with whom
have acted in the Liberty party, and who have been
pleased to honor with public mark Of Their
fidcnce, frankly to state the reasons which have
brought me this conclusion. 1t is unnecessary TO
premise that the contest lies wholly between MI Clay
and Mr. Polk None are So sangune as TO expect
that Mr. Brney will carry single state or even that
he concentrate the present strength o! the Liberty
party. Henry Clay or James X. Polk will be next
President Of these United States. This is morally
certain.
What then is the great issue to be decided by the
contest TO my mind it is clearly and individually
this: Whether Texas she is with her siarery and
her debts is TO be Immediately annexed to this Union,
or not! In other words whether slavery this coun.
try to be placed, humanity speaking hopec. sy be.
yond the reach Of slavery efforts, and forever
indefinitely perpcuned, or To be felt ns II is, exposed
to the opposing Influences which actively
say. tins To my mln is the great issue. There arc
other issues which in themselves important the
best interests Of the country, viz. Whether the Tariff
Anli-Tarf policy is to preval-wheher we ale to
have SCUM | and uniform, uncei tain and fuc-
tuating currency, &c. but they all in my humble
opinion sink into lnslgnitcancc compared with the
Texas question.
That do not mistake or ovcrrate the ISSUE am
convinced from serious consideration of the declared
opinions Of the opposing candidates and the special
reason Of Mr. Folks nomination. Mr. Polk has de-
clared himself uncqnvocaly and uncondaionahy for
immediate annexation. Tie is understood to have
cordially approved of the ycr and Calhoun Treaty,
the disgrace of our country, and the scorn of the
world. No who has considered the history Of
the late proceedings Of the Democratic nominating
convention, for moment doubt that its decision
turned upon this rery question of immediate annexa
ton. No candid man of that party will deny this
The southern Democrats made this a test question:
They were resolved to have no man who did not 90
for immediate annexation. Mr. Van Burens adverse
letter Che abcs and best document which ever came
from his penn sealed his doom.
The Northern Democrats strangely yielded, and
yielded IN this very ground Ii is asserted and not
denied, tina, they held consultation TO their acqni-
essence in Folks nominal on, and in view of an anc
pa'ed popularity Of the annexation scheme, which
might carry hun ill., Notwithstanding the contemplate
fcebencss Of his personal caims they sacrificed their
and cherished favorc upon the altar of Texas
and perpetual slavery MIR Polk is the candidate
emphaicahy of The inmed1ie and unconditional an
nexatlonlss! and if elected by the people of these
United States, he would regard the result ms an en-
dorsemcnt Of his avowed opinions this subject and
one ofHe first acts othiS administration rouid be a
deiermined increment 10 conSummuie mis- mast nefa-
rous scheme, riic trouM inerit1Jiy iurolrc us in
,rdr ,riM Marco and perhaps irih England and
place, as IN ire already said The Institution of Stare
ry I'M position TO dirty he cfortS fits enemies to
orer.hroir it 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 however it NAV have been
received in the South regarded as entirely sa,isfac
nhnlI ftnntets nar,
find no fault with II. confess nv friends, when
read that letter. decided, clear able and sa,isfacio
ry, breathing such spirit Of lofty and dlsin,eresie |
PATRIOTISM generously and lmparilally regarding the
best interests OF every section of our country mus,
say considered it mantle large enough 10 cover
multitude Of sins.
Whatever faults belong TO Henry Clay, open heart.
ed honesty has not been denel him BY his bi,eres,
enemies who knew him or had any honesty them.
selves do not therefore have any fears of Mr. Clay
on the Texas question. The noble sentiments of his
let er will govern him IN this matter, and that villain
scheme Of the advocates of perpetual slavery. and
swndlng spectators and land script owners to hang
around the ne of this nation the slayehoding insol-
vent, Botany bay of the American Continent can
Government Here then, repeat, is the ISSUE before
the American people; Polk, Teras, Var and per-
petuni siarery or Henry Clay, n, Tenas, no War
and siarery lat the wors) left as 1t is.
However others may feel, I confess, ms an homes
ahoIonlsi. and sincere lover of nv country, and
nm ardent friend TO the union Of these States cannot
hesitate rs to my duty at the next election. dare
not by any act of mine, multiply the chances Folks
election aud the consequent catastrophe of annexa-
ton and war To throw my vote for Mr. Birney
would in nv candid opinion, under existing circum
stances. be dong tils and feel unwilling 10 share
IN the responsibility Of such disastrous result. This
then, ~ my posi- ION.
Rut Henry Clay is a stakeholder, and how, it is
,nid can true aboIiionst cons silently vote for him
Ihnve well considered this uhiection and convn-
ced that il is not valid in the present attitude of pol-
ical ahirs That Mr. Clay holds slaves is thing
which | sincerely lament. IT constitutes a strong
rsonal objection the Blu, do not vo,efor the
man merely, when i exercise my elective franchise
look -. the issue-at the great principles involved in
the contest, and whcn as in the presen, case be-
lieye that stakeholder will do anti slavery work or
rather that he will prevent the contamination of a
prent pro slavery scheme while his opponent is com
mitted to its determined prosecution, act in the
stricest consistency with my anti slavery principles
in giving him my for That special reason As an
sbo,i,ionist feel bound to make every Of nv III,
tell in opposition to the foul system of American Sia
very
/ am no thcorist, but plain man, accustomed Ia
look at things in practical light man is TO b,
held as endorsing all the opinions and practices of 4
man far whom he votes. lie must decide in view o.
circumstances how he can do most good by his vote
have tried 10 &C, upon the principle 10 do all m,
good, and prevent all the erH could m this worl
and shall continue In do while live in il. This
Qn bound to carry 10 the polls ss well q,