The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-03-14

is now waging against Slavery, and Trut
against Error and Falsehood, no fears ar
entertained as TO the final result.
In order that the reader may fully under
stand the issue between John Conant, TIT
State Committee and myself, let US refer Il
the real question raised by Investigator ii
your paper of week before last-29th Feb
which | hope will be read in connection
with this. In that article it is very briefly
stated that the Wing State Committee o
Vermont had issued an Address calling or
the Wings Of the State TO assemble in lhei
respective towns for political organization
on the 22d Feb'y, the birthday of Wash
ington. The reasons given by the Com
mittee for selecting this day in preference
to all others were because they "measured
their political principles and aims by the
standard of Washington" and wished TO
"remember his virtuous example and love
of LIBERTY" The Committee also laid down
as an article of the Wing creed, that they
were in favor OF abolishng the odious
institution of domestic slavery BY every
constitutional means"
1t was also contended by me, in that
article, that inasmuch as the Wings, out of
pretended patriotism, had selected that par
.icular day for their meetings, claiming
identity of principle and sentiment with the
Father of his Country, that it was incum-
bent on them TO prove this identity, as well
as their opposition 10 the odous institution
of slavery, not only in their own practice,
but in the principles and practices of
Henry Clay, whom they were actively sup
porting as their leader and candidate for
the Presidency - and TO promote whose
election these meetings were called.
Now, if that party fail to do this, they
are self.convieted before the whole world,
of practising gross deception on the peo-
pie. They prcmulgate their creed & make
their claims, and having done this deliber-
aely, the burthen Of prof rests on them
to make good their affirmation. | join issue
with them and demand the proof. Nay,
more, challenge any committee or indi-
vidual member of the Wing party in the
whole Union 10 produce the Evidence of
their opposition to slavery, or their identity
with the principles Of George Washington
or Thomas Jefferson.
This, then, is the real and only question
at issue, and the challenge which ! made
Two weeks since, over the signature of
Investigator which now repeat. ], at
that time, without waiting for proof from
the other side, referred, as | supposed, in
fair and candid manner, to the published
sentiments of Geo. Washington and Henry
Clay to sustain the negative of the above
question. alluded to the declaration Of
Washington, that he would vote to over
throw slavery BY legislative authority and
to that Of Clay, that "neHher of the two
great parties had any designs or aims al
ABOLITION - and also that slavery was
by legislation"
In this state Of the case John Conant, |
once favorably known as an abollionist,
steps in and takes up the gauntlet in de-
Tense of the Wings, of slavery, and OF
slavery's champion, FL NRY CLAY! But
can we discover, in his article, single fact,
or even the glimmering OF an argument
having in the slightest degree bearing on
he question at issue? He discourses, it is
rue, very gravely about the 'sages Of '76'-
says he lived in the days of Washington;
and tells us what he saw in the days Of
he Revolution Now this may be all true,
out as he was, at that time, only about four
Years. Of age, he was not, apprehend, sufli-
GENTLY mature, unless remarkably preco.
cious, to obtain and form correct opinions
IF Washngton's sentiments on abstruse
political and moral questions IL his mind
or memory does not noao, it possibly might
hen, have failed him.
But if Mr.. Conant was so intimate with
he 'sa9es vi 10, " the sentiments OF w ash
ngton, why does he not give TO the world
some of those sentiments lending 10 show
lis identity of principles or measures with
he Wings of the present day? Is he not
able, with all his knowledge and research,
o find single word, single sentence or
of Washin9ton's that will an
'wer his purpose? If he, or the Stale
Committee, or Henry Clay himself, who,
a his letter of the 10th Feb. last, in an
swer to his political friends in Philadel.
phia, inviting him TO attend the Wing eel.
ebration of the birthday of Washington in
hat city, encourages them TO celebrate this
day and "his [Washington's] umadutter-
ated republican principles" as eminent
al, r. IL, -