davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-10
LET NO ONE VOTE THE LIBERTY
TICKET WHO BELIEVES.

That it is right to deprive human beings of per-
sonal ownership, and to buy and sell, hold and
treat them as property.
Who believes that it is conducive to the welfare
and prosperity of the country that one fourth part
of the population should despise labor, and as far
as practicable avoid it, and burden the industry of
the aborng classes for their support.
Who believes that half the property of the south
ern States should be represented in the Federal
Governments while not tarthing of the property
of the Northern States is allowed to be thus repre-
sented.
Who believes that the interests off the Free States
are secure while the slave power yields and con-
trolls the Federal Government
Who believes that government policy, the lea
ding feature of which is to strengthen and perpet-
uate the institution of slavery, is q wise and safe
policy.
Who believes that men, pledged to support the in
stutIon and Subserve the interests of slavery, are
the safest and tittest men to be entrusted with the
management of public affairs,
Who believes that, while the number of slaves Is
increasing at the rate of 70 900 in year, some in
definite future time will be more favorable for at
tempting and eflecting its removal than the pres
ent.
Who belives that the Anti-Savery enterprise is
one which seeks the removal of single evil an G.
vii of comparatively small importance, merely
local evil, or that those who are laboring for its re-
moyal cannot haze more than one idea-.Ameri-
can Freeman
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-10

can liberty, laments its existence, and deprecates
the extension of this dangerous element in our land,
why does he not even alude to it in his late letter
in weighing the considerations which influence
him in deciding upon the annexation question:
He speaks of getting involved in war with Mex
leo, of the debt of Texas &C., &c., but raises no
note of remonstrance against the vile system of
Texian slavery, which is even more inhuman than
that of our own country, possible. He applauds
the constitution of Texas being an improve
ment upon that of the United States, but entirely
overlooks the damnng fact that it not only estab-
fishes slavery, but prohibits the emancipation of
any SLAVE, aolhout The consent Of the Legislature is
first obtained! Now in this case Mr. Clay cannot
use the sereotyped arguments of the compact and
the pHghted taith of The nation Here the naked
question of slavery stands upon its own merits
We are at perfect liberty to choose or refuse it,
and yet, Henry Clay raises no objection to taking
this viper to bosom, to swell the already bloa-
ted and over-grown slave power of our own coun-
try and thus enable it to do nomlnay, what it has
long done virtualIy-wield the controlling political
power of the nation
The al-absorbing OBJ lection in the minds of nor
them freemen to the annexation of Texas, is, that
it will give fresh life and vigor to the accursed sys-
ten of American slavery This is a permanent
consideration; but the objections of Mr.. Clay are
such as may be (and it is understood at the South
where he has of late been preparing the way fol-
his letter, that they will beg speedily removed SC
that Mr.. Clay, if elected, may prove the champion
Of annexation, for the sake of strengthening the
slave power! 1t would be in perfect conformity
with his former public course on the subject o
slavery. Win freemen think of these thngs?-
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-10
James G. BirneY.

The following brief notice of our candidate for
the Presidency is extracted from the Pennsylvania
Freeman. Is he not true Man-worthy of Free
mems suffrages? Compare him with either of his
opponents, and what Christian voter can hesitate
between Clay, Van Buren, and Brney.
When we first heard of James G. Birney, he
lived in Alabama; was STAKEHOLDER, and a Vice
President and agent Of the Colonization society.
The ant-slayery enterprise was then pretty much
in its germ and the small handful of men that pro-
claimed their faith in it was almost universally
despised and prosecuted. To avow anti-slavery
sentiments then, even in the north, required NOR
al courage more than most men can lay claim to-
james G. Birney, away in the far south, became
convinced of ant-savery doctrines, and avowed
his convictions. He emancipated his slaves; he
repudiatcd colonization; he forfeited his reputa-
tion lost caste with his friends; gave up his prac-
tce at the bar; stood up in the midst of savehold-
ers to oppose their system; established an anti
slavery press in Kentucky, and delivered public
lectures in that State; and when no longer able
with safety or to publish his paper in Ken
lucky, he moved to Cincinnati. There, with bold
ness and great ability he continued his labors as
editor. He encountered mob after mob in that
city and other parts of the State where he went
as lecturer, and came out of all a more determin-
ed abolltioniot than before. During his residence
in Cincinnati he underwent a prosecution for har-
boring female slave, which, under the circum-
stances, and in the then state of public sent-
ment, was one of the most humliating ordeals that
high minded man could be called to pass through,
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-10
Hon. J. Vernal's Letter.

We extract the following from private letter
of Hon. John VernaI of Swanton. 1t is no small
comfort to be engaged in work, on which we can
look with satisfaction in the hour of sickness, and
in view of meeting our final Judge.
April 90, 1914.
Mr.. AspENwALL:-l sent you a dollar some
time since to pay for your valuable paper, and
now enclose another dollar and if it pays for
me, send the balance to Mr.. Vansandt, to assist
him in his distress.
am quite unweI-hardly able to sit up, and
have been so for year past. l cannot do as
as much in the good cause as wish to. Your pa
per is the best antidote can find formy complaint
1t cheers me up in my low state of mind, especial
ly when Father Baey's name in it.
You would do well to send man into this coun-
ty to lecture, and obtain subscribers for the Free
man. If l am well enough, | will go with hin
over this town, and if am not, think others will
wish to see the precious cause go ahead.
Give my respects to Messrs St. Clair and Briggs
and tell them that the good cause is onward il
this town.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-10
Choosing E wills,

Whenever you talk candidly with Wing about
the slaveholding, duelling, gambling, and otherno
toriousy vicious practices of Henry Clay, he re-
plies" condemn these things as much as you
do. Mr.. Clay is not my first choice, by any means;
but the election Ses between him and Van Buren,,
and of the 'two evils choose the least" This
is the almost universal argument. Scarcely an in
tegent, respectable man--especially in Vermont
can be found to defend the principles and prac-
tees of Henry Clay. They take him as a choice
of eUlts. This being the case, we might suppose
that the Wings of Vermont, by their delegates, at
the Baltimore Convention, would have had self
respect enough to express their real preference
But how was it? When Benjamin Watkins Leigh
proclaimed in that convention that the people had
already nominated Henry Clay, and called upon
all who freely, spontaneously and heartily respon-
ded to that nomination to rise up, there stood up
those delegates, and declared that Henry Clay pas
first in the hearts Of the Wings of Vermont! We
had supposed they would, from considerations of
policy, if nothing more, express a preference for
some other individual-as they did in 1889 for an
other than the successful canddate-and finally
give in, like true PATRIOTS for the sake of those
'other great interesis:' but we have every reason
to believe that om wing friends were as Jealous
and hearty in paying their devotions at the shrine
of Henry Clay, as were the greediest bloodhounds
of the South Let it be remembered, therefore,
that Henry Clay-the stakeholder, the duellis, the
gambler; under $4,000 bonds to keep the peace; a
man who, if he lived in our State, would be sent
to states prison. and be forever incapable of hold
ing even the office ofhogreeUe or of uoting to elect
any one else TO that affects proclaimed by the
Wings of Vermont as their choice for the office of
President of the United States!!
The lesson we would draw from this course of
the Wings, is, that it is dangerous allowing our
selves to tamper with evils. The same course of
reasoning that jusufes us in small evil to-day,
will bring Us to a much greater ones tomorrow;
and every successive indulgence weakens and de-
stroys our moral perception, and greatly lessons
our power Of resistance, until we find nuselvee
freely and unhesitatngly choosing those great NOR
al evils, the bare mention of which would at first
have led us to excaim, "What is thy servant q
dog, that he should do this thing?" Our only safe
rule is to avoid even the appearance ofevil-J. P
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-10
Henry Claws AnnOlavery,

1t is often claimed by the friends of Mr.. Clay,
that he is at heart opposed to slavery and that in
the event of his election to the Presidency, such an
enlightened, liberal policy would characterize his
administration as would enable the free States to
bring their constitutional powers to bear upon and
destroy the system of slavery. Some even aver
that he is only awaiting the decision of the ques-
Mr. Clay himself declared in his great speech in
SO that every pulsaton Of his heart beat in favor
of liberty although in the same speech he avows
himself opposed to emancipation, either immediate
or prospective! But if Mr. Clay really considers
human slavery all evil, and as friend to Aner-
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-10
Methodist General conference,

The General Conference of the Methodist E.
Church assembled in the city of New York, on the
list day of May, and was called to order by Bish-
OPP Soule. Thomas B. Sergeant of the Balti-
more Conference was elected secretary and ].
Houghtaling and Mr.. Kenney, of Pittsburgh, as
sistant secretaries. During the first session pro-
vision was made for eleven committees, including
one on Temperance, the Bible Cause, Tracts
Sabbath Schools, &c but none on Slavery. We
shall endeavor to give an early and somewhat full
account of the dongs of this body, at least so fal
as the "excitng subject" is concerned
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-10
The Texan Treaty.

The editor of the New York Evening Post has
received and published the Texian Treaty, with
the most material of the accompanying documents.
The treaty contains nine articles. Article cedes
the entire territory, public property and sovereign
ty of Texa to the United States.
Article Incorporates the citizens of Texas as
citizens of the United States guarantees their lib
erty and property, and pledges their admission as
" soon as consistent with the principles of the fed
era Constitution, to the enjoyment of all the priv
ieges and immunities of citizens of the United
States"
Art. recognizes all land titles that are valid by
the laws of Texas. Art al places the public lands
of Texas the same footing with public lands in
the territories.
Art. 5.-The United States assume and agree to
pay the public debt and liabilities of Texas, how
ever created, for which the faith or credit of her
government may be bound at the time of the ex-
change of the notifications of this treaty; which,
in the whole ten millions of dollars TO be ascer-
tanned and paid in the manner hereinafter stated.
The public lands of Texas are pledged tor the
payment Of these ten millions.
Art g. provides for commission to ascertain
the amount of the public debt Art. 7, for the con-
tnuance of all subordinate officers, until other
wise provided by Congress. Art 8 prescribes the
mode of transfer, and Art. makes it necessary
that the ratification be exchanged within six
months.
The correspondence bears marks of extreme
carelessness, and proves the hopeless bankruptcy
ofTexas. For instance, the estimate of the pub
lie debt of Texas is based on a report in 194l-no
later report having been made What govern
ment.
The first overture by Mr.. Upshur is dated Au-
gust 4th, and is based upon a letter from London,
giving an account of Andrews mission, and the
rumoured assent of Lord Aberdeen to his propO-
sails. The following letter shows that concern
for slavery is the sole motive of the whole transac-
ton
movement of this sort cannot be contemplated
by US in silence. Such an attempt upon any
neighbouring country would necessarily be view
cd by this government with very deep concern;
but when it was made upon a nation whose terri
tories join the slaveholding States of our Union,
it awakens still more solemn interest. 1t cannot
be permitted to succeed without the most strenu-
Gus efforts on our part to arrest calamity so Sc
rlous to every part of our country.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-10

Will the Liberty men attend to the celebration
of this day in all parts of the state where it prac-
ticable' Secure the advantages afforded by the
occasion to carry forward your principles in the
midst of opposition. Procure the services of a
freeman as orator on the occasion. Let freedom
be preached on that day. No matter ifthere should
be no firing of cannon, or waving of iustian flags,
or bands of music, or gormandizing of roast beef
and turkes Very little patriotism or intelligence
in all these. But good, manly, stirring, Liberty
GRAFTON, with a cold lunch for dinner, and some
good spruce beer for the toasts, will do we'll for the
abolitionists. Such fare would be far better than
our constituents enjoy. Letthe Declaration of In
dependence be read, the song of Liberty be sung,
and the cause of the slave advocated on every 4th
of July, till the canking of chains shall be heard
no more throughout all the land, B. H.F.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-10

%" Mr.. Cay's and Mr.. Van Buren's letters
have both been received, and last week we gave
the concluding remarks of the first, and this week
Christian Citizen. The Citizen speaks of Mr..
Van Buren'S as the most frank, and able; but from
the general character of the man, we should by
no means expect this.
As we have been prevented from reading either
of them through, by iii health, we are consequently
not prepared to Judge of their merits, but may
probably present more extended extracts from them
next week lfthey were not SO very long we
would gladly publish them both.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-10
Mr., Clay and the Tariff.

We have repeatedly referred to the expressed
views of the leading men Of the Wings and Dem
ocratic parties, and shown by their own statements,
that there was no essential difference between them
on the tariff. and consequently the great verbal
controversy on this subject is a contest without an
adequate objcct-a battle which will leave the mat
ter Just where it was before. The following ex-
tract from speech Of Mr. Clay, Jan. 81, 1912, on
the Treasury note bill, in reply to Mr.. Woodbury.,
was made the theme Of lengthy debate on re-
cent occasion in Congress:
But whence this newborn zeal (said Mr.. CO.
in regard to taxation. 1t was, he admitted, scan
dalous that this government should have gone on
for years past, and was going on now, by the ex-
penditure of more than was received. Taxation
he knew, and had before said, was the remedy for
'this Carry out, then, said he, the spirit Of the
compromise act. Look to revenue alone for sup
port of Government. DO not raise The question
'of protection, aohich (sad the Senator from Ken
'tucky) l had hoped had been put TO rest. There
SIS no necessity ofprOtectIon.
When Mr.. Clay was in Charleston, few days
since, in a speech in the theatre, he gave an expo
sition of his views on the tariff, and on the com
promise act. He declared that he had ever been in
favor of the protective policy to certain extent.
He had been active in efecting the compromise of
1888, and he had never countenanced its violation
in the slightest PARTICULAR and he had resisted eve
ry effort in Congress to violate it.
" II was important to understand the true char
acter of that compromise. 1t provided for a
gradual reduction of duties down to twenty per
cent, at given time, and after that, for the rails
ing of a sufficient revenue, by the duties on i'm
ports exclusively, as was necessary for an econom-
icaI administration Of the government" Mr.. c.
denied that the principle Of the compromise re-
quired the maximum duty to be fixed at twenty
per cent: its true principle that no more reUe-
nue. should be raised than ecas necessary for an
honest and economical administration Of the gov-
eminent, and eoilhin that limit there might be dis
elimination in favor of domestic industry"
Now we would ask how this doctrine differs
from that laid down by Messrs. Van Buren,, Cass,
Bucanan, SC. Ifthere be none, then the contro-
versy between Wings and Democrat is confessed
ly on the imaginary pont.-SignaI of Liberty.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-10
For the Green Mountain Freeman

QUERIES. Is not every voter in the free
States who refuses to vote for the repeal of the
laws by which slaves are held, political slave
holder, although the individual owners may re-
side in the District of Columbia or in Florida ]?
And is not this kind of savehodng sinful: How
then shall the action of the church be brought to
bear against this SIM Who shall pay the minis
ter, the power of whose pulpit does not bear a.
gainst this sin? Can the minister's anti-slavery
duty all be done on Fast and Thanksgiving days?
ANsoN BYINGToN.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-10
Legal Advertising, &c.

EEP We shall be very grateful to such of our friends
Administrators, Executors, Commissioners Guard
ans &C.. &c-and all who have the privilege of dica-
ting where legal, and other advertising, shall be done il
they will select the Freeman their medium. Our cir
uary from Lamoile and Orleans countless where
is published, do confidently hope to receive the
bulk of such advertsing-as circulation in those
counties is greater than that Of any other paper-n the
former more than twice as large. all
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-10
DUTY OF LIBERTY MEN

~ L VI LtBER MEN.-Ihe great I'M
portance of rejecting all alliances with any party,
involving to the slightest extent compromise of
principle, for the attainment of temporary or
local object, cannot be too strongly impressed up
on the attention of liberty men. Suppose, Gin the
language of late address to the friends of liberty
in Ohio,) one portion of our ranks, for temporary
or local gain, yields its support to candidate of
one of the pro slavery partics--whot follows?-
/" Loss of confidence, mutual disrust in our or
ganization; diminished influence from reduced
numerical force, abridgmcnt of public respect for
our principles; we appear in the light of truckers
to expediency; our opponents are emboldened,
we'll assured that, by hollow concessions they may
arrest our growth and break down our influence.
And what, after all, is the gain? A liberal dem
onstration in one place will be neutralized by a
fresh exhibition of servility in another The anti
slavery candidates presented to catch votes will be
required to support pro slavery or slaveholding
chief; so that every vote given to such candidate
goes to build up the bulwarks of despotism by
strengthening the parties which minister to its
Will.-Damcrican freeman.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-10
VAN BUREN, AND ABOLITION-Tn Ie

VAN buren, AND ABOLITION.-Tn let
ter to the democratic central committee of Ken
lucky dated April 81, 1910, Mr.. Van Buren, says:
"These truths are demonstrated in the results
of the abors of the abotionists in the United
States, which have hitherto been productive of
nothing but evil, new restraints upon the colored
race, ve1aton to the owner and distraction to the
councils of the nation. In reference then, to such
practices as those to which you. have called my at
tenton, can, as public man, find the path of
duty only in one directon-that of undisguiSed
opposition"
Whatever non-committal there may be about
Mr.. Van Buren, on other subjects, he is frank on
this; and we not but the above settles the whole
matter so far as he is concerned. Surely no abo
tionist can vote for him consistently or for the
party that will support him; and we respect the
frankness the democrats in generally admittino
the fact however wicked their principles With
such candidate, it would be sheer duplicity for
any party to claim anti slavery character or oh
jects.-Liderty Standard.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-10

BTaVe6 MIdSET9'S woan n"rT1A few days since
was boosting how happy and well treated bor VIC
inns were. They would never leave her on INV
nccount-would not be free ifthey could, TbrsSs
oay' gter, letters came to Phadelphia to her rel,
atves to set the police on the watch for these sr,
s s1 who were theyl A middle aged woman,
ner daughter and fine boy of eight years Of age
no me,r 'oeontentmenp was manifested by walking
weather! Our contemplate slave.bunting co "S
s'aoles, as usual, were willing to take the fee, but
not fond of riskng their precious skulls and shius
NO matter Their prey has escaped them.-Pha
Elevator
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-10

70 1t should he remembered that as slavery is
the direct opposite and antagonist Of every prlncl-
pie of free government, STAKEHOLDER in practice
or in principle is the most unfit man to hold office
under such government, that can be found A
STAKEHOLDER is as unfit to rule free Christian
people, as pagan is to be ordained to the office
Of the christian ministry, or drunkard and deb
auchee to be the advocates of temperance and the
guardians of the public morals. Here is vastly
important, yet simple, self-evdent truth Keep it
before the people. 1t is truth which, if it could
have full power, and could act upon the minds and
hearts of the people, it would revoutonse the po-
litica affairs of the country. Slavery and Liberty
have been the cOntending clements in our country.
Slavery has entered into, and controlled and cor
rupted our government Why? Because nearly
two-thirds of our public officers have been slave
holders, when in fact they have been as unfit for
the offices, as sprigs of foreign nobility and APP
pendages to royalty, would be. STAKEHOLDER
should be disquali6edby our constitution from ho-
oing office, for as good a reason as that tpper
should be disqualified from holding office in tenn
perance society. Ifsuch had been the case, what
now would slavery be- A thing that had been,
but is not!-West. Citizen.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-10
FOR VICE PRESIDENT,
THOMAS NORRIS,
ofOhio.

" rejoice, that the abolition Of slavery throughout the
civilized world is longer rrObematical seems to be
almost universally conceded that this stupendous fraud
upon portion of the human race is fast drawing to
close and the great question with us is truly, what meas
are hest suited to accomplish this desirable end in
the United States.
stPotica action is necessary to produce
moral reformation in a nation and that action with us
only be efecually exercised through the ballot box
And surely the ballot box be used for more
noble purpose than restore and secure to every man
his inalenable rights ''-Ihomas Morris.