The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-04-15

The following letter from CAssICs W. CLAY,
communicated to the New York Tribune, requires 10
comment. Il addresses Itself to the common
Of every fair and candid man with convincing force.
The well known character The writer for phiidn
throry, and emphatic anti slavesy yicws-views, the
sincerity OF which have been tested no common
degree by Ills noble emancipation Of his slaves,
a. an immense personal sacrifice, add to lis letter
weight ard potency that attach TO few other TnlicaI
letters. Mr. c. W. Clay IS 4 nlucsal.e, but he
ieye not a relative OF IiESHY Cray. The saiisfac-
tory, frank, and manly which he assigns, for
p cferriug llr Clay Van Buren n candidate for
the Presidency and bis reasons ur voting for the for
mer however much he may regret t!lat lie IS slave
holder, and why that slug objection, however potent
it may be- is enough Of Itself TO Outweigh his other
noble characteristics deserve the serious consideration
of every anti-slaycry voter in the Union.
We give the letter wti the comments Of the rnb-
bane
The following letter from Cas-ius H. Clay TO one
Of the many who have written hn for expression
of his views respecting the Presidency has been trans
United " Cor publication. We 1ss all opponents Of
slavery TO give that consideration which! he char
acter, ability, and well known emphatic anti slavery
sentiment Of the writer cutn it. lie has just given
lion by cniaacipaing al ks sIares--thus divcs
ing himself Of legally entrencIed Flights Of Property
worth some $40, 900. Let the man who las done
more, ristcd more, sacrificed more, Cor EmHnciFa-
ton than Cassius W. Clay condemn the deci,iou
nouuccd in the following noble declaration
LEx1H Gro,', Ky. March 20, is4t
w. j. McK1HNEx, Esq. .5Igyor Of Dayton, Ohio.
Dear Sir-Your letter of February 18th last,
in due time received, and have waited thus IorI
with the intention of answering it at al; Lecnuse,
as I nm private citizen, not seeking office at the
hands fho people, il might seem to place me in ths
presumptuous attitude Of ping 10 Influence, by
mere weight Of opinion, the votes ofmy cnuntrymen
in their choice Of IresdeEt when neither my age,
experience, nor fame, warranted the assumPtion.-
But SINCE the reception Of yoar letter. have received
many Of similar import, from Liberty and Anti
Slavery Wings in most Of the Northern sales pres
sing upon me an expression Of opinion, in snch
ner that should prove fiise thar spirit Of candor
which proudly cherish characteristic Of the pFiu
cples which advocate, did ], through any atsecta-
ton Of hCmity, remain longer silent. You ask ne,
s'NViIl yuu r YOU live ard able 10 vote at the
approaching Presidential election, vote for Henry
CLAW for President? re the Third Putty, Liberty
men should lnve an Electoral Ticket in youI State,
yvouId YOU vote thai ticket in preference; Were
YOU citizen Of Ohio, which of these tickets would
you vote:' The last two questions such
would require various other suppositions be made,
before could give suitable answer Justice my.
seifa all the parties concerned, which wouid be
too voIumiuous(or the space on single letter; and,
for all practical purposes, they will be sufficiently
swered in my reply to the first question: that II IS
my most decided determination, 'to role for Henry
Clay for President Men never have and never
WILL in all cases, thini< alike; a.! Government 10 ne
cessariy sacrifice, 10 seine extent, of individual
will; that is the best Government to each individual
which fosters allows tho most Of what tlIat iudivid
nal belieyes be conducive to his best interests The
question then is not, sean find sortie to vote