Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1844-07-25

cence in Folks nomination, and 10 view
of an anticipated popularity of the annex
alton scheme, which might carry him in
Notwithstanding the contemplate feeble
ness Of his personal claims, they sacrificed
their veteran and cherished favorite upo,
the altar of Texas, war and perpetual
slavery! Mr. Polk. is the candidate en-.
phatically Of the immediate and uncondi.
tional annexationists and If elected by
the people of these United States, he would
regard the result as an endorsement Of his
avowed opinions on this subject, and one
| of the first acts of his administration acould
be determined movement to consummate
this most ne arious scheme, which ,0ould
ineritably inrolue as in par ,ciih Merico,
and perhaps r,th England, and place. as
1 hare already SAID, the Institution of
Slavery in a position to defy The Efforts Of
its enemies to orerthroao it for gears 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 may have been
received in the south, is regarded as en-
tirely satisfactory 10 the North. The
strongest abolitionists can find no fault
with it. confess, my friends, when l
read that letter, so decided, clear. able
and satisfactory, breathing such spirit
of lofty and disinterested patriotism, gen
erously and impartially regarding the best
interests of every section Of our country,
| must say considered it mantle large
enough to cover a multitude of SINS.
Whatever faults belong TO Henry Clay.
open hearted honesty has not been denied
him by his bitterest enemies, who knew
him or had any honesty themselves. |
do not therefore have any fears of Mr..
Clay on the Texas question. The noble
sentiments of his letter will govern him in
this matter, and that villainous scheme of
the advocates of perpetual slavery, and
swindliug SPECTATORS and land script own
ers, 10 hang around the neck of this ma
ton, the slave holding, insolvent. Botany
bay of the American continent, can find
no favor while he stands at the head of
this Government. Here. then, repeat,
is the issue before the American people:
Polk. Teas, War and perpetual Slavery,
or. Henry Clay, no Ieras no acar, and
slarery, lat the WORST left as it is.
However others may feel, confess. as
! an honest abolitionist, and sincere lover
of nv country, and an ardent friend TO the
Union Of these states, | canhot hesitate as
to my duty at the next election. | dare
not, by any act of mine, multiply the
chances OF Folks election, and the con-
sequent catastrophe of annexation and
war. To throw my vote for MIR. Birney
would, in my candid opinion, under ex-
listing circumstances, be doing this; and |
| feel unwilling to share in iho responsible
ty of such disastrous result. This, then
is my position.
But Henry Clay is slave holder, and
how, il is said, can true abolitionist con.
sistently vote for him? / have well co.,
sidered this objection, and am convinced
that it is not valid in the present attitude
of political affairs. That Mr.. Clay holds
slaves is thing which sincerely la
ment. 1t constitutes strong personal
objection to the man. But do not vote
for the man merely, when exercise the
elective franchise, look at the issue; at
the great principles involved in the con-
test. and when. as in the present case,
believe that a STAKEHOLDER will do anti
slavery work, or, rather, that ne will pre-
vent The consummation of great pro-sla.
very scheme, while his opponent is com.
mitted to its determined prosecution act
in the strictest consistency with my anti
slavery principles, in giving him my vote,
for that special reason. As an abolition
list, L feel bound 10 make every act Of my
life tell in opposition to the foul system
of American slavery.
l am no theorisr, but plain man, ac-
customed to look at things in practical
light. A man is not 10 be held as endors-
ing all the opinions and practises of a man
for whom he votes. He must decide in |
view of circumstances how he can do
most good by his vote. j have tried 10 |
act on the principleto do all the good, and !
prevent all the evil / could in this world.
and shall continue to do. SO while 1 live
in it. This principle lam bound TO car
ry to the polls as well as everywhere else.
If slavery or anti-slavery was the direct,
predominant, and absorbing issue in po-
Iitical contest, the success of one candi
date being the overthrow, ADD of the other
the consolidation of the system, then, IN
deed il would be grossly and shametuly
inconsistent for professed aboltionist Cor
any reason 10 vote for the pro-slavery cam
didate. Butwh The existence and nom
existence of slavery is not the direct IS
sue, but another question, which has
most important bearing upon the pros
pectIve destiny Of this institution in our
country. then the consistent abolitionist