Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-07-19
POLITICAL.
From the Hamilton Palladium.
ABOLITIONISTS OF MADISON
CoyJNTYi

COUNIH
Read the following able and truthful letter Of
Mr.. BuRcHARD; you all know him you have hon.
orcd him with marks Of your confidence, and he
was worthy of them. Now give his letter candid
perusal and weigh well the great truths he so for
chilly presents to your considerations
HAMrLToN June Goth, 1914.
MEssRs. EDIToRs Having, after mature refec-
tion arrived at the conclusion that it is my duty to
cast my vote for HENRY CLAY at the next Presi-
dental election, deem it due TO the friends with
whom have acted in the Liberty party, and who
have been pleased to honor me with public mark
of their confidence, frankly to state the reasons
which have brought me to this conclusion. 1t 10
unnecessary to premise that the contest lies who'll
IIy between Mr.. Clay and Mr.Polk. None are so SAGE
gune as to expect that Mr.. Birney will carry sim
ge stale, that he concentrate the pres
ent strength of the Liberty party. Henry Clay or
Jumes X. Polk will be next President of these u
nted States. This is morally certain
What then is the great issue to be decided by
the contest To my mind it is clearly and ndu-
bitobly tbs: Whether Texas as she u.s. with her
s'ocay and her debts, is to be Immediately annexed
to this Union, or not? In other words whether
slavery in this country is to be placed, humanity
speaking, hopelessy beyond the reach of anti-sla-
very efforts and forever or indefinitely pepetuated,
or to be left it is exposed to the opposing infu-
enccs which now actively and powerfully at
work in fastening its overthrow. | say, this TO my
mind is the great issue. There are other issues
which are in themselves important to the best i'll
terests of the country, viz Whether the Tariff or
Anh-TariH policy is TO prevail-whether we are
to have a sound and uniform, or an uncertain and
huctuating currency, &c.; but they all in my hum
BILE opinion sink into insgnifcance compared with
the Texas question.
That do not mistake or overrate the issue, am
convinced from serious consideration Of the de-
3 claed opinions of the opposing candidates. and the
special reason of MIR. Folks nomination. Mr.. Polk
has declared himself unenliyorailv and ,nro,oE-
ionaly for immediate annexation. lie is under
stood to have cordially approved Of the Tyler and
Calhoun Treaty, the disgrace Of our country and
1 the scorn of the world. No one who has consId-
cred the history Of the late proceedings of the
= Democratic nominating convention, can for mo-
ment doubt that its decision turned upon this very
l question OF immediate annexation. No candid man
of that party will deny this. The Southern DEM
ocrats made this tes' question. They were re-
solved to have no man who did not go for imme-
9 ate annexation. Mr.. Van Buren's adverse letter
D 1.-THE ablest and best document which ever came
u from his pen) sealed his doom.
o The Northern Democrats strangely yielded, and
yielded OIL this very ground. 1t is asserted, and
II not denied, that they held consultation to their
acquiescence in Folks nomination, and in view of
J. an anticipated popularity Of the annexation scheme.
II which might carry him in Notwithstanding the con-
8 temptble feebleness of his personal claims, they
sacrificed their veteran and cherished favorite upon
: the altar of Texas, war and perpetual slavery -
p Mr. Polk is the candidate emphdticdiiy Of the i'm
q mediate and unconditional anneXationists! and if
L. elected by the people of these United States he
Is would regard tire result endorsement of his
ayowed opinions on this subject and one of the
u. first acts Of his administration toould be deermin-
L ed Increment TO consana,ae this most netdrous scheme
y ,rhich troud inevitably inroire in a par tcith
y .ierico, and perhaps Nth Eng!anA, and place, as
Il hare atrend said The Institution Of Slavery IN po-
re stiOn to DEFY the Efforts Of its to oretroic il
u for generations TO come.
&c What now is the position of Henry Clay on this
he question? His noble and statesman-like letter
= leaves us in no doubt That letter however it may
H. have been received in the South regarded as en-
De trely satisfactory TO the North The strongest alb
lie olitionsts find fault with it. confess my
Id friends, when read that letter. so decided, clear
III able and satisfactory, breathing such spirit Of o
ty and dlsintcrested patriotism, generously and i'm.
~ partially regarding the best interests Of every
Id ton of our country, | must say considered it
ell mantle large enough to cover multitude Of sins.
Whatever faults belong to Henry Clay, oper
n hearted honesty has not been denied him by his
ID, bitterest enemies, who knew him or had any hon
al esty themselves do not therefore have any fear
a. Of Mr. Clay the Texas question. The noble
re sentiments of his letter will govern him in THU
matter and that villanous scheme of the advocate
oil of perpetual slavery and swinding spectators ant
land script owners, to hang around the neck o
this nation, the saveholding insovent, Botany ba,
OF the American Continent, can find no favor Will
he stands at the helm of this Government Here
in. then, repeat, is the issue before the American
m people 'Pok, Ierds, War and perpetual slare'y o
IN. Henri Ciay no Teas, no War, and Slavery lat tn
Ter worst) left as 1t is.
no However others may feel confess, as an homes
use abolitonist and sincere lover of my country.
So an ardent friend to the union of these States,
not hesitate as to my duty at the next election.
dare not, by any act of mine multiply the chance
am of Folks election, and the consequent catastroph
an of annexation and war. To throw my vote for NJ
eel Brney would, in my ccNd opinion, under exlstin
ow circumstances, be doing this; and feel nnwillin
to share in the responsibility OF such disastror
!, a result. This, then, is my position
as But Henry Clay is STAKEHOLDER, and how, 1t
up said can true abolitonlst consistently vote #
lly him | have well considered this objection, an
wo am convinced that it is not valid in the present
of tltude of political affairs. That Mr.. Clay hold
ION slaves is thing which sincerely lament II col
it stitutes strong personal objection to the man,
nil But do not vote Tor the man merely, when exc
a else nv elective franchise. look at the issue
the the great principles involved IN the contest,
the when as in the present case, believe that sluv
to holder will do anti-savey work, or rather that
tile will prevent the consuinmation ora great pro s
is very scheme, while his opponent is committed
be its determined prosecution, act in the strcte
l.. consistency with my ant-slavery principles IN gi
ing him my vote for t.al special reason. AS an a
olilionists, | feel bound 10 make every act OF n
dis life tell i'll opposition to the foul system OF Amel
llcn can slavery.
lind am no theorist, but plain man, accustomed
fer look at things in practical light. man Is n
ari to be held endorsing all the opinions ana prac
rye SEES Of man for whom he votes. lie must deci'
in view OF circumstances how he can 90 'host 80,
ne. by his vote. have tried to act upon the princpi
to do all the good and prevent all the eph c0u
,ian in this world, and shall continue to do so while
for live in it. This principle l am bound to carry
aid the polls as well as every where else II SLAYER
,od or anti Slavery to be the direct predominant
ont and absorbing issue in political contest the SUI
e at cess of one candidate being the overthrow ana
ow- the other, the consolidation of the system, then
tor deed it would be grossly ana sneheluiy ncohSi
10 tent for protested abolltionst for any reason,
vote for the pro-savery candidate. But when q
existence and non existence of slavery is not q
,out direct ISSUE but another question, which has mo
b ls lmnortanI bearing ulom inc pUs est-