Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-10-04
ADDRESS OF LIBERTY MEN.

The Ann Arbor (Mich.) Journal contains the fol-
lowing address by twenty-four Abolitionsts OF the
county of Washtenaw. All the signers are re-
spectacle citizens Mr.. Edmunds has been at diff.
lerent periods the Abolition candidate for Senator
and Representative, and Mr. Barker for Supervisor
of his town.
The undersigned, members Of the Liberty mar
ty in the State of Michigan lsome of us having
given it our hearty corporation aud support since
its first organization have been SO strongly con-
vinced Of the fearful sin Of slavery and deeply
impressed with its evil influence upon our institute
tons, that we have sundered old political ties and
connected ourselves with party whose object has
been and is the overthrow Of slavery in our coun-
try. Political organization if not the only. was in
our Judgment the most efficient means, of reach
ing the evil which we wished to remove.
But a new question connected with slavery now
presents ITSELF The Annexation Of Texas to this
Union is strongly urged, VIC fear, by a majority
Of the people Of the slave holding States, and Is
warmly advocated by one Of the political parties
of the North.
Formerly our contest was with "Slavery as il
is !" now we are compelled to encounter the new
issue, of the extension of Slavery By the Annexa-
ton of new Slave domain to our already wide.
spread Territory. As Abolitionis;s, DESTROYS of
the eventual destruction of the Slave system with.
in orr present national limits, we feel equally de-
tcrmined to prevent its extension BY the acuusi.
ton of additional Slave Territory. The che is as
much our dty the other, and if to secure one of
these objects, we are compelled temporarily TO
abandon the vigorous prosecution of the other, We
do not perceive how we expose ourselves to the
charge of inconsistency, or why are not strictly
in the line Of our duty.
The immediate overthrow of Slavery in the Dis
trict of Columbia, in the Territories of the United
States, or in the Slave States of the Union by the
direct action influence of the Liberty party it is
idle to expect. But 1t may be in the power OF our
party by giving proper direction to our votes, to
prevent the annexation Of Texas, and the sanction
Of this government from being extended to Texas
Slavery. To do this, however, we must make the
sacrifice Of voting for Presidential candidate who
is himself Stakeholder. We must cast our sufl,-
RACES for Henry Clay, relying as we implicitly do
on his long tried character for integrity for the full
lilment Of his pledge, if elected President of the
United States that he will not on this question an
tcipate the will Of the people, nor give his sane
ton to any scheme connecting the political desti-
MES Of the two countries, that shall not have re-
ceivcd the general approval Of the nation.
Influenced by the same feelings of hostility to
the extension of slavery by the annexation of Tex
as, we might maintain our present relations to the
Liberty party, and cast our votes for Mr.. Brney.
But could we do so with the probable results?
Would it not be casting our bread on too uncer-
tain waters? Might it not be the means Of cecting
Nj. Polk, and securing the accomplishment of the
very object by the Slave interest which the Liberty
party wish TO prevent? Dare we run such a haz-
card? Dare we pursue such line of action in this
great crisis, as to render ourselves liable hereafter
to the bitter reflection, in the event of Mr. Folks
election, the Annexation of Texas, and the protec-
ton of this government being extended to Texas
Slavery, that we could but for the pride of the par
ty ,COmd not prevent this result. If we caH prevent
such consummation and do not, who among US
can shield himself from the reproaches of his vio-
lated conscience?
If Mr. Clay shall be elected to the Presidency
the cause Of Slavery, which it is great object
to exterminate from our own land, and from the
world, will not under his administration be extend
ed to foreign country, upheld by the power, and
sanctioned by the authority of this nation. Enter
tanning such convictions, and feeling confident that
! the election Of Mr.. Polk would be hailed as the
grand decision Of the nation, in favor Of the imme.
date annexation of Texas, and the consequent eX-
tension of the dominion Of slavery under the fos-
terng care and protection of our own government,
we do not hesitate to ayow TO the world our inten-
ton Of voting for Henry Clay, for the next Presi-
dent of the United States.
Robert Edmunds, Jacob B. Sumner, Peter Turn
er, Eli ii. Swan Edgar Webb, Saline George J..
Barker, Cornelius T. Lyon, w. II. Palmer, Will
liam Dorr, Trowbridge Surdam, Thomas S. Ingra-
ham, B. r. Root, J. a. Barker, Manchester; ANA
sa Gillett John L. Row, Henry Row, Gilbert Row,
J. p. Gillett, Sharon; Jared Hatch, Jonas Twitci-
ell, Amos C. Bisbee, VIM. A. Davis Tully c. P.
Fean, SuLliUGn Russell Palmer, Lima.