Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-09-06

as righteous as was the cause of the |
Israelites in fleeing from their bondage in Egypt:
and why ought we not to persevere in doing right
in doing what we conscientousy believe is the
only course which is both morally right, and which
strikes at the root of the evil, and trust God for
the result? We know we have undertaken stu
penduous work. rendered difficult and of slow pro-
gress by the unwllngness of the people of the free
States, to know the ground they stand upon, and
learn the wiles of the slave power to undermine
their liberties, and want Of readiness to resist those
evils before they have done their work of destruc-
ton. But our cause is the cause of God and he
at some future period, | hope, not far off, will
crown it with success. Let US trust, with the
poet
'"The Lord can clear the darkest skies;
Can give US day for night;
Make drops Of sacred sorrow rise
To rivers of delight"
The Lord can open the eyes of the blind; even
of those so politically blind that they will read
nothing of those political truths which every free
man ought to know, because they do not find them
in the political papers of their own party. If all
the honest freeman of the free States would take
hold of the work with zeal proportioned to its
Importance to their own interests and the interests
of humanity and of their common country, and
learn how slavery has ruled and does rule us; how
it taxes us; how, from one pretext after another,
| it procures its own extension and increases its
strength to keep US in virtual h4xdage; and all this
with the shamefuly plant indulgence and seem
ing acquescence of the free States, not one of
them would vote either for Clay or Polk for pres
ident. They would as soon employ wolf to
guard their sheep, or debauchee to instruct and
guard their female friends.
But Mr. Burchard seems equally certain that
Mr.. Clay is opposed to the annexation of Texas;
and Mr.. Polk in favor of it. | feel equally certain
that both are in favor of it, with only one differ
ence. Mr.. Clay finds Cat presently one insupera-
able difficulty, and all center in this one. That is,
our relations with Mexico. So far as depends
upon him, aside from the other branches of gov
eminent, this difficulty could be removed in few
weeks. Let the right of Mexico be extngushed
by treaty, as was that ofFrance to louisiana (and
|
ions of dollars,) and Mr.. Clay's difficulties are all
removed. Mr. Polk meets with no difficulty, so
far as respects his own action. But whether eth
err of them can be supported in so doing depends
greatly upon the growth of the liberty party, and
the revival and extension of those principles Of
liberty and humanity, achieved by the revolution
of seventy-sx. Furthermore, Mr.. Burchard ant
those who read his letter, will do well to recoec
that Mr.. Clay's expose of his views of the annex
alton of Texas was made at the near approach o
the nominating convention, and necessarily made
as well to satisfy the north and the south as hi
conscience would admit. And we perceive hi
conscience was in happy frame for the work; fo
the wings of the north, and shareholders of thu
south are equally well satisfied with his views up
on that subject. Not so with Mr.. Polk. He hat
received the nomination merely because he was il
favor of immediate annexation. He must hav
progressed considerable near to assume any otbe
attitude at this crisis than his echo of the senti
ments of the convention by which he was nominal
ed. Circumstances rendered his course plain.
With regard to the modern habit of soliciting
the sentiments of candidates in reference to partc
u'ar principles or measures previous and prepare
tory to nomination for the presidency, let me as
you what man in the United States, of suticlen
talents to be thought of for president, but who
would readily see, in the present state OF parties
that the expression of his views would be fatal t.
his prospects of nomination, unless he CAREFUL
stunned the rock of the slave power Of the south
and the whirlpool of all manner of political view
and pretensons on the north This Mr.. CIa
well understood when he wrote his letter.
But Mr.. Burchard derives encouragement in hi
course from the belief that Mr.. Clay is opposed t
slavery Where did he derive this belief? thin
have at some time read communication trOr
y, Mr. Clay, in which he said, that, in a convention
many years ago, to amend the Constitution c
Kentucky, he declared himself in favor of a secto
calculated to abolish slavery; but he was vote
70 down in the measure, and he acquiesced in tn
decision like good citizen. Every thing else thu
! has ever coihe within my observaton-his man
. speeches on the subject-his zeal and success
extending the slave power, and his owning fifty G