The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-11-06
ADDRESS
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE
LIBERTY PARTY

The undersigned, members of the Liberty
Party in the city of Albany, believing it to be
their imperative duty, have resolved to ad
dress their brethren, and explain the reasons
which induced them to support HENRY CLAY
at the coming election. We still claim the
appellation Of Liberty men, as our principles
remain unchanged; TO be tout and out"
Liberty men, such as our countrymen would
designate /" fanatics" We still have the same
hatred Of the institution of American Slavery,
or any other that reduces man to the level of
a brute and makes him chattel, and we in
tend to cherish it. We respect, love and de-
light to honor James G. Birney for his noble,
self-sacrifcing and fearless advocacy of the
glorious principles which adorn the Declare
ton of Independence, and we are fully per-
suaded that Congress has the constitutional
power to abolish Slavery in the District of
Columbia, and the Internal slave trade; there
fore we are resolved, upon all occasions when
opportunity presents, TO use our political i'll
huence to advance so desirable consumma-
ton. We have watched with intense inter-
est the recent movements Of the two great po-
litical parties, and believing that fearful
crisis has arrived, which is TO decide whether
slavery is to be perpetuated and extended by
the annexation of Texas, and by augmenting
the slave power in the United States, by which
it will be enabled by constitutional majority,
to maintain slavery in the National Capitol,
and the internal slave trade, the very fountain
g. life Of the Ubiquitous system, evenif the liberty
party succeed in carrying the Free States,
thereby destroying the future usefulness OF
the Liberty Party-not only this, but it is TO
decide whether this happy and prosperous ma
ton shall be plunged into the untold horrors
of a war, and very probably upon the future
existence of our Republican Institutions.
These are no idle fancies, but stern reali-
tiles; we all Witnessed at the last session Of
Congress, vigorous effort made by John
Tyler and his coadjutors, encouraged by Gen.
Jackson and James X. Polk, and sustained
by James Buchanan and fourteen other SEN
a,,;s.- to involve the United States ina war
with Mexico; anu :. was only thwared by
the integrity and patriotism ola Wing Senate,
acting in concert with Henry Clay. These
are facts; subjects Of moment, and demand
the consideration and prompt action of every
freeman, without distinction Of party, indie
pendent of personal regard for the character
of men, whom we respect or disrespect; and
we, the People are to decide them. If we,
as Liberty men, hold the balance of power,
las it is thought by some we do,) upon US
rests the responsibility of the decision. All
are familiar with the arguments used TO evade
the issue. Their sophistry savors much or
the mode adopted by ''Virginia Aboliiionists,"
and are incompatible to the understanding of
plain, practicable men. The Liberty men
have for years predicted that it was for the in
terest Of the South to increase and extend
b,,t he A Of TaxaC tbo,~
papers have warned us, that when this was
accomplished it would destroy our freedom,
md Numbered their anaihemas, both long and
loud. against the scheme. Now, when these
predictions are being fulfilled, they have in
great measure, ceased their opposition, and
seem TO view the matter quite complacently,
apparently little concerned about the strug-
gle or result, but busily engaged in increas-
ing the vote for Mr.. Birney few thousands,
as If it were OF most importance.
Rnt it is contended that there is no differ
ence il, the doctrines of the two great polti-
cal parties upon the subject of Annexation !;
and some 90 - far as to say that neither par
tv is in favor of that measure. II either of
these statements were true, it would give a
different aspect as to what would be our du-
tv. II seems 10 us hat the position of the
parties is indistinctIy d, 'fned. Mr.. Van Blu
rem was defeated at the Ba. 'tmore Convention,
because he was opposed to 4nnerdt'on' ana
James X. Polk was nominateL because ne
was IN favor Of Immediate Annea, fiton; ana
that Convention passed resolution to tnat ell
feet. which has recently been endorse by
the Loco FocO State Convention at Syracu e.
General Jackson, the idol of his party, adyo
Gates it. Indeed, it is the watchword of the
party from Maine to Louisiana. To use the
words of the Liberty paper in this city, "Polk
goes for Annexation, trdr or no ,rdr, .SLareru or
no Sldrery, honor or dishOnor." Mr.. Claws
position is this: personally he has no obiec-
ton to annexation, if it can be obtained Nth
out dishonor and ,rithout icar." But opposes
it for the following reasons:-
LIST. Because sit comprises our national
honor"
I'd. Because sit involves us in an unjust
war, in which the sympathies Of Christendom
would be against u.s."
Sd. Because .'it would be done witbout
consent"
4th. Because abe conceives no motive to |
be more dangerous to the peace and perma-
nancy of the Union, than the acquisition of |
Texas for the purpose ofextending our terri
tory and Strengthening the Southern portion
of our confederacy."
5th. Itwould burden the United States with
a large and unascertained debt. Either of
these are good and sufficient reasons TO salts
y us, if Mr.. Clay is elected, he will not rec
ommend annexation" The entire Wing
party is unanimous in their hostility to the
scheme, and the Wing press is mole denun-
,iatory Of the measure than the Liberty press.
We have noticed'with regret that the Liberty
press is almost silentupon the subject, and in
some instances have advocated the doctrine
Of Free Trade, and manifest an overbearing
arrogance towards members Of their own par.