Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-08-02
A NOBLE LETTER.

We have been politely furnished by MIR
Burchard with the following excellent letter
from gentleman in Pennsylvania. 1t was
called out on seeing notice of Mr.. BIS let
ter The writer received a wrong impress
sion from the Tribune notice, that MIR. Il.
81 had abandoned the abolition party;' he
does not deem il an abandonment of that
party to vote for Henry Clay, bu, the true
way of carrying out the Liberty principles.
KESSErr SouARE, Chester Co.. Pa.
July 9TH, l6i4.
Dear Sr-I sec it stated in the New York Tribune,
that Charles Burchnrd of Hamilton, Madison Co..
has abandoned the abolition party and come gu, heart
lily for CIay.' What "abolItion party" you may
have abandoned, know not, but in my humble opn-
on to vote for Henry Clay, under pescnl crcumslan
ces is no abandonment Of the abolition
! suppose You find yourself placed in predicanent
similar TO my own. | have for many years past re-
garded s!avety as question of more momentous I'M
port than any of the party projects of The day, and
had therefore, ceased to act with either OF the pro sla
very parties But a issue has been formed. to
which the Wings and Democrats have been gradual
ly verging for several years past, viz: the Union,
more properly, whether the Mexican empire shall be
rent asun!er and portion OF lis territory seized by
obber hands, and dragged into the Union, for the sole
purpose OF iorylng, perpcuallng and extending the
slave power. For one, my humble eiinrts have been
directed against this plralical scheme for ten years
and shall now ground arms and remain neutral, be-
cause Henry Clay and the Wing party are disposed
TO sst met No, no; cannot crafty the Southern
STAKEHOLDER much.
But am told that this same Henry Clay is slave
holder himself and therefore | am sacrificing my
principles TO vote for him. although he will serve my
long cherished purpose that of keeping Texas out of
the Union. This is species of logic which is entire
ly below my comprehension. Suppose there was n
gradual emancipation party among The shareholders
of the South, and Henry Clay one OF such par
", and he nominated for The Presidency, upon
the ground that he could be very efficient in promo
ling their grand ohject-the gradual though final and
complete emancipation Of every slave in the Union
would il be violation Of principle consistency, for
in favor of immediate abolition, choose between
him and one like James X. Polk, nominated for the
sole purpose of sustaining and perpeualing slavery
Who will say yes to this question? Our worthy
friend, Gcrrt Smith-that truly great and good man
would, without the least hesitation, answer no.
Well them If an abolluonst may under such cir.
cumstances, vote for stakeholder, 10 put dozen sia-
rery he with equal consistency vote for a
stakeholder 10 prerent The extension of slavery But
the annexation Of Texas involves not only its extern
SION, but lis very existence IN the present slave hold
ing States. Such is the declared opinion of many of
| the most sngacons men Of the South and in my
| Judgment, they correct Viewing the matter IN
this light what better can DO than 10 vote for Hen
ry Clay?
But my only design on taking up my pen, was to
request you TO do me the favor OF sending a pape
containing your reasons for your present course. Nj,
desire to see them is increased by the fact that an
a native of Madison county, and am personally &c
quainred with some of The good people Of the village
of Hamilton, who were the loved companions of my
boyhood years. Resnec'inllv yours
SUMNER STEBBlNS.
| Charles Burcl,nrd Esq.