Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-11-01
ADDRESS TO THE MEMBERS OF
THE LIBERTY PARTY.


have induced them TO support HENRY CLAY al
the coming election. We still claim the appel
| laiion Of Liberty men, ns our principles remain
unchanged; to be 'out and onp Liberty men,
such as The majority of 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 a chattel, and we intend
10 cherish il. We respect, love and delight 10
honor James G.. Brney for his noble, self-sac-
rificing and fearless advocacy of the glorious
principles which adorn the Declaration of In
dependence, and we are fully persuaded that
Congress has the constitutional power 10 abol-
ish Slavery in the district Of Columbia, and the
internal slave trade; therefore we are resolved,
upon all occasions when opportunity presenis,
TO use our political influence to advance so de-
sirabe a consummalion. We have watched
with intense interest the recent movements of
the two great political parties, and believing
that fearful crisis has arrived, which is TO de-
eide whether slavery shall be peIpetuated and
extended by the annexation Of Texas, and by
augmenting the slave power in the u. States,
by which il will be enabled, by a constitution
al majority, TO maintain slavery in the National
Capital, and the internal slave trade, the very
fountain and life Of the Ubiquitous system, even
If the Liberty Party succeed in carrying the
Free States, thereby efIectually destroying the
future usefulness of the Liberty Party-not on
~ this, but il is TO decide whether this happy
and prosperous nation shall be plunged into the
untold horrors of war, and very probably up
on the future existence of our Republican In
stitutions.
These are no idle fancies, but stern realities;
we all witnessed, at the last session of Con-
gress, vigorous effort made by John Tyler
and his coadiutors, encouraged BY Gen. Jack
son and James K. Polk, and sustained by James
Buchanan and fourteen other Senators, TO in
volve the United States in a war with Mexico;
and it was only thwarted by the integrity and
patriotism Of 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 dis
tnction of party, independent Of personal re-
gard for the character of men, whom we re-
spect or disrespect; and we, the People, are TO
decide them. If we, as Liberty men, hold the
balance of power, Gas It is thought by some we
do,) upon US rests the responsibility Of the de-
cislon. All are familiar with the arguments
used TO evade the issue. Their sophistry sa-
vors much Of the mode adopted by Virginia
Abstractonsts,' and are Incompatible TO the
understanding Of plain, practical men. The
Liberty men have for years predicted thnt il
was for the interest of the South to increase
and extend Slavery by the annexation of Tex
.,
this was accomplished il would destroy our
freedom, and Numbered their anathemas, both
long and loud, against the scheme. Now,
when these predictions are being fulfilled, they
have: in great measure, ceased their opposi-
ton, and seem 10 view the matter quite COM
placenily, apparently little concerned about the
struggle or result, bat busily engaged in in
creasing the vote Of Mr. Birney few thou
sands, as il il were of most importance.
But il is commended that there is no difference
in the doctrines of the great political parties
upon the subject Of Annexaiion; and some go
so far as TO say that neither party Is in fnvor of
that measure. lf either Of these statements
were true, it would give different aspect as
10 what would be our duty. 1t seems 10 us
that the position Of the parties is distinctly de-
fined. Mr. Van Buren, was defeated at the Bal
timore Convention, because he was opposed TO
.4nneration, and James X. Polk was nominal
ted because he was in favor Of immediate IN
nerafion; and that Convention passed reso-
luton to that effect, which has recently been
endorsed by the Locoloeo State Convention at
Syracuse. General jackson, the idol of his
party, advocates il. Indeed, il is the watch
word OF the party from Maine 10 Louisiana. -
To use the words Of a Liberty paper in this city,
'Polk goes for Annexation, toar or no tCar, STA
uery or no slavery, honor or dishonor.' Mr.
Clay's position is this: personally he has no
objection to annexation, il il can be obtained
,cithout dishonor and ,cithout ,car.' But OPP
poses il for the following reasons:-
LIST. Because 1T compromises our national
honor.
Cd. Because iii involves us in an unjust war,
in which the sympathies Of Christendom would
be against u.s. m
Sd. Because lit would be done without COM
mon consent
18th. Because she conceives no motive 10 be
more dangerous 10 the peace and permanency
of the Union, than the acquisition of Texas
for the purpose Of extending our territory and
strengthening the Southern portion Of our con-
fedcracy.' ilI
9Th. II would burden the United States with
large and uuascertained debt Either OF
these are good and sufficient reasons to satisfy
US, if Mr. Clay is elected, he will not recon-
mend 'anneXaion.' The entire Wing party
is unanimous in their hostility 10 the scheme,
aud the Wing press is more denunciatory Ct
the measures than the Liberty press We
have noticed with regret that the Liberty press
is almost silent upon The subject, and in some
instances have advocated the doctrines OF Free
Trade, and manifest an overbearng arrogance
towards members oil their own party, who have
the moral courage and take the liberty 10 think
and act for themselves, and even go so far as
10 ridicule and traduce the character and acts
OF the venerable John Quincy Adams, VIM.
II. Seward, and Cassius Nj. Clay--men who
have at least done as much 10 check the en-
croachment of the slave power, and for the adj
vancement Of universal freedom, as Messrs Br-
ncy and Smith, anda thousand fold more than
The men who are now vilfying their phiIan-
ihropic motives. Others may lake such respon-
sbiities and endorse such proceedings, but we
will not. l11
Principles, mol Men, is our motto, nor will
the fear OF having our character or motives i'm
pugned, deter us from putting them into exc
cution; aud we believe the intelligent honest
and rejecting portion Of our brethren in the
Il