The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-03-21


Progress, and Civilization2 Let the his.
tory of the past-let the development OIL
1.-THE future, determine. The Wing party
has committed errors. Human nature
cannot but err. individuals often rr,and
masses still more frequently. But the
errors ofthe Wing party are always on
the side of law, of order and popular lib
erty," But have said enough to con-
vince any rational man Of the true Wing
principles of Henry Clay and the Wings
of the Union. All must be convinced of
their similarity to the Wing principles of
Washington and Jefferson.
Investigator has one more challenge,
which is, to show an identity of views be.
tween Washington and Jefferson. and
Henry Clay and the Wings, on the ques'
ton of Slavery. We will answer him by
running parallel between Washington
and Clay. We will take the dark side
of the picture first, dark as it is the two
cases are parallel. Washington, it will
not be denied, was great Shareholder
until his death. Henry Clay now holds
slaves; whether he will until the day of
his death is not certain. On this dark
line they both practiced, and believe with
parallel views. So far there is full re-
semblance, am sorry TO say of very
dark shade. [ also am convinced one
unpleasant 10 both. Both were DESTROYS
to shake off the blighting curse in con.
stitutional way. Now for the bright side:
l shall not be disputed, therefore need not
prove, that Washington detested slavery
yet owned slaves still. Henry Clay de.
tests slavery yet owns slaves sill. Wash
ing,on publicly declared his adherence
of slavery that he would vote TO over
throw slavery by legislative authority"
No other way. History proves that
Henry Clay has said and wrote more
against slavery than ever fell from the
lips or pen of Washington. Read the
memoir of Mr.. Clay, of his opposition to
slavery in early life. Iquote from vol.
of his life. printed in l843. He was a
citizen Of Kentucky and 20 years of age,
and much engaged in writing and speak
ing OH the question of putting down
slavery in that State, by revision of the
Constitution, which was then the question
before the Stale. His Biographer says:
"The object at once enlisted the most ar
dent sympathies of Mr.. Clay; and by all
the means within his reach, through the
public press and in assemblies of the peo-
pie, his best powers were exerted for its
success. He was impelled TO this course
by a deep conviction of the justice CT the
cause not less than by the profoundest
sympalhies of his nature. Then as now,
and through all his life. he expressed,
openly and frankly, his thorough oppo-
sition to slavery in all its Transcription
ing its existence, and zeaousIy seeking
to break its chains when the disruption
would not endanger the peace and happi-
ness of the slaves themselves, as well as
their masters. Then as now, he regard
ed the sanclity Of law and the weIl-being
of society, as considerations o. the high
est mportance-and the first as the sole
condition of the last" Mr.. Clay has
more than once declared slavery a dark
spot in the American Horizon.
From early youth when Henry Clay
first sci his foot on the soil of Kentucky
may be seen his adherence Of slavery and
from that time up to the present hour, he
has fear!essly given his testimony against
the evil. This statement needs no proof;
the living historian has already supported
it. | will mention but one evidence more
Of Mr.. Clay's adherence of slavery. and
then leave it TO the candid to Judge if the
same kind Of evidence everywhere admit,
led as ample proof OF Washington's and
Jefferson's adherence OF slavery, is not
more full in the caseof Mr. Clay. In an
address made by him in Washington in
1927, he says: "Lf 1 couldbs Instrument
al of graduating this deepest stain
(SLAvERy) upon the character Of our
country, and remoce all cause Of reproach
gift By foreign mations-D 1 could be
of Kidding. Of this foul blot