Litchfield enquirer., 1844-07-18
Clay, no Texas, no War. and slavery lat the worsD

Clay, no Texas, no War, and slavery Cat the worst
left as it is. ..,....a .. .'.r. -s. r-
However others may feel, confess, as an honest
aboltionist, and sincere lover Of my country, anC
an ardent friend to the union n these States, can-
not hesitate as to my duty at the next election
dare not by any act of mine, multiply the chances
of Folks election, and the consequent catastrophe
of annexation and war. To throw my vote for Mr..
Birney would, in my opinion, under existing cir
cumstances, be doing this; and feel unwilling to
share in the responsibility of such disastrous re-
suit This, then, is my position.
But Henry Clay is STAKEHOLDER, and how, it is
said, can true abolitionst consistently vote for
him / have well considered this objection, and
am convinced that it is not valid in the present at
titude of Political affairs. That Mr.. Clay holds
slaves is thing which sincerely lament. 1t con-
stitues strong personal objection to the man. But
do not vote for the man merely, when exercise
my elective franchise. look at the issMe-at the
great principles involved in the contest and when,
as in the present case, believe that STAKEHOLDER
will do anii-slavery work. or rather, that he will
prevent the contamination of great pro slavery
scheme, while his opponent is committed to its de-
termned prosecution, act in the strictest consis-
tency with my anti-slavery principles in giving
him my vote for that special reason. As an
abolAionist, feel bound TO make every ACT of my
life tell in opposition to the foul system Of Ameri-
can Slavery.
dM No llleoEtSts Dut pam HidH, accustomed TO
look at things in practical light A man is not
to be held endorsing all the opinions and practi-
ces of man for whom he votes. He must decide
in view of circumstances how he can do most good
by his vote. have tried to act upon the principle,
to do all the good, and prevent all the eva could
in this world, and shall continue to do so while
live in it. This principle am bound to carry to
the polls as we'll every where else If Slavery
anti-Slayery was to be the direct, predominant,
and absorbing issue in political contest, the sue
cess of one candidate being the overthrow, and of
the other, the consolidation of the system, then in
deed it would be grossly and shamelully inconsis-
tent for protested abolitonst, for any reason to
vote for the pro-slavery candidate. But when the
existence and non-existence of slavery is not the
direct issue, but another question, which has most
important bearing upon the prospective destiny of
this Institution in country, then the consistent
abolitionist must make his election in view of the
real issue, and contribute to the success of that
ddate who will make the most favorable DISPOSE
ton of the great question. do no more endorse,
in the least countenance Mr.. Clays slaveholding
when vote for him for the reasons above stated,
than should endorse or countenance, Mr.. Birney's
or Mr.. Smiths sentiments and practice on the sub
ect of religion by voting for them because they
But am not acting the reprobated
doctrine of choosing the least of two evils, and not
on the safe principle of choosing neither think
not. choose positive good in this case and more,
choose the greatest possible good within my reach
do what in me lies, to avert very great and threat
enng evil, in the only way in which my effort can
be effective If we should wait until we found
candidate entirely unexceptionable in every respect
before casting vote for him, through fear of en-
dorsing what is wrong, it would be exceedingly
in this imperfect state, that we should feel it
our duty to 60 to the polls at all. We should viz
tually disfranchise ourselves.
But Mr.. Clay, STAKEHOLDER as he is, has given a.
bundant evidence through long life, by many pub
lie declarations and acts that he is at least friend
to slavery, and would take earnestly hold Of any
peaceabie Tor IT'S rgIIJvd
sed to the present abolition movements, and am
sorry for it but he is honestly opposed to u.s. and
think when he comes better to understand the
views and purposes of the great body of ant-slave
ry men at the north, he will think better of us, and
sympathize in our feelings and dolngs against sla-
very.
But il is asked again, how can a Christian vote
for a man so morally corrupt as Henry Clay! put
but little confidence in the representations OF
mans character bv exasperated political opponents
whose interest it is to magnify his defects, and hide
his excellences. That Henry Clay in years past
has been deeply infected with the fashionable vices
of the society where he has lived is probably too
true, and if he suffers for them now It is but just
retribution, of which he has no right to complain:
but that Mr.. Claws character is nOlO and has been
for wears as good as that of most OF our public men,
who are not protesting Christians, do honestly
believe; and when hear such pure and spotless
men as John Quincy Adams and Theodore Frellng-
huysen, who have for years been in habits OF the
closest political and social intimacy with him speak
of him as patriot and as man IN the most eulo-
CYSTIC strains, cannot be made to believe by the
exaggerated representations Of his political enemies
that he is so very corrupt 1t does not stand TO
reason. 1t is a moral inconsistency which cannot
be believed. These representations are all made
for political effect and not from any regard to the
public morals. Mr.. Clay has never been intempe.
rate, am assured on the best authority; and in all
his relations as a citizen, husband and father, he ls
unexceptionable and exemplary AS master he
proverbially kind and indulgent.
Unless we act upon the principle that we Will
vote for no man who is not christian,t is not easy
to draw the line defining the extent Of moral quail
ficatons which ought to satisfy our conscience. 1t
is clearly, however, the christians duty to with
hold his vote from every man obviously wanting IN
moral integrity, and voluntarily addicted to vice
To put Mr.. Clay in this class, would, nave no
doubt, be a foul SANDER In the coming contest,
however. the great issue which thlnk | nave
fairly stated sinks the respective candidates as m
dipidmaEs very much out of the way They are to
be regarded rather as the opponents OF two widely
different and adverse policies. If one succeeds,We
are to have a slaveholding nation whose inhabi-
tants rebelled from their rightful government and
conquered free country, and cursed its virgin sell
by planting upon it the foulest system of oppression
ON which the sun ever shone. yoked to the car OF
our destiny by which act we shall plunge into a
bloody war, saddlcd with debt of uncounted mil
ions-the organic law Of our glorious constitution
Destroyed political relations between the north
aid south changed-the demon of slavery placed
upon t..lone g high and i,f'ad up,' whore ne can
isuoh to scoro olr 2uay efforts to dcthgons nim;--
ard Oh. country made Kissing and oy-word
throughout the civilized world AZ this 70 please
Ire unhu,llng advocates oc 7erpetual slavery, ant
set ofun, ril.cised AID selfish spectators in Tex