Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-10-18


less dependants for they have ba4ked too long in
the eternal sunshine of the Declaration of indie
pcndence, to shelter themselves under the wing of
such an excuse. But suppose, that they are ignO-
rant of the 'inalienable rights of all men to life,
liberty andthe pursuit of happiness" Does not
this very ignorance dlsqualliy them for the Pres
dcncy of the United states' Is he worthy to be
the chief ruler of free people, the head Of gov
eminent, based on, the recognition and acknowl-
edgement of these nalienable right, who does not
know that these rights are the property of all in
the nation and ''that t9.secure those rights govern
mentS are instituted among men!" Some OF you
think it disqualification f0r the Office of President
of the United States that candi.aIe Cor that high
honor is not in favor Of FREQ I4%iesand Sub
Treasury. Others maintain that it is Il dlsqua
fcation that candidate is not in favor of a Tar
if and National Bank. And if opposition to one
or the other of these systems of national policy is
disqualification for that high Office, how much
more must not ignorance of the "inaentble right
of all men to life liberty and the pursuit of hap
plness," and "that to secure these rights, govern
ments are instituted among men" dlsqualty can
ddate to act as the head Of a free government
Are not these principles Fundamental principles of
our government? And will you elevate to the
highest station in the civilized world, there to act
as the presiding genius of our free Institutions the
man, who every day of his life tramples these di
divine and sacred principle into tho dust! What
III importance TO welfare Oh man are CuD- TCa-
sures and Free Trade or Tariffs and Bnks, com
pared to these high principles, recognized and en-
forced as The nestimabIe blrlh-rght Of all the in
habants Of the land? And yet for the sake of the
pecunlaIy advantages to be secured Wy those mea-
Sures, will you place over this natia, men, who
| deny that these principles are applicable to three
millions of the population OF this country; and who
are openly opposed to such an exercise Ofthe pow
ers of our government as will secure to the full
0V of its intio hts oolI9
do it will not be the first time, that the great and
inestimabe interests of Liberty have been barter
ed for gold.
| To those of you who are connected with the
| Wing party, would put few important intero-
cations. Do you intend to vote for Henry Clay?
Did he not in the Senate of the United States, so
recently as February 7lh 1889, his speech on Alb
clifton Petitions, declararc that he was opposed to
the abolition of slavery in the District of Column
bia? Did he not say that in regard to the "plant-
ing States, the Southern and Southwestern states,
he was opposed "to any scheme whatever of enan-
cipation, gradual or mmediate?" Did he not de-
clare that 'the liberty of the descendants of Afri-
ca in the United States is incompatible with the
safety and liberty Of the Eul opean descendants. -
Did he not affirm, that when in 1878 the propo-
sltlon for calling convention il Kentucky to
amend the CONSTITUTIONS so as to provide for the
gradual abolition of slavery was submitted to the
people 81 felt myself constrained to take immedi-
ate, bold, and decided ground against it," Did he
not maintain, that Florida, being south Of the line
Of Sc 80 degrees, "according to the true spirit of
the understanding which prevailed" at the time
OF the Missouri compromise, 'should be slave
States?" Did he not assert, 'Fthat two hundred
years oflegslatlon have sanctioned and Sanctifed
negro slaverY?' Did he not in the famous Mis-
Sissipp cause assert, that the power the general
Government over slavery was for its protection
and not for its destruction? Did he not, in April
last in his speech at Raleigh refer TO his speech
of 1889 on Abolition Petitions and TO his address
to Mr.. Mendenhall as containing his present views
OH the subject of slavery! Those speeches clear
ly proved, that Mr.. Clay is in favor of pnrpetua
slavery in the District of Columbia; of the indef
mite continuance of the slave trade between the
States, of its perpetual domination in the planting
states, and in the southern and south western
states; in favor of the admission of Florida as
slave state. And in his speech on Tie Mississippi
case, he is the earnest and pcrvcrsely eloquent ad
, vocate of the doctrine, that the general Govern
mcnt this traffic is to be welded for its pro
lection, and not for its destruction. He has no
concealed his sentiments on this subject from yol
: or the public. They are flung abroad to the ligh
Of the day and you are appraised by him Of the pro
lection he will give the Peculiur Institution, if hi
is elected President ofthe United States He ha
| given you to understand, that he will protect slave
ny in the District Of Columbia, and the slave trad
mend the admission of Florida as a slave state;-
y and so exert the influence of the general Govern
ment, as to overshadoW and protect this system O
+ high-handed and unmiXed vilany Ifyou vote 70
him it is with your eyes open upon the course h
has virtually told you he would take in relation tt
= American slavery. And do you not know that 70
e all the power he shall WELD in support of SLAYER,
y0u will justly be held responsible by God ant
; MANI Is it not ust and righteous maxim, tina
political parties are responsible for the acts ant
: measures of those whom they elevate to office
e with knowledge of their opinions. You, VIII
are the advocates Of Wing principles, assert, AM
assert with truth, that those who vote for Mr.. Pol
: with Il knowledge Of his political sentiments vol
, for a low tariff and the annexation of Texas. Yo
= affirm, that those who give him their suffrage,
successful in their efforts to raise him to the presi
f dency, will be responsible for all the influence h
Will exert in that high station to extend the eribl
f reign OF slavery in this country and the Sa
e bint into the Wretched Republic. Since Mr.. Pol
4 has given his opinions on slavery and Texas t.
the world, there is no avoiding the force of tni
= argument. How unavoidable then the conclusion
e that those, who sustain Mr.. Clay at the Balot-bo
: will be responsible for all the influence, which
shall exert for the protection aud extension of SaUe
o ry in the United States? Mr.. Clay has the meri
s, great frankness in regard to the expression
is his opinions on this and on every other subject
n You have no reason to suppose that his course,
IN the executive of the nation, will belle his opinion
Is and principles in relation to slavery. And as h
S has made no secret of his views, you who ee(
IF him will be responsible for the influence he will
W ert in behalf of system of oppression, more de
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