The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-11-06
EXTRACT IRON A LETTER OF THE
HON J. R. GIDDINGS.


HOLDER"
The objection is true in point offact; |
wish it were otherwise. To a certain extent,
it is a legitimate objection to his moral char
acter. The holding of slaves in slave
State, think is wrong, and detracts from
the moral worth of man who practises II.
1t is of the same character with the vice OF
duelling. But there is nothing in the act of
holding slaves in Kentucky that dsqualiies
a man from discharging the duties OF Presi-
dent. There is no more connection between
the duties of President and of holding slaves
in Kentucky, than there is between the du-
ties of that office and opposing slavery in
Ohio. Mr.. Clay may hold his slaves in that
State, and perform the duties of President
Just as faithfully, and honestly, as Mr.. Biz
ney could with his views against holding
slaves. Nor do think Mr., Clay would be
more likely to encroach upon our rights than
Mr.. Birney would be TO encroach upon those
of the Slave States. i regard them both as
honest men, and SO fan as slavery is concern
ed have no doubt they would administer the
Government precisely alike. | entertain no
fears that Mr.. Clay's friendship for slavery
would lead him to violate his oath, or the
Constitution, no more than i have that Mr..
Birney's hatred of slavery would lead him 10
the commission of moral perjury. 1t Is,
however, urged, that as he holds slaves, his
pecuniary interest would be III favor Of that
institution. In that respect, his situation
would be the same as that OF a Northern man
elected to the same office, who hold an inter-
est IN manufacturing establishment, CT IS
interested in agriculture or in commerce.
/ His interest would be in favor Of whatever
business or Unemployment his capital is vested.
| Mr. Birney' interest N Northern Agriculture
would be as likely &c mislead him, as Mr..
! Clay's interest in slaves would be TO draw him
! from the path Of duty. But in either case,
the interest would be too remote for any man
to suppose il would induce them to violate
their oath Of Office. Rut it is urged, that
holding slaves is wrong and immoral and
that no slave holder is entitled 10 our c0uh-
dence. And now suppose have reached
the great and real objection which exists in
the minds Of anti-slsvery men against Mr..
Clay.
They regard holding Of slaves as a crime,
and they say, ''if we vote for slave holder,
we voluntarily participate IN his crimes"
Yet they will apply such doctrine TO no 9TH
er transaction OF hfe. II they wish TO en-
ploy lawyer, they will look foI the man
most likely to execute the trust repOsed in
him to their satisfaction. If he be an inf
del or an immoral man, yet likely 10 transact
their business more satisfactorily than others
they will employ him without feeling that
they participate in bis vices. II they wish TO
purchase farm, they will employ the agent
whom they thing best qualified to effect that
object, without particular reference 10 his
morals. In our church associations we ad-
nit none who disagree with us on doctrines
of christian faith. But in our civil relations
we are compelled to associate with infdels,
I md these who differ with US on moral and re-
ligious subjects. The in6del has the same
| rights, and is equally interested in preserving
our civil institutions, as the pious christian.
! Inner our federal compact the slavehnlder
posses the same rights that the anu-slavery
man holds, and if he be devoted TO the sup
port of the constitution, he Is equally emit
/ tied to hold Office. Still our liberty friends
urge that their consciences will not permit
them to vote for a STAKEHOLDER, and that in
rejecting Mr.. Clay they only obey the die
tates Of their own feelings.
The moral sense, or the power to discrim-
mate between isht and wrong. was bestowed
upon US for high and useful purposes. When
| the judgement is fully informed, and the
mind is uninflueuced by feeling or interest,the
conscience may be regarded as an almost I'M
erring guide. But acting without the proper
| information, or under this influence of feel
| ing or Of interest, it is a dangerous cOnduc-
tor. 1t led Saul TO prosecute the Saints; the
/ Catholics to burn Professionals; and the Pu-
ritan fathers to hang those whom they called
witches. will relate some recent circum-
stauces, which illustrate the danger Of io.-
lowing an impulse.
During the campaign Of las; autumn, had
occasion TO address the people in distant
Congressional District of this State. The
Wing candidate wa, an early supporter OF the
rights of the North, and of mankind. lie
was among the most distinguished Phllan-
thropists Of that district. Every Liberty
man admitted that he would vote IN regard TO
Slavery, if elected, precisely as they wished
! The opposite party had put IN nomination
man who was understood to be opposed TO
ali those measures which would seperate us
from the support Of slavery. The Liberty
Marty held the balance Of power. They were
ioId that it was quite likely that the repeal OF
the eag-rule. and of the law that sustains
slavery and the slave trade in the District OF
Columbia. might depend upon singl vote ;
if so. the continuance Of them would depend
upou the vote oi the Liberty men OF thdt us
trict. They thought the Wing candidate
# elected, would vote for Mr.. Clay to the
Office Of President. and they said their con-
sciences would not permit them to vote Tor
anv man who would sustain slave holder
The Wing candidate was defeated; His OPP
moment was elected, and the gag-rule was sus-
tanned by majority of one rOte only, IL was
the oninion of many members, thai if the gag
ruIe were repealed, there would be no dill
culty in repeating the law that sastalns slave
~ and the slave trade in the District Of Co
Ig% nbG Such was my opinion. If we were
on r in this opinion, ask ifthOse who re-
GOssd 70 sustain a man, whose efforts would
hav 49, reneaIed the law that sustaIns the slave
I'd in that district, are not no" involved
IN the Quilt of that inexecrable commerce
Tr was WA in their power to repeal the law that
susra;ns il. They refused to do So and now
nIead the dictates of their consciences TO JUS
" their refusal. Does not the blood Of
in. IS rest upon theml When the slave
slav. ", bereft of her children by the inhu-
moth, der in mankind, shall, in the unutter,
nan de- c of her soul, cast her eyes toward
able grie. *, "Why did you not reiiere me
f'' VIII she