The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-11-13
Can L COnci-
enctiOusly
" Ote or
Henry Cgeysy

OLA liuu OCIlOuo uCGOlS
on this subject and i'll had then beeu
called upon to decide, should probably
have declined TO give Mr.. Clay my vote
Subsequent inquiry has led me to
change my views and as there may be
those who still cherish similar doubts
would ask their attention to a few plain
considerations, which have relieved my
own mind on this subject.
To illustrate my present views, l will
take case which has actually occurred.
We all know, that WILLIAM WILDER
FORCE was a man of great contentious
ness, and elevated Christian principles.
Yet he gave his vote, for MANY years, to
keep William Pitt at the head of the
British government through Mr.. Pitt du-
ring that very period, fought duel, lived
in the habitual violation of the Christian
Sabbath, and often INDUCED in excess of
Of wine. How could Mr.. Wilberforce
vote for such man, with clear con-
science?
The brief answer is, He made dis
tinction between the Minister and the
man: he felt that he could support Mr..
Pitt in his public capacity, without Civ
ing the least sanction to the errors of his
private life. Let us look at this distinc-
ton, and see if it is not founded in truth,
and support by common sense.
l. Mr.. Pitt, with all his abilities, was
still the mere represedtatire Of certain
principles-the organ for carrying out a
svsfnm Of rnaacuraS ,,,b,ob -, ...-...-.
body of men in Great Britain, where de-
sirous to support Mr.. Wilberforce was
one of this body He saw that these
measures which he deemed essential to
the honor, the prosperity, and the relig-
ious interests of the country, must inevit-
ably be sacrificed, if Mr.. Pitt was put
down. In voting as he did, he was.
therefore, really voting for these MEAS
UREs, and not for the man in his indiVid-
ual capacity.
2. The appointments to office under
Mr.. Pitt, were certain, in Mr.. WIlber-
forces view, to be such in general, as he
and other CONSCIENTIOUS men would approve
much mole so than could be expected
from his political opponents. He felt
sure Of having learned and upright judges,
and able executive officers in the posts of
honor and trust, drought the land-men
whose private lives were superior, in most
instances, to that of Mr.. Pitt himself
Now this constitutes the real government
Of a country; and the case may happen,
that one man who holds the appointing
power, thought pure himselfin private life,
may be led by party influences to give the |
people corrupt government, while anoth-
FL of inferior personal character, may be
or compelled by similar inhuen-
ces, to place them under government of |
men, who are ga terror to evil doors, and |
a praise of them that do WELL" The
questions turns, not so much on the char
acter ofthe man, as of the party which
he represents; and Mr.. Wilberfooce in
giving his vote, was in fact voting for ten
thousand men whose character and prin-
,iPles ne in general approved, and not for
ne single individual through whom they |
obtained Office.
3. No man doubts, whether in pur-
suing the great ends of life, he may act
9th others whose private character he
Ices not wholly approve. An apostle
las decided the question, otherwise Unjust
'e needs go out Of the ,cOrld." No one
,esitates to employ such men when neces-
sr, as the instrr~erts of accomplishing