The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-08-01

to my duty at the next election. dare
not, by any act of mine, multiply the
chances of Folks election, and the con-
sequent catastrophe Of annexation and
war. To throw my vote for Mr. Birnev
would, in my candid opinion. under ex.
isting circumstances, be doing this and
| feel unwilling to share in the RESPONSE.
bility of such disastrous result. This.
then, is my position.
But Henry Clay is Shareholder, and
how, it is said, can true abolitionist CON-
sistently vote for him? have well con-
sidered this objection, and am convinced
that it is not valid in the present attitude
of political affairs. That Mr. Clay holds
slaves is thing which | sincerely La
ment. 1t constitutes u strong personal
objection to the man. But | do not vote
for the man merely, when1 exercise nv
elective franchise. look at the issue
at the great principles involved in the
contest, and when | believe that slaves
holder will do anli~slavery work, or rath-
er, that he will prevent the consummation
of a great pro>slavery scheme, while his
opponent is committed to its determined
prosecution, act in the strictest consist
ency with my anli.slavery principles in
giving him my vote for that special reo.
son. AS an abolitionist, feel bound to
make every act of my life tell in opposi>
ZION 10 the foul system of American Slave
ry. am no theorist, but q plain man,
accustomed to look al things in practical
light. A man is not 10 be held as en-
dorsing all the opinions and practices of a
man for whom he votes. He must de-
eide 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 coil | could in this
world, and shall continue to do so while
live in it. This principle am bound 10
carry to the polls as we'll as every where
else. If Slavery or Anti,SIavery was to
be the direct, predominant, and absorbing
issue In political contest, the success of
one candidate being the overthrow, and
of the other, the consolidation of the sys-
TEN, then indeed ii would be grossly and
shamefully inconsistent for protested ao-
olitionist, for any reason, 10 vote for the
pro slavery candidate. But when the ex-
istence of slavery is not the direct issue,
but another question, which has a most
important bearing upon the prospective
destiny of this Institution in our country,
then the consistent a5olitionist must make
his election in view of the real issue, and
contribute TO the success of that candidate
who will make the most favorable dispo-
siton of the great question. do no more
endorse, or in the least countenance, Mr.
Clay's slaveholding when vote for him
for the reasons above stated, than should
endorse or countenance Mr. Birney's or
MIR Smiths sentiments and practices on
the subject of religion, by voting for Them
because they are abolilionists. But am l
not acting on the reprobated doctrine of
choosing the least oftwo evils, and not on
the safe principle of choosing neither? L
think not. | choose positive good in
this case and more, I choose the great
est possible good within my reach. do
wha. in me lies to avert very great and
threatening evil, in the only way in which
my effort can be effective. II we should
wait until we found candidate entirely
unexceptionable in every respect, before
casting our vote for him, through fear of
endorsing what is wrong, it would be ex-
ceedingly rare in this imperfect state, that
we should go to the polls at all. We
should virtually disfranchise ourselves.
But Mr. Clay, STAKEHOLDER as he is, has
given abundant evidence through a long
life, by many public declarations and acts,
hat ne Is al least no friend to slavery, and
would earnestly take hold of any scheme
which he should see TO be practicable and
peaceable for its removal. am not with
out hope of yet seeing him before he dies,
an ardent advocate of universal emancipa.
ion. am aware he is opposed 10 The
present abolition movements, and | am
sorry for it; but he is honestly opposed 10
is, and | think when he comes better TO
Understand the views and purposes of the
great body of anti.slavery men at the
,orth he will think better of u.s. and svm-
,athize in our feelings and doings against
slavery. Blu, it is asked again, how can
| Christian vote for a man SO morally
corrupt as Henry Clay2 / put but little
in the representations OF mans
character BY exasperated political oppo-
tents, whose interest is to magnify his de,
ects, and hide his excelencies That
lenry Clay in years past has been deep
y infected with the fashionable vices of
he society where he has lived is probably
ut too true, and if he suffers for them
low it is but just retributiou, of which
e has no right TO complain but that Mr.
Clay's character is no1O and has been for
ears as good as that of most Of our pub
&c men, who are not protesting Christians,
do honestly believe and when | hear
UGH pure and spotess men as John GUM
y Adams and Theodore FrelinghuyseD,
Tho have for years been in habits OF the
lnsesi nnliiicaI aud social inIi