Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1844-04-12

| 1--WE should think il unjust to ceii'1St
LOFTS wicked man because, in an age N
(which tole ration was geueralyTegard
ed as a sin, he persecuied heretics. We
should think it unjust to call Cowper'G
friend, John Newton, bypocrite and q
monster, because,st a time when the
SIavetrade was commonly considered
by the most respectable people as an in
nocentand beneficial traffic, he went,
largely provided with hymn books and
handcufis. on Guinea voyage. An
immoral action being in particular So
clety generally considered as innocent
'as good plea Tor an individual who be =
ing one Of that society, and having adop
ted The notions which prevail smoDg
his mel lghboTs, commits that action
j cannot then, because Mr.. Clay is a
Slave holder, ina community where the
whole Christian Church OF all denomi'
natIons-the only prolessed teschers Of
morals among the people-srs also
Slave holders, prescribe him, for that
single thing Of difference between US.
10 saying thus much iu justification Of
my course in voting for Mr. Clay, /
should be false 10 my own reputation,
.ungraleluI 10 that large portion of Anti
Slavery men who have symputhized
with me in my feeble efforts in the
cause of UNIVERSAL Liberty, and recreant
TO that glorious cause itself, if did not
aVow my bOlief that the time is near @ t
hand when public continent will moi,
ought not and cannothoId The Slave
holder guiItless Yes. | will yet 60 far
ther, and declare in the name Of the
Christian Religion and our Republican
institutions, based prolessedIy on the
principle Of The greatest good to the
greatest number that no man, after the
next Presidential election, when so much
light GhaIl have been shed upon this
subject, should bo deemed ft to rule
over a Republican, Christian People,
who shall violate, by holding Slaves,
the only true principle upon which ei-
Iher Christianity or Republiennlsm car
stand the test Of philosophical scrutiny
for single moment,
In conclusion, in refutution Of the Sian
ders Of the Washington Globe, which
are ever harmless where the print is
known, in justice to Mr.. Clay, and in
Vindication Of my own self respect, you
will allow me TO say, tina! my opinions
and my action upon the subject Of Sla-
very are all my own; that, however
much may esteem Mr., Clay asa man,
a Statesman, and a friend though |
may regard him as one oI the most frank
noble, practical, wise, eloquent, and pa.
trolic Of those who, in this or any other
age, have assumed TO governs great
Nation, the editor Of the Globe bul
makes exhibition Of his own ignoble
spirit when he insnuates that Henry
Clay would play double part 10 deceive
the American People. by debating 10 me
or that |, humble as may be in the es-
'imation Of my untry,-woud be used
by him, or sDy other man, or set Of men,
Ior any dishonorable purpose, or be
treated with upon any other terms than
those Of absolute equality.
Trusting that your wishes, as'woll
as The purposes Of those persons who
have done me The honor 10 address me
by letter upon this subject, will be best
subsorved by making this answer pub.
lie, send ltat once to the press.
Respectfully your obedient servant,
c. M. CLAY.
P. S. Reform, in Jeremy Bentham's
day, was termed 'innovStion;' this owl.
faced age has improved in this respect
now 'Ianalicism' lie the word--a strong
ord-yGl when will Americans learn
il! there isa stiIIrstronger word than
ths-'1rWh.' iL( there be really 10 all
this wide Union, a single man Of the
McDufIie school, OF Nood Oense cool, cal.
culaliDg, quick in the dsCernment Of The
pith o'thing, aud above all no 'enlhusi'
asst lot him read Thomas CarIyle's
'Sphinr' in the Past and Present. and
then tell us whether there be a Sphinx
also in America and solve US The riddle!
Tho description covers four pages
will not the land Of tracts look to iGf
~ AZ n