Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-09-20
What will Honest Whigs do now?

What will Honest Wings do now?
On reading Mr.. CIay's Alabama letter, the a.
bove question involuntarly arose in our mind
Thousands who regarded the annexation of Tex
as as the greatest calamity that could happen to
the county, were informed by wing papers and
politicians, that Mr.. Clay was the uncompromsing
opponent of the entire scheme, and that his cleo
ton alone could prevent its success. This they
honestly believed, and though they felt strong
repugnance to his pro-slavery principles and prac-
tees, as well as his sadly immoral character they
considered this point of such vast importance, that
for once, duty required them to overlook all other
considerations, and vote for him. What then
must be their surprise and af1icton, when assured
by Mr.. Clay HIMSELF that so far from being OPP
posed to the thing, he regards it as "a permanent
acquisition, which will exist as long as the globe
ITSELF and that he should be glad to see it, ac-
compshed. 1t is true he wishes it done in GER
tain way, that is, without war, without dishonor
with the common consent of the Union, ard upon
just and fair terms But does not Mr. Polk wish
to have it done in this way? Undoubtedly he
does, and he would by no means acknowledge a
desire to have it effected on opposite principles.
What then is the difference between these two
candidates on this point? AS to the thing 'tSey,
there is evidently NONE. AS to the manner, Of
doing it, there probably may be some difference
1t is evident then, that we cannot rely upon either
of these men to keep Texas out of the Union, for
what they desire to effected they will undoubt
eddy labor to accomplish.
We admit that many northern wings are hearth
~ opposed to the thing itself, in any form, and it is
possible that their desire that Mr.. Clay should be
opposed to il, has induced them to make assertions
that ne actually aDaS opposed to the scheme, in a
manner that he has never authorized. And it
would hot be strange if some who would be great
men, who regard an impression that they have been
mistaken about any thing that relates to their par
ty, as an imputation upon their unbounded wis
dom, should chafe and rave, and call those liars
who point out the discrepancy between their state
ments and those of Mr.. Clay. But all this is not
very alarming, and will do little towards satisfying
unprejudiced, sensible men, that Mr. Clay does
not know enough to state his own real views.
On what then we rely to keep Texas out of
the Union? Evidently, only on the ant-slavery
feeling of the North, measure of which is to be
found in all of the parties. But in what way can
this anti-savery feeling manifest itself? By vot-
ing for Mr.. Polk or Mr.. Clay? Certainly not, for
that would be virtually endorsing their views, and
encouraging them to expect our countenance in
carrying out those views.
Some have thought it best to assist in electing
one of these men, and then prevent their doing
: mischiefn this matter, by electing members o.
Congress who are opposed to the scheme. But i
should be remembered that in this State rep
resentatives, with only one exception are elected
already and that in voting for electors, become
essentially responsible, for the character & known
purposes of him whom they elect to the Office o
} President How then can honest men of boil
these parties express their opposition to this des
tructive measure, but by Withholding their votes
from both these men, &giving them to one who does
represent their views, in his avowcd opposition t.
the whole business? Such vote, too, would bC
such lesson of instruction to our Representative
as they would not dare to disregard.
Let not the wing leaders now abandon this poin
or attempt to belittle it, and blink it out of sight
, 1t is an important issue, and one of their owl
= choosing, and should they now drop it and at
= tempt to get up buster about something else,
!, would only show that all their hue-and-cry abou
: the sad consequences of annexation, was mer
t hypocritical farce, got up by mercenary dema
: gogues, to serve their party purposes