Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-07-12
COMMUNICATION.
TO THE ABOTITIONTSTS OF YER
MONT.

part which duty calls on him to act. Contrary to
universal expectation, by the sudden and unlocked
for action Of one of the great parties represented in
Convention the issue to be tried at the approaching
Presidential Election has, within the space of forty
days, been totally changed The old issues, upon
which that party met signal defeat in 1910, have
been completely abandoned, implying tact confes.
of the justice Of that defeat and the necessity of
assuming new ground in order to do battle with any
hope of success against the party who rlumphed at
that time. That party still maintain the ground they
then defended, with the assumption of such positions
only as are rendered necessary in order take issue
with their opponents upon the new points so sudden
| ly thrust into the controversy
Under this altered state of thinps il becomes ne.
cessary for every freeman to take position acain--to
review as well The old grounds of difference as the
new articles thus strangely nterpolaed into the po-
ltcal creed which he is called to subscribe.
If elements are now found in the political contest,
which present new phase Of the momentous subject
to which your attention has been so strongly AVA
kened, such result surprising alike to all parties,
cannot be attributed TO any desire the par, of the
Wings to reap benefit from its introduction. The
simple fact appears before you, with the most perfect
dslinctness, and in deciding upon the course to be
pursued in this emergency, have the bodness to be-
lleve that you will not dsdan to hear the friendly
words of one of your number however slight
may be his claims to public attention
For ten years have been earnest and believe
q consistent opponent to the longer continuance of
Slavery in this Union. In all suitable ways have
labored for its extinction and il have been compel
led to di Ter with very many Of my brethren the
manner of attacking this enormous moral and poln-
cal evil have had the consolation to agree with ma
ny others, whose sincerity and patriotism conld not
permit myself to doubt have looked upon the abo-
lltlon OF Slavery, in political point of view, as
: practical question-one which demanded in the pros
= ecutlon OF political measures the same prudence and
the same wisdom which are necessary in the effort TO
produce any other political result. And have not
: felt myself at liberty to take any given This
Y subject without having regard, not merely to what
~ ought to be its result, but what 1riH probably be
such result have not felt that had right TO pur.
IL sue which obviously and certainly tend to
ut retard abolition and perpetuate slavery, merely be-
=, cause such measures may be the which ought to
be crowned with the desired success In short have
felt and do feel bound 10 lock The certain results of
my acts, hope TO escape for such acts if
had good reason at the time of their commission TO
believe, that their effect would be unquesonably dis
asrous 10 the which prete nded 10 desire to
promote
These have been my reasons for the which
I'd in all sincerity and honesty have felt compelled
- take. and have yet failed to any arguments
AZ which were sufficient to convince that ought to
abandon my course-I could not feel liable to the
charge of dereiction from duty, while the admitted
" result of the measures took, clearly promove
W of the end had in view. have either been able
H. 10 see the apposteness of the assertion that order
IT. defend the have adopted is necessary to
w. call IN the aid of that pernlclous doctrine that the
end sanclifes the means. For it can hardly be
ously contended that all persons are open to the I'M
~ putaton of using unlawful means who fail 10 be
re WINGED by the arguments Of those who deem it their
no DUTY n n,hOuuh that cour
Wy should directly tend 10 the perpeuaon of slavery in
-e this Republic
so But whatever may have been the justice of holding
~ such doctrine hitherto, when the benefits result
r from political action were more md uncertain,
WI apprehend shall not be accused of presumption in
To- seeking 10 set forth order the reasons my mind
conclusive and unanswerabe which call upon every
IN who desires the extinction of the cur Sc of slavery
III, and the downfall Ct Southern preponderance in This
M Union. at this time and without delay to unite with
wv the Wing party in the election Of Henry Clay aud
Mt the defeat of james X. Polk.
OF Up TO the period when the of 1870 revea led
;er to the nation the rapid and dsproporonare advance
mo- ment OF the Tree States in wealth. population and re-
sources, and the corresponding relative dminuton of
the weight of the slavehoding States in the federal
balance, the slavocracy with the possession
ing ofpresent power or fearing the effect of premature
led movement to its future stability chose rather
ID
md possible the people of the North the real state
h OF the slave influence IN directing the machinery of
M government and when charged with controlling our
u" natlonal affairs they uniformly or with few excep
he tons, repeed the charge. They had always up 10
that time managed. by presenting an unbroken front
led themselves, and by gaining to their interests for
an consi eraon such portion Of the Northern democra-
J. as su'n s'qu'eu' 10 exercise an over
~. ment, every question either Immediately or remote.
TED ly connected with the "pecuIlar institution" The
ISL Locofocos oflhe North needed Southern help. This
in ready upon known conditions and the and of The
ec South came to be essential that the Of
true democracy was understood TO lie an unreserved
subservency 10 the demands of the Shareholders and
" ready acqniescence in their plans for the security"
ay of their section the expense of the rights and
fly interests of the North
ps But the census of 1910 displayed state of things
our which demonstrated that something must be done,
and that speedily, to aver; ,ie impending prosration
al the slave interest in the Councils of the Nat ion Ii
u" became apparent that the North with interests every
ted day growing in importoncc and ro,ic., nowe,
Who strengthening in proportion TO the increase of pop
ned ulaon and resources could be expected much
cat longer 10 send representatives to Washington who
q, could bebought or wheede into shameless beiray
al Of its rights and its prosperity. The tide rising
ol' high for the old dlSes withstand it, The South
Old scale dangling in the air while the Northern
'es, settled firmly with weight which no human arm
ere might withstand.
nh Instant resistance speedy destruction the
-, desperate alternatives presented to the proud olgar
49, chy who had so long ruled the nation with rod of
iron. After surveying the ground, they came to the
ere conclusion that the only prospect of salvation lay in
a- fostng into the Union that country The South
to west which having been settled by Adventures and
md desperadoes from The Sayehoding States, and hav-
tv ing partially thrown off the Mexican allegiance for
. the notorious that its laws forbade the exis-
~ tence of slavery, was looked upon as the welcome
weight which to restore the vanished ascendancy
of the South.
ls.al IL -