The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-09-19

ed 10 do it. A rumor starts that he is ad-
dicled to certain vces-I question Presi'
dent DIN on the sutherland get for an
swer that the first named is not guilty OF
what has been charged upon him. Now
the deacon thinks a Yes or No, os to
whether would still consider Mr. A. wor.
thy Of my confidence, will settle the ques-
ton of DR. Bascom's testimony 10 favor of
Mr. Clay. l gave my views of DR. Bas-
CONS statements week before last, and
should they escape the minds OF the read
ers they can easily refer to that number.
In the presen, supposed case, think my
friend has aimed too high, as he names a
man who ! know TO be evsry acay quali-
fed to do my business. If l kme,o all this,
should not be very likely TO ask any
man whether he was a suitable person.
A man might be capable of doing all the
business desired, but if he was dishonest
he would not be ererg a0ay qualified ! Or
if he was drunkard, he would not be
qualified, while in a state OF in,oxicalion.
Or if he was addicted to gambling | should
not know what to depend upon, and he
could not therefore be every way qualified
In order to make the present supposed
case, parallel in one point, Mr. A, must
be absent from Middletown a great share
of The time. Consequently if Mr. DIN re-
manned there, he could not know what
Mr. A. was about, any more than Mr.
Bascom could know what Mr. Clay was
about when away from him. And q
shrewd immoral man, would be as IN,
likely to perpelrate his immoralities in the
presence of Doctor of Divinity, as of any
other man. - Certainly so if he consider ed
the Doctor opposed to vicious practices.
The question as to whether I would throw
away all The affirmative testimony that
Mr. A gambled SC, and take Mr. Olin's
negative testimony, does not decide the
validity of either, as | might be blinded
from some cause. so as not 10 weigh the
evidence imparlially. now have in mind
a man who is several hundred dollars
poorer in consequence Of overbalancing
the testimony Of The few, who affirmed to
the dishonesty of another, by the popular
cry that all was well l presume that
should a similar case now present itself,
the man would take different course.
But few years ago Mr. Ralhbun, Of
Buffalo was considered good for any a,
mount he might promise, and his reputa>
lion was as high as that of any other man.
He was represented as one OF the greatest
business men in the whole country, and
when Mr. Rathbun's reputation for bust
ness tact, and stern integrity was at its
height, had wanted dwelling house f.
rected in BufIalo-had heard of Ralh-
buns qualifications, bu! at the same time
had been told by half n dozen men that he
committed forgery when he occasionally
got into strait, and | had written to some
eminent Doctor of Divinity lat or near
Buffalo, in whom Thought could con.
6dc, aud had received for answer that the
charges were false, might have employ
ed Mr. Rathbuu but would that prove
that | was wse2 or that the pious Doctor
told the truth? Not at all, and Esq. Co.
nant will moi pretend it. Why then will he
contend that Mr. Bascom's testimony that
Mr. Clay has not perpelraled certain acts,
when perhaps thousand miles from
him, shall outweigh abundant testimony
from others that he has committed them
There was just as much chance for Presi-
dent Green of Whitesboro 10 know two
years ago that Mr. Rathbun had never
forged Note. as there was Two months
ago for President Bascom 10 know that
Henry Clay had not practced gambling
and profanity for twenty years. Deacon
Conant loves Mr. Clay about as well as
Jonathan did David. or as a Mother DOES
her child, and seems rs slow 10 believe
any well attested report against Mr. Clay's
purity, as some women are to believe
child of theirs has been gully of lying or
theft while away from their sight and
hearing The enquiry is raised whether
l would call Mr. OIin's testimony mega
tice? answer, if I charge the commis>