The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-11-06

s,apo-t Of slavery" kave often stated this
q. the Interior design OF our Liberty men, so
T.; as political effect was concerned. II |
l,:s mistaken their views, hope the error
vi be corrected, and that the public may he
.i-'iuitely informed of the extent of their
r-.!' ical objects. am aware that they de-
S;:u TO call up public attention to the wrong.
- the crime Of slavery; and TO array the
tIIcii feelings of mankind against IL That
+. :; ght and proper, and have ever felt II my
da.v, wh.ther in public or in private life, to
Il my moral Influence against slavery every
WIRE. My political efforts are controlled by
o. constitutional compact. As the federal
Government possesses no power over 1t, we
III. exert no political power against II. Our
Political efforts, therefore, in regard TO slave
~, may extend TO the repeal Of all acts OF
congress in favor Of that institution, and TO
t,tai separation of the federal government
1.! the people of the free States f:om It's
support. To this point we are limited. We
GA go no further by our political action.
To his extent Mr.. Clay is with US. So far
IA our political power extends, he agrees
with Us; and shall we oppose his election,and
prefer the perpetuity of slavery, for The reas-
GA that he differs from us upon the moral
81!
1.-THE object Of our Liberty friends be to or
saaize and continue distinct political party,
il will of course be perfectly consistent for
Them to separate from those who are striving
- prevent the annexation Of Texas, and the
pcrpetuty OF slavery. But this feel assured
- not the purpose of the great mass Of those
Mo have heretofore voted for Mr.. Birney.-
, h. nj
rnanity, and | am confident will put forth
th.ir efforts in opposition 10 policy which
raast prove fatal to the liberty of ourselves,
ID. well as the hopes Of the slaves. All admit
II 10 be their duty to exert their political infu-
.nce TO support the constitution and rights of
mankind. 1t is equally clear that it is the
duty Of those who desire 10 effect that object,
u unite their energies; for without union no
possible good eau result from our labors. But
tho difficulty is for us to unite our energies in
Ia such manner as to prevent the consum-
nation OF those designs. Party attachments
will lead MANY Of our Democratic friends to
vote for Polk and eternal slavery" rather
than see their party defeated. Yet many of that
par will not vote. and Others will vote for
Mr. Clay. So also with our liberty friends;
have no doubt that party attachments may
influence some ofthem TO adhere TO their par
" organization, while am confident that many
of that party will permit no such partisan
bias TO come in conflict with their duty. Yet
some of our liberty men say that Mr.. Birney
ami their party are opposed to the annexation
of Texas and the perpetuity of slavery, and if
they vote for him they will discharge their
duty as well by voting for Mr.. Clay. reply,
that it is our duty TO unite. They say, then
let us unite on Mr.. Birney reply, that when
the great majority who seek common object
shall unite upon the means Of effecting it, the
minority are in duty bound TO unite with them.
or the great majority of our people opposed
TO the annexation of Texas and the perpetui-
Is of slavery, probably ninety-ive out ofevery
hundred have united on Mr.. Clay as the agent
10 carry ont their opposition TO these meas
ures. The other FIVE Of each hundred are
opposed TO him, and believe that Mr.. Birney
you'd do better than Mr.. Clay. Now the
IN, ninety-five are equally as intelligent
al the five, and will any man urge that it is
the duty of the ninety-fve to surrender their
judgments and preferences TO the FIVE; or
that il is not the obvious duty Of the five TO
surrender their opinions, and unite with their
friendsl | think there can be but one answer
10 the qeestion. was myself no advocate
for the nomination of Mr.. Clay. have at
no time hesitated to declare my inability to
support any man for President, who should
deny the constitutional doctrines | have so
long labored TO bring into exercise. Solemn
~ sworn to support the federal Constitution,
ieould not support any man who denies its
most obvious doctrines. Mr.. Clay maintains
;hose doctrines. The opposite party are
seeking TO subvert them. As friend to the
slave, as supporter of our own liberties, as
IN American citizen, devoted to our Consli |,
lutiau, feel constrained by every obligation !
resting upon me, both moral and political, to
uni-e my efforts with those who are opposing |
Ihe Annexation of Texas. the extension and !
p.fpstuity Of slavery, and the subversion of
federal Constitution.
With great respect, your ob't serv't.
J. R. GIDDINGS.
Hessrs. G. Keen, Isaac Braytun. Samuel |
Foljam5c, Thomas Earl. George f. Conant. |