Litchfield enquirer., 1844-07-18
SENTIMENTS OF A PATRIOT.

The Hon. Charles Burchard, of Madison county,
New-York, gentleman of the strictest integrity
and unsullied Christian character, WHO has acted
heretofore with the Liberty Party, has avowed his
intention to vote for Henry Clay for the Presidency,
for the set forth in the following letter to
the Editors of the Hamilton Palladium. The letter
is worthy of attentive perusal.
HAMILTON, June 2Sth, 1874
MessrS. Misunderstanding, after mature reflection,
arrived at the conclusion that it is my duty to cast
my vote for Henry Clay at the next Presidential e.
lection, deem it due to the friends with whom
have acted in the Liberty Party, and who have
been pleased to honor me Wgn public mark of
have brought me to this conclusion. 1t isunneces-
sary to premise that the contest lies wholly be-
tween Mr. Clay and Mr.. Polk. None are so SAN
guine as to expect that Mr. Birney will carry sim
gle state, or even that he concentrate the pres
ent strength of the Liberty party. Henry clay
or James X Polk will be the next President ofthese
United States This is morally certain.
What then is the great issue to be decided by the
contest. To my mind it is clearly and individually
this: Whether Texas she is, with her slavery
and her debts, is to be Immediately annexed to this
Union, or not? In other words whether slavery in
this country is to be placed, humanity speaking,
hopelessy beyond the reach of anti-slavery efforts,
and forever and indefinitely perpetuated, or to be
left as it is, exposed to the opposing influences
which are actively and powerfully at work
in Fastening its overthrow. say, this to my mind
is the great ISSUE There other influences which
in themselves important to the best interests OF
the country, viz Whether the Tariff or ant-Iarff
policy is to prevail-whether we are to have a
sound and uniform, an uncertain and huctuatlng
currency, SC. but they all in my humble opinion
| sink into inslgnifcance compared with the Texas
| question.
That I do not mistake nor overrate the issue, |
am convinced from serious consideration of the
declared opinions of the opposing candidate, and
the special reason of Mr. Folks nomination. Mr.
Polk has declarrc himself uneqnivocally and un-
| constitutonally for immediate annexation He is
understood to have cordially approved of the Tyler
and Calhoun Treaty, the disgrace of our country
and the scorn of the world. No one who has con-
sdered the history of the proceedings OF the Demo-
cratic nominating convention, can for moment
doubt that its decision turned upon the very ques-
ton of immediate annexation No man OF that
| party will deny this. The Southern Democrats
| made this test question. They were resolved to
have no man who did not 60 for immediate annex
| alton Mr.. Van Ruren's adverse letter 1.-THE best
and ablest document which ever came from his pen)
| sealed his doom.
The Northern Democrats strangely yielded, and
Welded on this very ground. 1t is asserted and not
denied, that they held a consultation as to their &C
| uescence in Folks nomination, and in view of an
anticipated popularity of the annexation scheme
| which might carry him in, notwithstanding the
| contemplate feebleness of bis personal claims
they sacrificed their veteran and cherished iavorle
upon the altar of Texas, war and perpetual slavery
| Mr. Polk is the candidate emphatically of the I'M
mediate and unconditional annexationists and II
elected by the people of these United States, ne
would regard the result an endorsement OF his
avowed opinion on this subject, and one Of the first
| acts of his Administration would be determined
| movement to consummate this most ne'aTous
scheme, which would inevitably involve us in 2
war with Mexico, and perhaps with England, anc
place. as have already said, the institution OF sla
very in position to defy the efforts OF its enc
mics to overthrow it for generations to come.
| What now is the position of Henry Clay on Thu
Question, His noble and statesInan-like lette
leaves us in no doubt That letter, however it ma.
have been received in the South is regarded as EN-
firely satisfactory to the North The strongest alb
oltionists can find no fault with is. confess, my
friends, when read that letter, so decided, clear
able and satisfactory breathing such spirit Of loft
and disinterested patriotism, generously and impair
tially regarding the best interests Of every section
of our country must say considered it mantle
large enough to cover a multitude OF sins.
II Whatever faults belong to Henry Clay, open
, hearted Honesty has not been denied him by hi
h;tterest enemies, who knew him or had any homes
Nv themselves | do not therefore have any fear
Of Mr. CLAY ON the Texas question. The noble sen
timents of his letter will govern him in this matter
and the viIainous scheme Of the advocates OF pei
petual slavery, and swndling spectators and Ian
script owners to hang around the neck Of this ma
ton. the slave holding insolvent Botany Bay Of tn
American Continent, can find no favor while
stands at the helm Of this Government. Here theT
e | repeat is the issue before the American people
r Polk, Texas, War and perpetual slavery, or Henr