The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-03-28

Do the Wings contend for the Abolition
of Slavery:
Are their principles identical with those
of Washington and jefferson
To John Conant, Esq.
Sr:-ln the name, and in behalf of
the cause of Freedom can not but feel
grateful both for your real and implied
admissions contained in the last Voice.
You admit that Henry Clay is slavehold-
er, opposed to immediate emancipation, and
Colonzationist. You admit the dark
spots,' and that he has "dark side" to
his character. You 90 not deny that he is
everything on the subject of slavery that /
have heretofore proved him 10 be. You do
not deny that MIR. Clay has proclaimed in
the most public and solemn manner - as it
were on the house tops that slavery is
sanctifed institution, and that neither the
Wing or Democratic parties, so called, has
any designs, or aims at its abolition, You
do not deny that the Wing Congress of
1911 utterly refused to receive or listen to
the prayers of the people, and in utter VIC
laton of the Constitution denied the sacred
right of Petition. You do not deny the
formation OF Wing pro slavery Cabinet
by VIM II. Harrison in March of the same
year. Neither do you deny that nearly the
whole body of the Wing aud Democratic
members of the House, including the Rep
resentatves from Vermont, on the 26;h Of
Feb. last, proved recreant to the cause of
humanity, either in voting for that slavish
Baltimore resolution, or else IN lodging
the question.
May not hope, in view of these admis-
sions, that you are 'almoSt,' if not quite,
persuaded to give up the folly Of any
longer supposing you can aid the cause of
emancipation by voting for shareholders ?
May not hope that you have yet some
little sympathy remaining for the poor, de-
spised and helpless millions of your fellow
beings and brethren in bonds?
Think you if your wife, children or friends
| were in bondage-were the slaves of Henry
Clay, John Tyler Or John c. Calhoun
that these your relatives would believe you
consistent, or hold you guiAleSS in voting
their task masters into the highest offices Of
the nation? NlvER. Even while at the
very moment you was raising your hand 10
deposit your ballot for these men, they
would not only refuse your earnest entrea-
ties TO release your family,-but would
return YOU for answer that the right by
which they held those dearest to you in
hopeless slavery, was sANcTIFIED.! They
a1onld eren Sco,7 your petition, and turn
q deaf ear to your prayer for their relief.
Nay, more - could you, but for moment,
make the case of some one OF the enslaved
millions your own, you would be at once
convinced of your present error. And should
they, for that purpose, be permitted TO adj
dress you, they might, perhaps, in the full
ness of their affection, consistently pray as
did the Apostle: f." Would 10 God that not
only thou" (but all others acting with you,)
"arere almost, and altogether SUcn as Ue
are, EXCEPT THESE IN BONDS"
1t will be seen that have not, as you
have alleged, 'forsaken my old battery but
YOU will understand that so often as the
opponents of liberty shift their ground, and
devise new modes of attack and defense,
Just so often intend, if necessary, TO erect
sneu bdtteries.' And am determined that
no efforts of mine, however feeble, shall be
wanting so long as life and strength remain
to make these batteries effectual to the pull.
ing down and demolishing the strong holds
of slavery. 1t was yourself, therefore, and
not me, that added 10 the issue, made by
your State Committee, by introducing in
your first article the subject of the Declare
ton of independence and "the sages OF
( '76," of whom Jefferson was one. |, OF
course, added his name TO that of Wash
ington in my caption 1t was also in ref
erence 10 your allusion about The sages OF