The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-01-30

of SLA V Elk overcome the scruples
of his younger and better days crucif-
ed his humanity, aud renowned his al
legiance to republicanism and Christian
ity,-is unworthy Of the suffrages Of
people prolessedly governed by the prin-
ciples of the gospel of Him who came
to preach deliverance to the captive land
the opening of the prisop to them that are
bound. This duty, which he himself
imposed upon US, we have fearlessly and
faithfully performed - in common with
many others Of his early admirers and
friends men who have watched, with a
Chaldean's love, the star of his great
ness, while it rose apparently to glo-
rious elimination Lustreless and wan
ing in its unblessed conjunction with
the evil and malignant influences of slave
ry, we have been compelled to turn from
it ourselves, and warn others to do likes
wise.
As the prize of the Presidency, for
which we must needs believe Henry
Clay has been induced TO take his un
fortunate position on the slavery ques-
ton, is now out Of the question, may
we not hope that in the retirement of
Ashland he will candidly and honestly
review this whole subject, unbiased by
the influences which have heretofore
surrounded him The frost Of aye is
upon him, but we would fam hope that
it has not wholly chilled the generous
faith in human progress, the warm sympa-
thy with the oppressed the ardent desire
for the prevalence of liberal and benevo-
lent principles which characterized his
earliest public efforts. In this Silence
and cool oil day when the utter vanity
of popular applause is made manifest
when his hand is weak and his eye dim,
when he is walking in the shadow of
the grave is it possible that he can find
satisfaction in the consciousness that he
is lending his still powerful influence to
the perpetuation Of the great curse of
his beloved Kentucky that the waning
energies of his life are devoted to the
work of engrattiny upon the goodly tree
of Democracy, whose leaves are for the
healing the nations, the poison buds
of slavery? We cannot believe it. In
the deep silence of his heart, he does
homage to the truth. He loalhes the
work which his hands are doing. Voices
from the graves Of his old political friends
reproach him. He feels that he is gath
ering thorns for his last pillow, and SOW
ing with nettles the turf which is TO cover
him.
Let him repent ofthe evil he has done
to the holy cause of Liberty. Let him
bring forth fruits meet for repentance,
by the emanci patton of his own slaves,
and by uniting his exertions with those
of Cassus M. Clay to abolish slavery
in Kentucky. Let his eloquent voice be
heard in behalf of universal freedom.-
God and the good angels will bless him
in such a cause. His last days shall be
beautiful and glorious. Honors brighter
and more permanent than those OF a
slaveholdlng Chief Magistrate will clus-
ter about him; and above all, in the hour
which is approaching, when the memory
Of a good deed will be worth more than
worlds homage, he will have reason to
bless the Christening rod of Providence,
which, in rebuking his political aspira-
tons, enabled him to consecrate his life
and talen IS to the well being of his fel
low men.