The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-11-13

the North to come and aid the cause yet
as often did | refuse. Ihad great work
TO perform and did not wish 10 place my
opponents on the vantage ground. For
we'll did know that whatever honors
might receive at the North would be con.
srued by the enemies OF emancipation in
Kentucky into an alliance with aboi
tionsm.
When at last however, serious appre-
tensions began to be entertained thatTexas
would come into the Union with It's une.
quail representation. slavery, and national
dishonor; Ifelt it my duty TO 60 and
give aid TO the cause Of my country in
whatever field Of battle she called me.
went by The advice of one of the central
committee for the Wings of Kentucky
by special invitation from about fifty
Wing clubs of the Norlh--by the request
before and after my departure offour nun
dred and sixteen committee men, repre-
senting clubs, counties and conventions
by the irresistible persuasion of fifty pa>
riotic Wing women OF Ohio-and last of
all by the lacit approval of the leader of
the Wing party. Henry Clay. The day
before l left Lexington, called upon Mr..
Clay and told him the purpose Of my mis-
sion; that it was thought by our friends
that could have an influence, from my
peculiar position, over the anlislavery, anti
Texas voters OF the free States, which no
other man could and that was willing
to go if could aid the Wing cause. Mr..
Clay said nothing, but nodded his head.
with on approving smile; and after some
unimportant conversation he offered me
letters of introduction, which declined as
unnecessary. Whether | accomplished
any good there or not remains for others
10 cay. 1! is enough for me to know, if l
were vain enough to assume to myself
the consideration which belongs 10 the vital
interests which were at stake in the can.
vass, tina, never did any man Of my age In
America draw together so large aud in.
lenseIy interesting audiences. The great.
est intellect Of the nation, the greatest or
a!ors Of any age, said 70 me, "They had
rather hear you than me-" The most
large souled, uncompromising man in the
Union was pleased to compliment me
1--WE regard you as one of the pillars Of
the great temp le Of American liberty" |
mention these things not with the silly
vanity Of self.eIaion,--I knew them I'M
deserved and the overflow of hearts touch
ed with sympathy for man who had suf-
tered prescription ia the cause OF justice
and tru.h--for man Of proper feeling is
less wounded by censure than unmerited
compliment, and loves more to deserve
praise than 10 receive it--bui because
much enmity and denuncaion have been
poured upon me here, charging me with
being the cause Of Mr.. CIay's defeat, by
my visit to the North, and by forcing him
into the Gazette letter
"The Speed Ietter-aye, the speed let
terp Well, then. if the whole truth
must De told, tho Wings Of New York
are solely responsible for the effect of that
letter ifany it had they published it t0itb>
out my Gdviee and in opposition TO my
consent. The letter on lis face shows
itself 10 be confidential and not intended for
the public eye, have by me, Mr..
Speeds letter, apologzing for he action of
his friends in publishing it in his absence
and without his consent, because of the
eminent service i! was thought it would
render the cause. AS soon as Mr.. Clay's
letter 10 the Kentucky Gazette was re.
ceived by me, Immediately sat down to
table and wrote 10 him thai was griev.
ed if had misunderstood his sentiments,
drawn as my opinion was from his whole
history and repeated written declarations
that if he was not favorable 10 emanci-
patton regretted it on my account-on
his account-and on account Of our COM
mon country. That l was deyoting my
self unweariedly and honestly to the suc>
cess Of that party whose triumph was TO
result in his elevatlon-but if he con-
cieved me doing any injury TO the cause
that | would not again open my mouth 10
the canvass. His answer was that, stolen
from Horace Greedy, and published with
out my ever having seen it, by the De-
mocracy of New York. During my
whole visit North, although [ was cor
daily received by The anti-Slavery men OF
all parties 81 addressed but Two abolition
meetings: and then it was 10 defend the
proposition of Fl. Clay and the slavehoId-
ers, that "That is property which the law
makes property" Every where among
Aboiiionisls l made some enemies by de-
Tending this dogma, which now by the
disregard ofall law, avowed on The 18Th,
is of no more effect, but null and void. |
Every where, among Aboltionists espe-
cialIy, did make enemies by defending
Henry Clay. How then dare Henry
Clay's son and Kentucky Wings sit in
solemn conclave and vote me to be "the
organ and agent ofan incendary sect'2--
And under this pre.ext 10 rob me OF nv
property, and threaten me with murder
To my brother Wings throughout the
Union appeal from this ungratefuI and
eaIumnious accusation
The second charge holding me respon-