Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-05-14

49,.
in the sky.
TClay's True American.
The following is a continuation of the article we
published two weeks since, in answer to certain charges
made against the Liberty party, by the Messenger, and
other whig papers.
From the 81. .Abdn8 Messenger.
AS | have already intimated, there is no doubt
in my mind, that ifthc wings had taken a straight
they would have elected Henry Clay by a hand
some majority. But while they were counting
antl-Texas men at the North with one set Of
arguments, and pro-slavery men at the South
with another set; and thus obliging Henry Clay
to write Janus-faced letters which might be read
pro at one end of the Union, and con at the
other;-the Locos went straight forward in defy
ing the abolitionists, and honestly owning them
selves the natural allies of slavery; and in this
way, contrary | believe to their most sanguine
expectations, elected James X. Polk. And to
borrow and retort some Of Your editorial remarks
I'VE have no doubt that the leaders Of the
Uhig party would confess the same should they
speak out the honest conviction of their hearts
we mean such as have intelligence enough to
see the effects of a given cause
But, Mr.. Editor, admit for the sake of argu-
ment, that the liberty party elected Polk; what
evidence is there that if Clay had been elected,
Texas would not have been admitted to the I'm
ion during his administration?
Henry Clay has never, to my knowledge, eX-
pressed himself as opposed to annexation when
certain difficulties or OBJ j%ections are removed
He says, Il am decidedly opposed to the immc.
diate annexation OF Texas and gives his reasons,
In another place he says, Il have however no
hesitation in saying that-far from having any
personal objections to the annexation of Texas,
| should be glad to see it-without ~dishonor,
without war, with the common consent of the
Union, and upon Just and fair terms. | do not
think the subject of slavery ought to affect the
question-onc way or the other. Whether Tex
as is independent or incorporate in the United
States, | do not believe 1t would prolong or
shorten the duration of that institution (Nei-
ther do Mr.. Editor. Lam happy to agree with
Henry Clay in the last remark) 1T would be
uRwiSc to refuse a permanent acquisition (Tex-
as) which will exist as long as the globe remains,
on account of "a Temporary institution Il. e, sla-
very In the contingency of my election, to
which you have adverted, if the affair of acqui-
ring Texas should become a subject of consid-
Grafton, I should be governed by the state of
fact and the state of public opinion exist
ing at the time | might be called upon to
act
Now, sir, in view of these and similar state
ments, is it not an honest and fair supposition
that Henry Clay would have taken all the pains
he could, and successfully too, to remove the
objections which he speaks of, and bring about
what he should be glad to seer Has subse-
quent events proved these objections insurmount-
able! Has there been any movement among
those who we're loudest in their threats and
prophecies of dissolution to bring it about? Is
not acquiescence the order of the day; and is not
the whole nation settled Town in this spir-
it?
What has become of the war with Mexico,
or what is to become of it? Have we not al
ready had indications that she is disposed to
settle the matter peaceably! And could not
Henry Clay have accomplished as much by d.
%plomacy or intrigue as james X. Polk?
Have not the leading wing papers of the
North decried all opposition to the measure in
the present Congress, on the ground that the
faith of the nation was pledged by the action Of
John Tyler's last Congress? Andwere not the
members of that Congress chosen before Folks
election? Was itnot a wing Senate which pas
sed the resolutions which led to annexation or
virtually accomplished it, by empowering John
Tyler to act in the %premises2 Will you contend
that this action of the Senate was based upon
The fact that the election of ]. X. Polk had pro-
we'd that the nation was in favor of annexationl