Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-01-13
Public SentimentmF Exceptions.

While the cry of popularity is exerting its influence
upon men and press, and is the dominant principle of
action almost universally through our country, we
rejoice that there are a few exceptions, and that there
are men in our land who choose to be men indeed,
whose words are melted neither by party favor, caucus
rules, or the political landmarks of any faction. One
of the most independent of this class is the Cleveland
True Democrat, a wing journal, and edited by Hon. E.
s. Hamlin, formerly representative to Congress from
Ohio.
In reference to that master humbug of the day, the
effort OF Henry Clay at Lexington which is heralded
through the length and breadth of the land as though
1t were to preface the opening of a glorious day Of
Peace and universal Freedom to the American people,
and which the people are taught to receive as signaliz,
ing the dawn of Mlllenial day upon a land hetherto to-
leratng the most attrocious wrongs, it says;
wv hen we saw the resolutions of Mr. CLAW, we were
satlslled' Hope then died within us. When we read
the notice that he was to make a speech, we induced
some expectation, faint it is true, and foolish we snp.
pose, arising from our former tolls and lubors and sa-
crifces in his behalf, that he would put forth senti-
ments demanded by the crisis of the times-that he
would proclaim that Congress has no powert to establish
slavery IN free terrltury-that slavery is an evil, and
'''ut ooule pan SHOULD pc immediately adopted Tor Its
removal that, satisfied of the injustice of its longer
continuance, and charged in heart as he had been by
a conservation Of himself to righteousness, he would
now give freedom to his slaves as one of the first fruits
OF repentance. On the subject of slavery he is where
he was IN 80, deep in a morass, and surrounded on all
sides by darkness. The "Star il the West" which
I'LL 1t came to this, shone brightly and cast out rays full
OF brIlIlancy and hope, now became dim, and is destin
ed to set in clouds and darkness. The glory of eman-
ciPation is not for Mr. Clay; it is reserved for another
In his last days he has been weighed in the balance
and found wanting"
This is but a just expression of the indignant feel
ing which this sham of q pretence to antislavery pro-
tession is calculated to awaken in the mind which has
the independence to consider for itself and what a
pity that the northern press generally, instead of being
intoxicated with this mock profession of a southern
man to the principles of universal equality, and all like
endeavors to delude and gull the north, would not, as
true and taltlul watches set upon the political walls of
our country, speak with trumpet voice and apprize the
people OF those destructive elements which are hidden
beneath the honied words of the naughty southern po-
Iltlcian! Oh the stupefaction, the besottedness, and
the dreaming inlatuation of northern men who sit with
Gaping mouths and eat the words of southern aspi-
rants, which though they may be sweet to the taste,
nevertheless contain ingredients poisonous and destruc-
tive When, we ask shall this prescription of senti-
Inent, this "~servility to a faction" cease? 1t will cease
when the people declare it shall, and never before. H.