The Liberator

The Response of Whig Abolitionists.

We 'believe, with Garrison,' that the abolitionist who has not become aware that Freedom is the first thing, and whigism and locofocoism the secondary thing, is by no means entitled to the name he calls himself by. We 'believe, with Garrison,' that it is of very little consequence to the cause of Freedom, whether Marcus Morton or John Davis be Governor, or B. F. Hallett or James T. Austin State Attorney. We 'believe, with Garrison,' that if the men who call themselves abolitionists had self-government enough to withhold their votes from pro-slavery and dough-faced candidates, the parties would put up anti-slavery and true-hearted candidates, in less time than it would take to print a third ticket. We believe, with Garrison, that if, by a miracle, all the offices of the United States were this year filled with abolitionists, they would have nothing to do but resign; for the work of reforming the people would still remain undone, and the slaves consequently must still remain in bondage. We believe, with Garrison,' that though the withholding or the scattering of a vote should disconcert every election in the land for ten years; nay, though the withholding or scattering of a vote should place Henry Clay in the Presidential chair, and Marcus Morton in the Gubernatorial, the harm done the cause would be as nothing, in comparison with the evil that vote influence would have as a sanction of immorality, if given for a pro-slavery man, or the apologist of such a one. We believe, with Garrison,' that the power behind the throne is greater than the power upon the throne, and from year to year we mean to spend our strength in converting the world, and not in vain struggles to govern it, knowing that in proportion as it is converted, it will know how to govern itself.—M. W. C.