Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-08-10
From The VOice Of Freedom, Aug. 1.
THIRD PARTY QUESTION


Whilst some of our friends who favor the pro-
ject Of an independent political party are ready to
chide us for our backwardness in falling in with
their views our liberay in giving publicity to
some of the most plausible arguments on that
side OF the question, has transformed us, in the
estimation Of others, into nh out-and.out third
party man. Others still, who have partiZan ends
to serve, have placed us in wliitever position
the supposed interests of their cause might requires
and the more reckless have descended to the pitt
ful business of downright misrepresentation. Our
humble experience in the past has taught us how
vain II is TO hope Tor entire exemption from such
evils especially in the heat of party contest
unless one can fully make up his mind to be a
political recluse, ensconsed from public view, and
practising the most rigid neutrality on sublunary
affairs.
Those who will take the trouble to review the
editorial remurks of the Voice, will find that we
have from the first been ranged with those, who,
though willing TO entertain unettered discussion
upon this coniessedy important question, are not
satisfied that the interests of humanity would he
advanced by third party organization. Some
considerations which have tended to fortly us in
this position will he here sated
|. The history of all political parties in this
country forewarns us of the certainty that any
party the moment it becomes sufficiently niiner-
Gus 10 hold out the temptations OF Office, will
draw around its standard mercenary swarm OF
uspirants, whose influence and companionship is
never to be coveted IN n work of reform n work,
he it ever remembered, depending more for lis
success upon the power of truth than upon an
array OF numbers, however imposing. Remember
the nrmy of Gideon.
2. The great aud snlutary progress which, UNI
der Providence, has already been nade in the
diffusion OF an-sMvery sentiment, has been made
without any such organization as is now urged
The abolitionsts OF New York, Vermont and
Massachusetts have successfully appended to the
a..Ft l,at.
resolutions of decidedly anti slavery charat ter.
These responses for liberty have been given, not
simply IN obedience TO the demands of party,
nlarsalled before them in aggressive attitude, but
in Difference to principles self evidently right, aud
commended for by class of men whose negative
influence at the ballot box it was not safe TO dies.
pise. DO any suppose that the important Slate
testimony now on record against slavery could
have been obtained Mt the call of political parti-
Zals, as such, clnmoring at The doors OF our state
capols !? A line of policy whose benefits have
been tested by actual experience, is safer than an
untrodden path, which, though smooth at the
entrance, is possibly beset with snares and slime
3. 1t will be found difficult if not impossible to
prosecute any work oil reform by associated effort
unless the individuals associated will, upon ques-
tons of expedicncy, such modes and forms OF
action consent to torego personal predictions SC
far ms to abide by the judgment OF the body. AS
II question OF TACT, IN reference to the expectancy
OF II third political party we set il down rs indis
putabe, that large majority OF the aboitionis
are on the negative side. Indeed so well il
this UNDERSTOOD that since the Albany convention
OF August last, no considerable meeting in con
nection with the third party has been held, with
ont virtual exclusion in the terms of the call, O
all persons uniavorable to the scheme.
4. The grand object Of the anti slavery enter
prise is to be attained, not by a successful contes
at the ballot box as the principal means, but b.
"the looishncss of preaching" anti slavery princi
Piles to countrymen, as MEN, followed up b.
consistent anti answering course Of action, no
excepting total abstinence from pro slavery voting
1t will often happen in the progress of n reform
that negative influence is far more effective thai
aggressive measures To our view the prescn
| posture of the aboitouists suggests plain cast
for the application of this principle The promis
cuOus discharge of musketry from few well
! meaning soldiers in our line would raise smoke
| and perhaps wound CROUCH to exasperae lh
whole opposing line. In tie present state of tn
anti slavery army we can hope for little MORE
We have heard the war blast but to our hearing
the trumpet gives an uncertuin sound"
5. Though we regard the abolition of SLAYER
as the paramount interest Of this nation -towerin
in importance suhlimey above all questions @
finance or state policy question of nculcuabl
| pecuniary interest TO the free states-yet it is pr
marily question OF simple justice The peOpl
! oil the United States are too far gone in the
| degeneracy properly 10 estimate such question
| when placed in competition with one of polio,
| 1t is preeminently religious question, and non
| the less so, because environed by political lav
The highest responsibility in connection with tn
abolition of American Slavery must rest upon til
| church aud the ministry. These are lis mai
props. The ballot box primary agent ,
reform will never accomplish the end till truth h;
wrought its work upon the conscience. Then ii
l ballot box will speak with earthquake voic
- ID wi
unknown companions al the polls. Tho recu
renee of presidential campaign will not be Il
signal for putting out the lights Of The church. ri
derious song Of the street politician will be e
changed for The song OF the free.
6 We remark, lastly, that some persons wi
are now most clamorOus for a third political pa
~, and who are wonderfully alive to the consi
tency Of abolilionists are of that class of polite
hucksters who are constructed on the soii
principle political Jannses, who like the Glow
III the play, carry all parts Of farce at one M
the same tinie prominent actor of this stan
was heard to wind up street dialogue this wee
wiih--"bnt IShdH go for Mdtiy % Others who
sympathy for tie slave has heretofore been mar
iiested by long drawn sneers OF cold contempt 4
, aloOnlsts, aIe ready to say in the language
Jonb to Aniasa, Art thou in-he.ith, my brother
= We might safely add that their tender regard {
the cause is too well illustrated in the sequel
the scene: And Joab took Amasa by the bear
with his right hand 10 kiss him. But AnIasa too
no heed TO the sword in Joal's left hand, so
snoe him in the fifth rib" We coniess TINT {
|, one, we have no ambition TO contract allure
with such men. We don't like "lhat white he'
yonder." Such men are masked moral vampire
who will one day volunteer their MD to steady Il
ark Of liberty, and the offer tho slaves bio,
in sacrifice on The altar of a pro slavery part
Though we speak thus of some who, by III,
forwardness, have done much TO bring The thi
,, party movements under suspicion and conlen
= we yield 10 none in our readiness 10 honor I
motives of those, who in obedience 10 conscenC
feel themselves impcIed to the measure, MS rig
ia ITSELF and hest adapted to hasten the deye
nnce of the slave.