The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1841-11-30
Scattering and blanks,


The point to which we would direct the at.
tention of abolitionists is the number Of vote,
for Hutchinson, in the Legisiaturc-only nine
We do not know the number Of abolitionists i'm
the Legislature of Vermont in years past, but
Judging from their acts we should conclude
there must have been majority in the last AS
sembly. None but abotionists could pass such
law as that body did to prevent blacks from
being taken into bondage under the claim of
owing service. The resolutions Of former
years, too, show that for all practical purposes
the Legislature of that State was sufficiently
abolitionized This is what the society has
been aiming at for years. They tell us, abo-
lltioniZe the Legislatures of the free Statesand
Congress, and slavery must soon die. In Yer
mont and Massachusetts this had been pretty
efectuay done, without the organization of 1.
distinct political party. But this did not sat-
isfy some of our leading abolirionists, because
it was not done in the name Of Abolition. They
must have new party. that whatever is done
TO advance the principles of liberty might go
TO The credit Of abolition. They got up their
party and now where are theyl From rcor-
king majority in a body of 255, they are redu-
ced to nine members. Here are the first fruits
of third partyism. When the result of the c.
lection in our own State shall be fully known,
we believe it will be found that there is some
less of abolition strength in our Legislature in
consequence of the same policy.
In the face of all that has been done for the
cause Of liberty by New York and nearly all Cf
the New England States it is contended by
third party men that nothing has been done, or
can be done, unless it be done exclusively in
the name and to the credit of the abolition
movement, and 10 this doctrine, virtually, they
require their candidates to subscribe. No mat
ter how thoroughly man may be imbued with
the love of liberty-no matter though he agree
with thom in every question that may require
his official action--unIess he will accept their
nomination OH the single question of slavery,
he cannot receive their suffrages. On this
principle they now propose to nominate can
d;date for Governor of Ohio. In their haste To
gain glory for their party they sacrifice the
interest of their cause. There is an odum
attached to the name Of abolition which does
not attach to their principles, apart from the
name. Hence persons who are not identified
with them IN name, may, and do often, in their
official capacity, do much for the cause. They
are actuated by love of liberty and Justice
And is it not more to the credit. of liberty and
justice that men observe their precepts with
out the influence of party machinery than 10
do so because their party requires it Tho
first do willing homage to truth-they render
a free-will offering. The last may act from
the same motive, but their party obligations
detract from the merit Of the act and from the
credit it would otherwise confer upon the cause,
because it is expected as the service to be per-
formed in consideration of the honor conferred
by the party.
The American and Foreign Anti.Slavery