Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-08-30
MONTPELIER, VERMONT, FRIDAY AUGUST 80, 1914.

ana .'WnOSO readeth cannot Iall 10 unuersIanu.'
TO illustrate, further, we will suppose that one
man advocates (what he supposes to be) the right
side of twenty ideas, which he dignifies with the
name of principles" Another man entertains
one leading idea, which is as comprehensive as
human language, and encircles the globe with its
magic infuence-that is, the entire equality of
human rights. We discover some faint glimpses
of this idea, or principle, in the civil policy and
forms of government adopted by Greece and Rome
in the revolutions of France-in the political
reforms and reduction of arstocratic power eff
fected by the people of England, from magma
charta to the present time-an@, ino"e especially
in the present peaceful, moral and mighty strug-
gle of the noble sons of oppressed Ireland for Il
representative government, wherein the people
shall be taxed and governed by their own consent
only Crowned heads tremble-despotic power is
crumbling-the divine right of kings to govern is
exploded; while thrones and kingdoms totter to
their fall by reason of the universal prevalence of
this blessed principle. 1t is the democratic princi-
ple-the right of the people to govern themselves,
recognizing the broad platform that they are all
created equal. The only true Democracy is that
in which the people rule, and where consent pre-
cedes the right to govern.
1t is worse than idle to talk about the variety of
ideas or measures a particular man or party may
entertain until the great question is settled, wheth-
er the government shall be administered for the
benefit of all the governed, or only a part-wheth-
err the object of government shall be to promote
the greatest good of the 1OhoIe number, or the ag
grandsement of merely few-whether, in fact
the government shall be Democratic, or Aristo-
cratic. What becomes of the twenty ideas alluded
to, if they are not equal to this one this one be
neglected? What are the seven ideas-the five
oaves and two fishes of office, for which rival pol
ticans and their parizans contend, when compa-
red with this?
What is a bank, sub treasury, tariff, or dis
tribution when compared with the imnutable,
eternal principle of human rights? What are a
few pounds of WOOL of cotton Of tobacco-a few
yards of cloth-or few cents additional price on
either of those articles, when compared with the
rights of millions of our fellow beings, with i'm
mortal souls? Can that party, or that government
be called Democratic, which enables the strong to
Cypress the weak, the few TO control the many
and which compes the large mass of the people
to severe, ncessant labor, to support the remain
der in luxury, idleness and tyranny?
Grant all the importance claimed for these pc.
cunniary measures, which some term principles
is there not safe guaranty that the Liberty party
sustaining, as it does the interests and rights OF
the 1Vhoe people, instead of part, would also see
that the industrial and economical interests of thai
people were properly attended to? Would moi
that party, acting on the democratic principle Of
regarding equally the rights of the whole, he more
likely to attend to the acefare of the whole, than
party regarding only the rights and interests Of q
part? The simple statement of this question mus
| think, to candid minds, be sufficient to produce
conviction.
1t can scarcely be necessary to add that the
charge, sometimes made, that the Liberty party
have only one idea, is so obviously intended as a
SANDER by those making it, and so evidently false
and preposterous in itself, that time would be was
ted in its refutaton. They have, it is true, lea
ding idea which has been the subject of this let
ter 1t is not only leading idea, but it is para
mount in importance to all the ideas of selfish
pro-slavery party; yet that idea, when carried on
in all its practical applications, embraces man!
others which might, perhaps, be termed subordin
ate to the primary idea OF which we have beer
treating. AS Liberty men, We unite and labor no
only to right one wrong, to renress one outrage
to correct one evil, and to abolish one system o
oppression-but planting ourselves on the broat
and enduring principle of RIGHT, Of humanity ant
equality, we raise our voice and direct our effort
against every system of oppression tending to sub
vert this great cardinal principle of equal rights
To the accomplishment Of this great object
truth and knowledge are effectual Instrumental
ties. They are all-suflicient when properly ap
} piled, to combat and overthrow the errors an'
false dogmas-the wrong and oppression OF ever!
: opposing party in Christendom. Truth may, TO
a season, be overwhelmed by ialsehood, nnt
} knowledge by ignorance-but chains and fetter
, cannot confne them. They will eventually trl
; umph In the language Of John Adams, 'they 'O'
: preUaa.'
"Truth, crush'd to earth, will rise again,
D The eternal years of God are hers;
While error wounded, writhes in pain,
And dies amid her worshippers."
Encouraged by this blessed assurance, and b
the rapid progress of free and enlightened princi
pies, not only in our own country, but Throughout
, the world Iremain sincerely yours,