Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-11-29
MONTPELIER, VERMONT, FRIDAY, NOV 20, 1874.
EditOrshiD of the Freeman.

The readers Of the Freeman were last week APP |
priced of the fact, that the abors of its former
editor, Mr.. Aspenwal closed with the publication
of that number; and as it devoves upon us to as
sumo the post thus surrendered, few words by
way of sauaton to the friends whom we meet in
this new capacity, will be expected, as is custom
airy upon such occasions.
Of the valuable services of the former editor,
both in connection with the paper and other de-
partments of the cause, it would be superuous for
US to speak, the largely increased circulation of
the Freeman, and the general favor with which it
has been received, affords abundant testimony that
they are known and appreciated by the friends
of the cause throughout the State.
In undertaking the control Of paper devoted to
the interests of the Liberty party at the present
period of its history, there is comparatively little
necessity for giving detailed exposition of its
principles, they must have become familiar to
all in our land who are disposed to give the sub
ject an Investigations and more-they are appro-
ved, in theory, by vast majority of the people of
the free States, while they are practically denied
by mutitudcs, for the reason that interest and
prejudice lead them to pursue counter course to
that dictated by judgment and conscience. The
great aim of a Liberty paper, then, should be, not
to bring out and elucidate new truths, but, what
is vastly more difficult task, to enforce old ones,
and induce a course Of action corresponding with
what has long been admitted, and gored in, as
true in the abstract. Is it new truth that all
men are created Equal, and are endowed by their
Creator with an INALIENABLE RIGHT to life, LIB
ERTY and the pursuit of happiness? This is as
old, at least, as our Declaration of Indep
dence; and while it has formed the keynote to all
our hypocrical and vain-g glorious boasts of free
dom and equality, the light of heaven shines not
upon that land which furnishes such systematic
and fragrant violation Of this glorious truth as does
our boosted America. Is it new truth, that the
} Constitution of the United States was adopted to
secure the blessings of LIBERTY to our fathers and
their posterty? This is as old as the instrument
ITSELF and, while this magma charta of freedom
has been eulogzed in story and song, and formed
the object of blind idolatry the hearts Of null
titudes, it has been perverted by the official
ton of the nation into death acarrant Of every
conceivable right; yea, of existence itself, free
whole nation! Is it new truth that the Gospel
OF the Savior requires US to do unto others as we
would that they should dounto us? And yet in
this land of Bibles, system of slavery is establish
ed, and claimed as sanctioned of God, with three
millions Of victims, rather than endure one hour of
which death itself would be preferable. Is it a
new truth, that the great Head of the church re-
qures US to preach the gospel to every creature?
And yet this nation is enactlng the solemn mocke-
ry of composing sea and land to make proselytes
among the heather, while upon our statute books
may be found the penalty of death for teaching
three millions of our population to read the story
of the cross! These, and few other fundamen-
tai principles. which have ever commanded the
assent, and been recognized as the creed, of the
nation, but which have been utterly denied in leg.
islation and practice. until it is almost proLemati-
cal whether they mere rhetorical f1ourshes, or
truths reducble to practice it is the great object
of the Liberty Party-it will be of the GREEN
MOUNTAIN FREEMAN, to elucidate and enforce
until our country shall stand out before the world
both in practice and in precept, the great Apostle
of the heaven descended doctrine of the equal
? ity and common brotherhood of Man.
The speedy abolition of American slavery is
f considered certain by all right minded men the
conscience of the nation is beginning to be arous
ed the light of truth is penetrating the dark con.
/ fines of OPPRESSION and its shocking enormites
t which have long been covered up by the false
teachings of political and religious leaders, are be
ginning to be held up to the gaze of the civilized
world for contempt and execration But hou
i slavery is to be abolished, is question, it is gen
orally supposed, about which there are VARIETY
: of opinions. And this is true to some extent: bu
we apprehend people agree on this subject neare
than is generally supposed. All will acknowledge
slavery to be the creature of positive law-tba
u without this it could not exist for a momentum
n that repeal OF those laws will abolish slavery.-
The first step, then, in the abolition Of slavery, is
n the repeal of those laws; and far as the actio
l. of the General Government has contributed
At strengthen and tuld up slavery, the free State
a. being in the majority directly responsible, an
III should Immediately wash their hands of this enol
Ie nous guilt. And that the General Government
possessing entire control of the slave trade betwee
y the States, of the admission of new states, of tn
to treaty making power, and of the recovery of fug
u tive slaves, hold the keys of the entire citadel
If slavery, must be evident to all.
1t is political action, then, the part of the FIRE
States, which is to effect the overthrow of slavery
O. But what right have to expect such action frol
v either the wing ordemocratc parties of this Union
h' 1t is boldly proclaimed by the south (as may b