Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-02-03
J. G. WHTrTIER'S LETTER.
B. NJ. HALL.

J. G. WHFTTIER'S LETTER.
The Liberty Party in the Third District, were
somewhat afflicted with Mr.. Whtticr's refusal to
stand longer their candidate for Congress. But
he has felt restrained by his position, in the use
of his eloquent pen, the friends of the cause
through the country will not regret the course he
has taken. The following extract is from letter
he addressed to the Convention, called to nomin-
ate a candidate in his place:
"The present is indeed time for the friends of
the slave to thank God aud take courage Stea-
dy, uncOmpromsing fidelity to our principles in
the use of our elective franchise, during the past
three years, has already wrought Il marvellous
change in favor of the great cause of Human
Freedom. The passage of the Latinlcr BiIl-the
repeal of the antmarrage Lew, that last reIict OF
the old Slave-code of the State-the Resolves of
the last session asking an alteration of the ConSti
tution repeating that clause which enables the
South to send into Congress twenty representa-
tves of slave prOpGry-are among the indications
in our State, of the growing Influence of our prin-
ciples and consistent practice. If we look to Con-
gross, we note similar progress. We are wiring
ing from the rnluctant and robber-hnnds of slave
holders and their Northern allies, the Right Of Pc
tition, of which we have been deprived for the
last ten years. Terrified by the growing str ngth
of the Liberty vote i'll all sections, of the free
States, the recently elected members e the pres
ent Congress, dare not trample on our Petitions
their predecessors have done; butara constrain-
ed to acknowledge our right to be heard. Lead
ing politicians, and party editors are making loud
professions Of their zeal for Northern rights, aud
abstract abolition. Men who mobbed us five years
ago for being abOGtionistS, now pride themselves
in the name Of Wing abolitlonists, and Democrat
&c abotionlss. Up to the very hour when we
saw and acted upon thcnecessty and duty Of car
rying our principles to the ballot-boX-through
the seven long weary years of moral suasion and
humble pctiton-what were these men dong?-
They maligned us in their newspapers-they in
voked Legislative enactmcnts against us-thcy fill.
ed the ears of shareholders with base lasehoods
respecting us-Antl the entire South became one
great Lynch Club, Wheting its BoVie-knite for
our throats-they bounded on the terocious nobs
which hunted for the lives of Our lecturers aud
broke up our meetingS:-in fact, the only day of
respite which they gave us out of the whole 500,
was that on which we made at the BallotBoX our
annual obcIsance to slavery, and enjoyed the de-
lectahle privilege Of voting our prosecutors into
office! Well, we have made an advance step
we have twisted off our Old party collars-wc
have drawn deep and broad the line between sla-
very and Freedom in the politics of the country,
we act as well as preach, we Uoie as well as pray
|
see?-Our old enemies arc as active as ever ag-
inst US, but taking altogether a new posltlon.-
They no longer propose to mob our prayer meet
ings they no longer regard our petitions treasona-
BILE, they have given up the idea of legislative re-
strlctlonS upon freedom Of speech and Of the
press. Nay, they declare themselves ahoIitlonlss
of the old moral suasiOn sort, they are filled with
regret that so holy cause should be sucd by
politics, they profess to occupy the very ground
II wi nd WIN nj
, mobs upon us. TO discuss the subject of Slavery
is no longer treason. All their indignation is now
reserved for those who U0!e against it. Courage,
then, brethren!-lf the position which we 0ccu-
pied five years ago is now acknowledged to be
right by the very men who abused Us for taking
it, depend upou it, it will not be long before they
will coufeSs our present position to be right also.
Ears deafto our prayers and entreaties, arc open
to the "terse rhetoric of the Ballot-Box."
Wo to us and our cause if we overlook princi-
pie in contest for men. Let US strike dead lev
ell in our ranks-let us know no leaders-let us
hold out no patry partisan favors us the recon-
pense of labor in cause which is ''itS own OK
cceding great reward" If there are any among
US who cannot sincerely thank God that they are
permitted to labor in such cause-if there are
any who would introduce among us the misera-
bic watchwords and petty jealousies Of pro-slay-
cry parties-ifthere are any who have yet to
learn that the establishment of National Bank
or Sub Treasury, is not the great end and aim of
: human existence-if there are any who love
Whiggery better than Liberty, and the empty
name of Democracy better than its reaity,-lct
them go out from among us at once; the sooner
the better. AS we close up our ranks their de-
parture, our numbers may be less, but we shall at
least feel that true hearts are beating on our right
hand and on our left; that no non-conductors are
left to break the electric chain of our common
sympathy. We want Liberty men; not Wing alb
olitionists nor Democratic abotonsts, nor Baptist
: abotonsts, nor Quaker aboltionsts-but true
hearty friends to Freedom; Men who feel their OBJ
legation to God aud their fellow men, who, impel-
led by principle, have enlisted for The ,Oar not to
be driven back by threats, or deluded back by
falsehood and fattery.
Liberty-the great interests of humanity-Uni-