Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-07-31
THE WIGS AND SLAVERY.

The Middlebury Galaxy comes out upon res
oIutiOn passed at the late Liberty convention in
Morrisve, which states that the 'whig and DEM
ocratc parties maintain their fidelity to the inter-
csts of slavery, and refuse to take any efficient
measures for its overthrow and exclaims-
"The broad assertion that the wing party refuse
to take efficient measures to overthrow slavery, is
so destitute OF truth, as at once to expose the au-
thors of such a sentiment to contempt and scorn,
a. Look upon the action of the party in Con-
gress upon the right Of petition, (2) the admission
of Florida, with perpetual slavery. Upon all
these questions the wing party, with u united
front, advanced against slavery. 49,
Bring the question closer home. "a Does the
wing party of Vermont bow down to praise slave
ry-its abettors or promoters? (5.) Does not the
wing press thunder its anathemas against the
encroachmens of slavery, the extension of its
power, The multiplicity of its evils, and the enor-
nifty of its practices? (6.)
H. We are thankful that the contempt and
scorn' to which we have exposed ourselves does
not shut US out from the friendly reproofs of the
Galaxy man. He must be of the good Samaritan
or Washingtonian stamp-a friend Of the most
vicious and despised.
T2] While it is admitted that most of the wings
in Congress have favored the right of petition, il
is denied that this right has ever been resolved
upon in their national conventions, or incorporate
ed into the creed of the national party, and Iecog
nzed as binding upon its adherents-and, indeed
it would be difficult to point out any one principle
that has been thus resolved upon and recognized
And it is denied, too, that those who have support
ed this right have regarded it as an Gntt slaUerg
measure; many, with Henry Clay at their head
would receive anti slavery petitions that their au
thors might be held up to the overwhelming force
public opinion The right of petition is as plain
secured to the people of the United States in the
Constitution as is the right of trial by jury; anC
yet the wings claim great credit for having favor
ed it We should as soon think of arrogatng t.
ourselves great merit in not having stolen ou
eghbors horse!
ISL But Mr.. Bell says the wings advanced will
united front against the admission of Florida
with perpetual slavery Let US see. 1t is true
that when the bill for the admission of Florida
came up, a wing from Mass. in the Senate, ant
one from Maine in the House, asked that tn
clause, denying to its legislature the right to aboI
sh slavery, might be stricken out; bur no Will
aksed that slavery should be prohibited in Florida
and upon the final passage Of the bill Nth perpet
ual slavery, less than ONE THIRD Of the wings il
Senate, and still smaller proportion of the wing
in the House, if we mistake not voted against it
There is your united 'front.' Mr.. Galaxy! Is h'
| bot tbo ,yhi ho tai
measures against slavery"
T4.1 Here is the dernier resort. When III
proslavery character of the national wing party
shown, we are pointed to the action OF the wing
of Vermont--and the conclusion seems to be, tina
if they preach and pray and resolve against slave
ny here, they may be allowed to support it in thei
national capacity.
[5l Was ever man-worship more lavishly be
slowed than by the wings of Vermont during tn
last campaign upon Mr.. Clay did not thei
late State convention pledge themselves to rene,
it with increased zeal, should he be re-nominate
for tho presidencyl And that he has been tn
most subtle and successful 'abettor and promote
of slavery in the nation, is as well known as is hi
public life.
[6.] To be sure, when there was a hope
making party capital (not before) the wing pre-;
ofVermont could thunder its anathemas' agani
Tersn slavery; and occasionally, when ubOlitio
votes are wanted, they indulge in some gener;
denuncintions against American slavery: but
what avail is this, so long as they are in leugu
with sla yeholders-sustain them for the hiohe,
offices in the nation-utterly neglect and refuse
take any efficient measures for the destruction
slavery, and most bitterly denounce those VIII
do take such measures? The more they 'thundt
their analhemas' against slavery, while pursun
their present course, the more is their hypocris
made manifest.