The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-03-12
VOICE OF FREEDOM.
Brandon. Thursdoy March IL, 1916.
LIBERTY PARTY POLITICS.

AAbnNIE EARh \ FOLIAACS'
Messrs Beckely s. Fos.er, publishers. of
the Signal Of Liberty, Ann Arbor mich
have issued gu extra Signal, in which they
define their political creed as a part and
parcel Of the Liberty Party creed; and de-
sire that their views appear in this as well
as other papers. No. deeming it necessa-
ny to copy all they say in their extra, l
will endeavor to giveth substance OF what
Messrs Becky & Foster think should be
incorporated into the Liberty Party creed
in order to have that party finally triumph.
After expressing the opinion tina. some ma
tional political party will eventually a.
bolish Slavery,and tina: neither the present
Wing or Democratic parties will do it.
they speak as follows;
The Liberty party have the aOiU to a.
bolish slavery, but they have not the pow
err. Can they attain the requisite power
to abolish it by their own legislaiion?-
We answer, that THEY CANNOT, aohile
they refuse TO take ground on any subject
except The abolition of SLavery.
After giving their reasons for this be-
lief, they proceed TO state the questions
they think must constitute the Liberty Par,
ly creed in order 10 insure its success, and
speak thus;-
l. The ABOLITION OF SLAVERY
by constitutional means, should continue
10 be the paramount object of the party.
2, Equal POLITICAL AND Civil
RIGHTs, be secured to every cit
izen without reference to nativity, color or
descent. This principle would do away
with all monopolies and special privileges
granted TO corporations or northumberland
also with all unequal taxation.
3. n THOROUGH REFORM OF THE JU-
dietary SysTEM-boIh State and Nation.
al, so that the Laws shall be made more
nteligibIc, decisions more conformed 10
justice, judgment more speedily rendered,
the number OF technicaities diminished,
and the cost of administering justice great
Y reduced.
a. THE ELECTION OF ALL NATIONAL
AND STATE OFFIcERs,-so far as the ma
ture Of the circumstances will permit
Especially should this reform be applied
to the office of Poslmasters, who should
be elected by the citizens of the town or
city in which they are located.
5. The REDUCTION OF SALARIEs-of
all persons in public employ to as low q
rate as will secure incumbents of the requ.
site qualifications and abilities.
6. The REDUCTION OF THE ARMY
AND NAvy-with a view 10 their ultimate
abolition as the circumstances of the coun-
try. and Of other nations, shall render it
advisable"
7. A TARIFF FOR REvENUE-so long
as the expenses Of the National Govern.
ment are as great as they now are. Bat
should they be reduced-as they might be
by the measures before enumerated-to
one third or one-half the present amount,
the cumbrous machinery of the Custom
Houses would be no longer necessary, bat
the public Treasury could then be sup,
piled better and more cheaply BY small
direct tax upon many and increasing nils
lions of Industrious citizens. In this case,
the Tariff should be abolished, but so
gradually, as to save every interest vested
under its provisions.
8. The REDUCTION OF THE PosT
OFFICE TAX. In this Republican coun-
try, the people ought 10 be served as cheap
as the subjects of ancient monarehes and
the Franking Privilege should be entirely
abolished by the Legislation OF national
party having the power and the will to do
it, we affirm that the LIBERTY party mag
become that party by using the means we
have stated: but,
If they REFUSE to do this, they
will be a mere TEMPORARY party, short
lived in existence, few in numbers and ac-
complishing no other good than to pre-
pare the way for the coming of another
that shall succeed it, that will not only be
aniisavery, but will take good ground on
all the subjects in which American citizens
are Interested. 1t will take the place of
the Liberty party. do its work, and the
early antisIavery pioneers will ultimately
become enlisted in its ranks.
Now, Mr. Editor, we submit these con-
sideralions 10 your readers, and will make
no argument respecting them, further than
to ask, whether it would not be better for
the great cause in which we are engaged,
for the Liberty party to improve the OPP
portunity which now presents itself for OBJ
tanning the power directly to abolish Slave.
ry, land which opportunity is fast passing
away.) than TO commit our noble enter>
prise into the hands of another sci OF mon
10 come after US, whose devotion 10 the
One Idea of Abolition will be more recent
in its date, less unmixed In its character,
less predominant over other interests, and
more liable 10 the opposition OF old party
prejudices, and the seduciions of selfish