Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-10-08
Advice TO honest Men.

AT no period in TIE progress of the antl-slaye-
~ cause have grea responsibilities rested upon
its friends. On their wisdom, energy aud firm
ness depends the result, in great degree, Of the
present favorable agitation in the public mind
upon this momentous subject Whether the
wave of public sentiment and feeling, every DIV
rising higher and rolling more vehemenlly on.
ward shall sweep away this foul pntressence
from our wide and beautiful domain or shall
break and spend itself Intellectually, will depend
upon the sagacity and fidelity of thse who have
been long familiar with this evil and hive devn
Ted themselves with sacrifice and self tenla
that the present age will not be able to appre
ciate to the advocacy of unpopular Justice ant
truth Success, such as now glldlens hearts
is to be hailed with gratitude and congratulqtior
but there is danger in it. 1t is well to ht
F0rewarned
1t is especially needGu that all who intend tt
use their political influence against slavery, see
to it that they are not deceived by halfway prom.
ises and dishonest professions. 1t is becoming
fashionable on the political arena to boast loudly
'of Liberty and supreme regard for the rights Of
the helpless and oppressed Both parties, &c
some extent, are eudeayorng in this manner tt
reap the fruit Of the ant-slaverv agitation, anl
absorb the political anti-siavery movement
They may perhaps deceive some who are not ia
~mar with the craft of politics. When local
portions Of party come forth with strong de-
nunciatlons Of slavery aud even profess to make
its removal from the District, and its restl ant
within present limits leading objects, and declare
opposition to slavery paramount to all other con
sideratlons, it is not strange that many whose
>old party ties are not wholly thrown off, ask 81
Wot this enough Ought we not to be satisfied
with this2' To such we would say,-consider
Do not these men speak for a small portion o
their party only and is not the national part1
still in alliance with shareholders! Who wa
rtheir last candidate for the Presidency Anc
will they, can they, nominate for that Office
man who is sound and true to the principles YOU
profess to love! If not, your duty is clear
Break away wholly from your old party preudi
ces, and be an honest and consistent opponen
of slavery. Take the only ground that you CA
stand upon with any appearance Of conslstenc
with any hope Of securing your ultimate snd-th
firm resolution to give your support to no slave
holder or supporter Of slavery for ofice-yed, t.
no candidate belonging to a party that support
Shareholders for office. Here is the ralIying point
the true centre of motion, for all who really in
tend to be actively and effectually engaged in thu
war Of determination now waging against slavery
We care not for names. This is indeed tn
Liberty Party platform. But if the name b
not musical enough or expressive enough in you
ear, call yourself by some other; but, if tn
principle we have laid down is correct, adhere t
it with the +enacity and fearessness of vn
and independent man, and let your faith be mad
evident by your deeds.
1t would seem that those who have been mis-
led by professions Of friendship from ofice-seek
ers and parties needing votes, might have learn
ed wisdom by bitter experience. Within yea
some such have seen the men they con6ded i
as true to the cause of Freedom, voting supple
Of men aud money to carry on the piratica wa
for the extension of slavery over the domain of
neighboring republic; and anti-savery Governor!
80 called, urging peaceable citizens to leave the
useful emploYments and risk their lives anon
our national bandrti on the plains Of Mexico