Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-07-10
To the Patrons Of the Free Press.

attention to few words respecting It's uture course.
The political principles and views which have, hith-
ertO, been advocated and enforced in these columns
will in respect that am aware OF he departed from
or changed. The Free Press will sustain Vine PRIN-
cIrrEs and WING MEN and it will aim to do SO in |
good temper no less than with the earnest and rcso
lutte spirit which originates in sincere conviction that
WHe MEASURES are best adapted to promote the gen
eral welfare of the country Those who think other
wise are entitled to the unrestraned enjoyment of their
opinions It is the right of any man, or party omen,
in Vermont or elsewhere to advocate the doctrine OF
Free Trade in hostility Protective Tariff Nor the
entire separation of the General Government from the
People in the management of the National Revenue
or the unlimited annexation of Foreign States and
Territory to this Union or the gradual, but certain
Waste of the Public Domain by the appropriation OF
the proceeds arising from its sale to the ordinary an
nua expenses of the Government But with those who
honestly hold and advocate these principles and meas
ures this paper will be directly and perpetuay at is
sue though trust, only so far that implies
fair and honorable opposition of opinion, accompanied
with the disposition and the purpose to uphold and de-
fend what is believed to be the Right. The step be-
yond this leads into the arena of acrimonious personal
controversy and dispute, where the desire to persuade
and convince gives place to contest for individual
triumph which is but shade superior in dignity to
the struggles Of the pugist or the bully.
While it will be my intention, therefore, proper
occasions to enforce and illustrate Wing Principles
and to oppose the favorte and distinctive dognas of
the party which calls itself the Democratic" shall
endeavor to conduct the political discussions in this
paper as to exhibit neither the zeal which outruns
knowledge, nor the dogmasn which is offensive to
good manners. To be partzan in the sense here in
dicated requires 10 compromise of opinion nor suren
l.
defence of ones principles, and at the time, with
the exhibition of Just claims upon the respect of those
who oppose them.
need occupy no space with specification of the
Principles of the Wing Party. The Wings of Yer
mont require no Text Book to guide them in the path
of polictcaI duty. They have passed through two
cent, and exciting and memorable contests with alb
solutey no profit, if the great principles which gave
substance and nerve to those contests, and in whose
behalf victory results in benefit to all while defeat
brings particle Of shame upon the vanqushed,
not familiar in their mouths households words
deem it proper in this connection however, to say
that deny the completeness of any catalogue of Wing
Principles which does not commit the Party to the
employment of every means, short of a rolation of
the Constitution, procure the abolition and especial
Iy to oppose and prevent the EXTENSION, of Human
unmitigable OPPRESSION, against which las we have
Higher Authority than that of JErFERoN for asserting
every attribute OF Gop is arraycd Its avodable
nuance CANNOT FAIL, the allotmcnts of Just Prov
dence, to bring down disaster and ruin upon Nation
that boasts of its intelligence and FREEDOM But its
| ertension is a fragrant crime against our Common
Humanity, If the soil of Texas were a thousand fold
more fertile than isIf its Political and Commercial
and Military importance to Republic were n thou
sand fold greater than its friends have
ed 10 be no o9t OF IT. ifrrliHrv hid crer hoo" M
still remain that, rhie the rery terms of its Constu
tion bound its aboring population in the chains of
remedess slavery VERMONT gave one vote for its ad-
mission into this Union. This reproach would have
been spared to State had she not numbered a.
mong those by whom she was REPRESENTED in
Congress, one modern Democrat!
| The American People will yet see multiplied causes
to deplore the blindness which induced them to COM
NIT the reins OF their Government to those whose prn-
cpal claim to the great rested in their devotion
to the cause Of Texas Annexation. Recent events
have hurried us forward the point whence we can
look back upon consequences, which the clear sighted
and stateslnan-like sagacty of HENRY CLAY enabled
him to predict inevitable upon the consummation of
that iniquitous measure. Annex Ration and war with
rapacous policy of the President in pushing forward
the Army of Gen. TAYLOR beyond the undispu,ed
boundaries of Texas, and thus converting it into an
Army of INVASION, served but to precpitate the very
result which it was its dpOred purpose to avoid
But it is not my intention, at this time, to comlnen
on the of the existing war; nor to arapn the
Administration for its consequences or continuance -
By the solemn declaration Of the Constituted Author
ity Of the Nation war does exist The first duty O
every good citizen now is TO his Country: to "Ou
Country, right or wrong"-to preserve her in tn,
right and to remove her from the wrong The frs
duty OF the Administration to secure an honorable
Peace. proncted war can neither be justified no
f tolerated. The moral sense of the civilized world de
mands Peace-Peace at the point of the bayonet if ne
cessdry but at all events, speedy and honorable Peace
This attained, and those upon whom the fearful
responsibility of involving this nation in the caamitie
OF war, must be prepared to justify the CAUSE of wal
whether be the extension and perpeuation slavery
or the Unsuitable thirst for acquisition Either of then
is incompatible with the welfare of the Republic
f united, they threaten its very existence.
=, need scarcely sny that the of EDUCATION a
a connected and dependent whole, from the Comma
School to the University, will meet with cordial adve
. cacy in this paper The supreme necessitv of Educa
ton, in its best sense, to selgoverning people is be
coming daily more universally and deeply felt o,
own State system is a tribute to this growing and mo-
salutary conviction. That system is in the first We,
of its experience, and is committed to an able an
faithful Head. That its success will meet the hon.
and the desires Of its trainers hardly be expected
Il Comprehensive and beneficial it is in theory it wi
, doubtless require modification and admit of improve
II ment. The maxim of the Free Press in this matt
u will be: Modify and improve, but you value yo