Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-04-16
TIL Z FR Il Il NJ A N .
MONTPELIER, THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1876


The Liberty Party-itS Policy
We notice that attempts are being made, by few
prominent Liberty men in the States of New York,
Michigan Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, to add to
the glorious "one idea" of the Liberty Party other
IDEAS of less magnitude--such as modification of
the existing Tariff laws, and thorough reform in the
Legislative, executive, and Judicial departments of gov
eminent In short, they urge that the time has come
for our party to adopt system of general politics,
That abuses have cropt into almost every depart
ment of government, and of society," is rue and that
correction of these evils should be sought after by
every friend Of the rights and best interests of his fell
low men, none can deny. But in our Judgment, the
adoption of the course recommended at the present
time, would inevitably result in the speedy downfall of
the Liberty organization, and thus destroy our only
hope of the peaceful abolition of American slavery
We frankly confess our establishment that any, espc
caly of those who have borne the burden and heat of
the Liberty day. should be the first to discard the old
landmarks and rudey scatter to the winds Gideon
like band of dauntess spirits, who have welcomed
proaches fiery prosecutions and the sacrifice Of all
minor considerations, to the end that they might work
out the redemption of the American slave.
The American Anti-slavery movement, as has often
been asserted, grew out of an unyiedlng necessity
That vile system of slavery which, at the formation Of
our government was but little cloud no bigger than
mans hand, had ovorspread the national horizon
tainted the atmosphere with its pesterous breathand
sent the iron of chaelism heathenism, and temporal
and eternal ruin through the souls of onesiXth of
entire population. 1t had enthroned itself in the halls
of legislation, until the chief of our lawgvers boldly
proclaimed that the doctrines of the Declaration of
Independence all men were created eqotaI-was
rhetorical flourish" never designed to be reduced
to practice; and another declared that two hundred
years legislation had sanctioned and sancied Amer
lean slavery, and that it was as much the duty of the
government to protect the interests of slavery the
interests of freedom. Slavery had also entrenched it.
self in the temples of Our holy religion until it was
solemnly resolved that the Bible authorized and ap-
proved Of slavery and the pit of its
spread the seamless garment of the benevolent
Redeemer Then it was that those who looked for the
redemption of our American Israel, and the vindca-
ton of republican faith, banded themselves ogeth
err under solemn pledge to God and their oppressed
brethren, that they would never give up the conflict
until this deadly evil should be brought to perpetual
end. And in the spirit of an enlarged Christian phi.
lanthropy, all were invited to rally under their broad
banner of every name and creed who were willing
labor for the common end, No standard of religious
faith or moral excellence was erected no system o.
finance, or of general politics, was adopted. On the
contrary, they all Intentionally and specifically
discarded They regarded as non-essentials com
pared with the great doctrine of mans right to liberty
and the pursuit of happiness. Freedom of opinion
and acton would be tolerated upon all these questions
long there was assent to the paramount neces
sity OF liberty to the ensaved The friends and the
enemies of Protective Tariff as it is called coult
here agree that the protection" of man in the enjoy
ment of the rights which God had given him, was a
bove all other protection: the friends and enemies Of
National Bank, could here agree that slavery was
the great disturbing influence in the finances of the
country the friends and enemies of internal improve
ment, could here agree that no improvement could
equal the elevation of three millions of degraded slaves
to the condition of intelligent freemen and the friend:
and enemies of State rights could not deny that the
rights of "soulless corporations" were not to be
compared with those of immortal man. With the sin
gle cry of Liberty to The captiUe marched triumph
anty on toward the fulflment of our purpose; ant
when tauntingly accused of having but zone idea,
gored in the thought that idea was infnitel,
more comprehensive than the scores that filled the
heads of our accusers.
Why, then, shall we change the ISSUE or create
new ones to the prejudice of the old? Will it be con
tended that any, ALL of the evils, to the removal
which it is now proposed to commit the Liberty party
are to be compared with the evils of savery9 Bv ne
means. Then why throw in these apples of dscorl
and distract our forces by the introduction of multi
tude of questions-some of which, at least, are O
doubtful expediency? 1t is nothing short of iridelt
to the bond of our unon and to the cause of the slave
Let for instance the Liberty party take ground upor
the tariff and the interests, real or fanced. of ON
friends in different sections of the country are so dis
similar as to repe lhem and while they are contendne
over this subject in the dust and darkness with which
selfish politicians have enshrouded it. the last hone d
the slave dies in his bosom, and he lifts his REVENGE
full hand to deluge the land with blood or it NAV be
the feter is fastened upon our own limbs, to be be-
queathed to our children
We shall resume this subject next week.