Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-09-30
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For the Freeman.
For the Freeman.
WilmOt PrOyiSOmLiberty Party,


1t is said, that the Wimot Provso does not come up
to the Liberty Standard and that therefore, the Lber
ty Party cannot make that the issue in the next pres
idential election Now | am not satisfied with this
ground and think it should not be taken unless strong
reasons require.
The Wilmot Proviso has been sanctioned by pow
erfu vote in Congress and meets the wishes of large
proportion of all the people in the free States The
principles it assumes are just LIBERAL and Constitution
al The slave power have met the Proviso with deter
mnation, and open hostility. Why not meet them on
their own ground? They have made up the ISSUE
why not accept of it? Why should not all the friends
of civil Liberty unite to sustain and carry out the Pro-
viso which the slave power is united to put down?
All men can easily understand this issue. Every
man can tell, whether he is opposed to having any
more slave territory any more slave states. and can
vote accordingly 1t is broad ground on which all
can stand except slave holders and their humble al
lies. Wings and Democrats united in supporting this
Provso last winter. Why canuot every honest man.
who loves Liberty than slavery unite heart and
hand on this broad ground, and resolve to meet the
save-power on the issue, which they have distinctly
sated2 The advocates for slavery perpetual slavery
go into the hostile to the Proviso, let the
friends of Liberty resolve to man, that they will
ter the canvass under the broad folds of the Wimot
Provso
This Proviso will draw the line between the slave
power and The friends of Liberty; and the men, who
hung on the fence, will have to show themselves.
The Proyiso asks nothing but what is clearly right
and for the good of the country, Those, who oppose
it. must be put in the wrong, and all candid men must
condemn them
The Proviso has nothing to do with old party ques-
tons, but prevents new issue, common ground on
which the real friends of Liberty can meet and the
Proviso will carry heavier vote against the slave-pow-
err than any other issue, that can be set up The par
ty, which has the wisdom to take that ground, will
draw largely from the other parties. The leaders,
oficeseekers, will oppose this ISSUE but candid men
of all parties will feel that here is safe, reasonable
ground, and they will meet on this, if on any ground.
Why, then, should not this ground be taken? Be it
So that the Provso does not embrace all the points,
that the Liberty party wish yet does not reach the
most essential points, And is not half loaf better
than no bread? Garry the Provso and slavery will be
hemmed in on every side and no more slave states
can be added to the Uuion. Garry the Proviso, and
the savepower is broken, the Government will be on
the side of Liberty and will use its constitutional in
fuence to weaken slavery, and promote the claims Of
rational Liberty. And let the Representatives and
President be chosen on the principles of the Provso
and who can doubt, but that slavery would be driven
from Washington, and everything done to put down
the great evil of slavery, which can with reason be
done? Indeed, let the Provso be carried, and how
long would Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Ten
nessee, Kentucky and Missouri be numbered among
the slave states And are all these considerations of
no consequence?
The slaveocrats have looked at this subject see
what the results must be- and have taken their ground;
why should we not meet them openly, and frankly and
settle the great question at Issue? frankly confess
can see good reason why the Liberty Party should
not plant itself the principles OF the Proviso, meet
the issue, which slave holders have made and invite
all the friends of human lights to come up to their help
Divine Providence seems to have put price into the
hands of the friends ofhumanity and pray they may
have wisdom to use it, before it is too late
AN OLD MAN.