Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-11-04

Buffalo, Oct. Y, lS4I.
The attendance upon the Convention was large
every free State being represented many OF them
by large delegations. Among the members were
many Of the oldest and hrmest friends OF
the cause. I omit the details Of the organlza-
ton. Alarge business committee was appointed,
of which S. P. Chase, ]. Lcavitt, Gerritt Smith,
and others were members. That committee in
troduccd a series of resolutions, thorough in
principle and admirably drawn, affirming the old
original doctrines of the Liberty party. They
were said to be from the able pen of Mr.. Chase.
Mr.. Smith introduced a minority report, consist
ino of two resolutions-one affirming the uncon-
stitutionality of slavery-the other tending to
enlarge the basis Of the party in accordance with
the doctrines of the Liberty League. Mr.. Chase
also introduced IA resolution for postponing the
the nomination Of candidates till June, lS4S.-
These reports opened for discussion the various
matters about which there was difference of opin-
ion in the Convention. The resolution on the
unconstitutionality Of Slavery, was thoroughly
discussed, and though perhaps a majority OF the
delegates believed in its truth, yet, owing partly
to the contraricty of opinion among them, aud
partly to the fact that the resolutions of the COM
mittee took strong and high ground on this sub
iect, the resolution of Mr.. Smith was rejected by
a decisive vote. Then came the debate on the
proposition of Mr.. Smith, tending to enlarge the
basis of the Liberty Party. ! say teadiRg to en-
Iarge-for the resolution wa carefully drawn,
declaring simply that the Liberty Party was a
permanent party, and that being a permanent
party, it was its duty to inquire into all sub lects
which might come within the scope of the action
Of a permanent National Party, which aimed to
govern the country, and then to i|nculcatc such
doctrines on all these subjects, MS were in accor-
dance with the principle Of equal rights Of all
men. CThc resolution was, | believe, the same
that was moved by Mr. Smith in the recent Lib
erty convention of this State.) The resolution
of the business committee, q now speak of the
National convention, and for which Mr.. Smitl
proposed to substitute his, affirmed that while
the Liberty party was based on the principle Of
the equal rights of all men, its paramount objec
was the overthrow Of American Slavery. MIR
Smith was heard at length in support Of his res
%oIution. He made an able, ingenious, %cIoqucn
!, and conclliatory speech. lie was replied t
mainly by Messrs. Owen Lovejoy, II. B, Stanton
r and S. P. Chlse, and was supported By Mr., Tim
othy Stow and one or two others. The advocate
of the enlargement were heard, ! believe, to theI
entire satisfaction. The question was first pu
+ to the mass meeting, and the resolution of Mr.
d Smith was rejected. 1t WIS then put to the dele
G gates proper, by yeas and nays, and ~as by th0
rejected by a cote Of about flee to one, Their
n was no little apprehension felt during the discus
sion, as to the result on this vital issue. Th
=. presence, the character, the speech of Mr.. Smith
and the apparent harhlessness Of the terms
the resolution, were adapted to make a dee
e and winning impression upon the Convention
T. A general surprise was felt at the strong an
decisive vote by which his proposition was re
! jected. Thus the Liberty party stands whcr
y it originally planted its feet, DECLARLN(
IT'S PERNANENT OBJECT TO BI
THE ABOLITTON or AMERICAI
SLAVERY, IYIROUGH TIE OPERA
TYON or THE FEDERAL AM
STA TIE GOVERNMENTS.
The question of postponing the nomination t!
next year, was most thoroughly discussed an
v intermingled in it, and constituting its chief fej
lures, were the claims and characters of the Sc
n eral candidates for the Presidency, and especial
Il those of Messrs Hale and Smith. In this latt,
particular, every thing was open and frank, an
W W probably one half the delegates addressed Il
convention in regard to it. All who wished
had their "say." The postponement was alb
supported by Mr., Chase, of Ohio, Gen. Holt,
N. H., and other gentlemen. The yeas and Ina,
were taken upon ii, land it was rejected by a lare
- majority. Immediately upon this, and last ey
ming at s o'clock, the Convention proceeded
an informal ballot for the Presidential candldat
a it being understood that nobody was bound /
the result, | have not the figures and cam
= give the exact vote. Delegates only voted, al
each State cast the number of its electoral vot
The informal ballot stood about as follows f
John ?. Hale, l03-for Gerritt Smith, 43-and
e few scattering votes, say ten or twelve, for Mess
Chase, Fessenden, Lewis and Lemoyne. 4
ardent and able supporter of Mr.. Smith tn
moved that John P. Hale be unanimously non
~ mated as the candidate, and it was carried
nv loud and hearty acclamations, without, | belicy
of a dissenting voice. A word or two as to t
p vote of MIR. Smith,
There were several delegates in altendanC
e. who had probably determined not to support a
ne candidate who might be nominated unless it We
r re- Mr.. Smith-they having adopted the creed a
policy Of the Macedon Lock Convention. \
elk Smith, during the discussions, or in reply to qu,
n tons propounded directly to him on the sp
Is said that he had not joined the Liberty Lcagl
OF was still a member of the Liberty party and of
W. other, had not accepted, and should not accC
SO the nomination of the League, &c. The el(
lie torial vote of one State, which was represent
n by a single delegate, was cast by him for n
mt Smith. But, more than alI-the noble prcsen(
he great services, and catholic spirit of Mr., S. {
erted a most winning influence in his foyor, Il
-. he declared he did not wish for the nominate
or This declaration was made with unquestional
sincerity, All, however, could not withstand t
he enthusiasm in favor of Mr.. Hale, and the stroI
n conviction that he was the man for the eau
and the hour. Nor have | Il doubt that had
gone into conclusive ballot, MIR. Hale would ha
received the entire vote of those who were reso
ed to support the nomination, whoever might
the nominee. But this was fully accomplish
us by the unanimous UiCd U0ci vote which prescl
ed his name to the party and the country,
re- The convention then proceeded to nominate
Ie- candidate for the Vice Presidency, The ball,
Try were about equally divided between Lieccst
sc King, of Ohio, and Owen Lovcioy of Illinois.