Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-03-04
From the National Era
THE LIBERTY PARTY.

The Liberty Party has assumed position,
and yields now an influence, which must com
mand the attention and respect Of poiticians-
Year after year, since 1910, though mcagre in
numerical force, has it maintained fidelity to its
principles, against the most formidable attempts
to divide it by trickery or ovcrwhelm it with
odium
In Neo Hampshire, having increased from
5400%in lS45, to l0,800 in 1916, it was the
chief instrumcntality Of subyerting the servile
dynasty in that State and sending to the Senate
of the United States gentleman representing
the Anti-Slayery sentiment
Its ten thousand voters in Maine virtually de-
teated both the old parties, causing the nom
election Of candidates in one half the conn
ties, and changing the aspect Of politics in tint
Steta.
In Vermont though. the Dominant party was
Ant-Slayery in its State policy still in consc-
quence of its political conncXlon with national
party controlled to great extent by pro-sayc-
ry sentiment, it rose from 5,622 in 1915, to
G61 in 1915
In Illinois, Notwithstanding filling off in the
aggregate vote Of the State, it gained m Access
sion Of two thousand voters. And in MasslchU-
sets and Ohio, where the most strenuous and
ortfuI efforts were made to scduce Liberty men
rom their organization, by decided Anti-Slayery
concessions en- the part Of the Wings, the Lbcr-
tv men ia each was increased nearly three thou
sand
But what is peculiarly worthy of remark is,
the fidelity of the party in the State Of Mar
YOrk Some year or less ago, it was apparent
ly broken to pieces, by unhappy differences Of
opinion in relation to the Convention question,
and certain suggestions about pnlarring its plat
form We feared it would be long ere harmo-
NOUS and efficient action would be restored, and
anticipated but an insignificant vote at the late
election. Especially was this to be apprehcnd-
ed as it was the policy Of one of the old parties
to draw off the Liberty men on the question of
equal suffrage. Despite these difficulties, the
Liberty vote reached thirteen thousand. If this
be the strength of the Party On its re-organiza-
tion what may be expected when mutual conf
dence shall have been fully restored, and when
no extraneous question shall be permitted to di-
vide and destroy!
To the Liberty organization we shall give our
support regarding it as one means in the series
designed by Providence to accomplish the final
extinction Of Slavery. Its power consists in
single eyed devotion to the one idea. 1t is not
mversal-reform party. The principles it adj
vocates are all comprehensive in their scope, and
must exert an expansive influence on the minds
of its members, dispensing them to regard with
favor all movements designed to advance the in
terests of the many, and abate the pretensions Of
the few but its great duty is to apply these prin-
ciples to the evil, which has perverted the reIi-
gious organizations, and oyermatched the politi-
cal parties Of the country, thwartlng, to great
extent, their efforts for its good 1t stimulates
discussions and by directing Anti-Slayery sent
ment to the ballot-box, cohsuts the genius of the
American people and their institutions and give:
to this discussion a conservative and practical
power, at the same time that it brings the grea
doctrines Of human rights to bear upon the Other
parties IN the way in which they can be mos
ettectuaily reached How it will ultimately ac
compIish its work, whether by forcing one Of
both OF these parties to adopt It's peculiar prin
ciples, or by breaking them up and causing new
political organizations, cannot be fareseen; bu
it is sufficient for us to know thatunder the pres
sure of its influence, conioined with other agen
cies, there has been steady advancement o
public sentiment towards healthfu action on thu
question of Slavery