Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-08-12
The Working Principle Of the Libori!
Party,

The peculiarly of every machine lies in its
working principle. One machine moves with a
crank, another with a pinlon, and so on. The
distinctive popularity is drawn not from the OBJ
iect it aims to accomplish, but from the method
of movement by which it works.
A similar remark may be made concerning as
sociations of men. They are charactized not
so much by their peculiar objects as by the meth
cd of operation which they adopt. The Bible
societies, for instance, are not Characterized 50
much by their object Of general distribution of
the scri ptures, as by their "working principle
of coniding their efforts to the circulation of the
sacred scriptures, without note or common -
This has given slngleness to their movement,
kept them from complicating their action with
that of other associations, and made every thing
smooth and equal.
Now what is the "%working principle" of the
Liberty party! Not its ultimte aim-the aboli-
ton of slavery-for this is also the aim Of many
other associations. Not the mere doctrine that
slavery ought to oppose politically, for multitudes
hold that, who do not unite with the Liberty par
ty, but think they best oppose slavery politically
by the influence they are e%xerting upon other
parties. Not the mere union of action against
slavery as an e%xpedient for the time being-lor
lIIIo I'LL lNINio LoC up do Il pblIl1 lCllIJtl al y
affair, to be abandoned upon the first change in
the aspect of affairs.
The working principle" of the Liberty party,
which was adopted at its first formation, which
has regulated its movements hitherto, and which
therefore constitutes its individuality, is this
that a political party was formed, assuming the re-
sponsibllities before the world, and establishing
the ties among its members, which the common
understanding of mankind has attached to a po-
litical party-inyolving a unity of action, a per-
manency of organization, uniformity of move.
ment, such as mark the party for an organized
body, and not a mere agglomeration of individu-
ais. 1t is a party, claiming all the rights ant
performing all the functions, that attach to any
other party as such.
This shows the relation which faithful midi
vidual assumes who resolves to consider himselI
one Of the party. He is no longer an i~nsolatcC
individual, under obligatation simply to do from
time to time that which he thinks most adyisa.
BILE for the common good-that is, fighting or
his own hook. But he is one of an organized
body of men, which is to act by the die
tates Of the united mind. Any man who
does not choose or does not think it his duty tC
consent to this, can withdraw from the party a
his own pleasure. No man canjustly claim the
rights of a member of the party, unless he il
willing to hold himself to the c%orrelate duties
the hrst of which is, that we act together.
Mr. " ebster recognizes this principle, wher
ne declares that he sees no star of hope for the
future d%estinies of his country, but in the inAu
ence and success of the united wing party of tn,
United States The democratic party are pro
verbal for their tenacious adhesion to the princi
pie of union. The Liberty party was formed il
the belief that the power of slavery over the tw,
old parties could never be successfully resist,
and annihilated, by a party equally we'll organi
zed, united and consolidated.
IT follows that the Liberty party cannot con
sis'entIy range itself under the banners or merg
l'selt ihto the ranks OF any other party. Havin,