Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-08-18

We are likely at last 10 sec the end of that
pcstnent abortion, the Liberty Party. Its lead
cs are making preparations to transfer them
selves and their adhcrents to the following of
Martin Van Buren,. There arc, to be sure, Ger.
tain passages in the history Of that gentleman
which are not easily forgotten, nor easily over
looked by those who profess to he Abolitionists,
such as his pledge, while President, to veto
any bill for the abolition Of slavery in the Dis.
trict of Columbia; his casting vote, when Vice
President, to establish a slavcholding censorship
of the press aud his efforts to return the Amis.
tad capiiyes 10 the Cuba man-thieves; but these,
we npprehend, will prove no stu~mbling-blocks
in the way of the political aspirnnts who have
hoped to make the Liberty party u stepping.
stone for their own rising. The editor OF the
National Era, who has distinguished himself not
unfrcquently in his lessons Of Anti-slavery made
easy, has started as a pioneer in the new path
opened for himself and his friends, by explain
ing those acts Of Mr. Van BuTen's, to which we
have referred, in a way, we will venture to say,
which Mr. Van Buren, himself never thought Of
He-the editor of the Erd-discovers in the
Ex-Presidents late letter a certain ambiguity in
his reference TO the subject of slavery IN the Dis.
trict, which, were il correct, would add immense
ly to his reputation for peculiar talent in saying
what he did not mean. The Era is not sure
whether MIR Van Buren,, in saying-in reference
to the subject of slavery in the District-that he
was, when a candidate for the Presidency, OPP
posed to such abolition, for reasons which were
and " still are satisfactory" to his mind, means
that the reasons tcere satisfactory then, or are
nor. And although he acknowledges this is not
a very obvious construction 1--WE should think
not } yet he thinks there is room for doubt. So
with regard to the onsting vote in the Senate ;
that he thinks was given merely as n matter OF
courtesy, and being only 10 secure the second
reading Of the bill, was no indication of u real
opinion. Of the vessel sent to take the Amis-
tad ~captivcs, in case the decision Of the Court
should have been against them, he wisely says
nothing. Unfortunately, that act was not en-
barrassed by any parliamentary forms, and can
hardly bear more than one construction, unless
the Era can suppose her to have been on a fish
ing excursion off Newport. We commend the
to him, and promise not to claim it as ours,
if he takes it.
The Era is seconded by several other third
party papers, all of which, however, find some
difficulty in swallowing MIR Van Buren, without
previous preparation. But if the Buffalo Con-
vention will take a young mans advice, and put
upon their ticket with Mr. Van Buren's, the
name Of some one who has never proved HIM
self absolutely hostile TO the Abolition movement,
they may be sure Of receiving the Liberty party
vote. Nor will il require a very large tub to
catch such a whale.
But we have no intention Of quarreling with
the Liberty party for its suicidal policy. To cut
its own throat will be the wisest thing il ever did
yet. and a thing to be thankful for, even fit did
il without a reason. That il should do a reason
able thing is moro than we ever expected OF it,
and we are, therefore, not only agreeably dis
appointed, but gratiied.