Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-10-12

vote and, as one Oh lllGLl lGbl HOHUlCu " CAo
app n to my intelligence and Judgment, as tree
n.y.
It is refreshing TO turn from the Baltimore COnven'
tion whose ayowed principles | heartily dsappyoye,
and from the Philadelphia Convention which had no
principles that it was willing to proclaim as Its own,
and ITS candidates to the Platform laid down by the
Buffalo Convention especially-to that part Of 1t which
relates to the question of slavery, which must be ad-
mitted to be paramount, in present practical lmpor-
tance to any and all other questions before the coun-
try Let me glance ut its prominent features IN refer
ence to this subject
Expressing a conviction Of the encroacang char
acer of slavery and referring to its control OF the late
Wing nd Democratic Conventions, and the necessity
of union TO resist its Gncroachments the Convention
make solemn and final declaration of independence
of the slave power" and express " fixed determine
ton to rescue the Federal Government from its con
trol"-planting themselves upon the national plat
form of Freedom in OPT oson to the sectional plat
form Of Slavery"
Recognizing the constitutional rights of slavery in
the Stltes they declare that, at the adoption OF the
Constitution, sit was the settled policy OF the nation
not to extend nat0naize, encourage but to limit,
localize and discourage it and that the government
sought to return" to that policy from which ii has de-
parted.
They bring out and give just prominence to the de-
clared purpose of the Constitution to establish JUS
tce, promote the general welfare and secure the bes
sings of liberty"
They declare that Congress has no more power to
make slave, than to make king,--no more power
to establish slavery, than to establish monarch;"-
and that it is the duty of the Federal Government
to relieve itself from all responsibility for the exist
ence or continuance Of slavery wherever the govern
ment possesses constitutional authority to legisatc on
that subject and is thus responsible for its existence"
They accept the issue forced upon us by the slave
power and to its demand for more slave States and
slave territory, give the calm the final answer-no
more slave States and no more slave territory"
They finally, with great proproty, characterize the
late mis-named compromise bill, introduced into the
Senate as "an absolute surrender of the rights Of the
non-slave holders of all the States" and soemnly de-
clare" there must be no more compromises with
slavery" and "if made, they must be repealed"
To say that approve Of all this, is but faint and
inadequate expression of my sentiments. rejoice
that convention of intelligent treenen from the East,
the Middle, and the West, haye from so elevated and
commanding position, uttered such sentiments, and
declared such purposes 1t seems as though was
carried back TO the days of the Revolution and were
standing among the vehemted men who proclaimed
our Independence. The usurpaOns of the British
crown were not fragrant violation Of the rights
of Engishmen, than those Of the Slave power in the
United States have been in violation Of the spirit Of
our national compact and the rights of freedom under
it and in reference to those patons say, in the
language of the elder Adams, and the spirit OF the
Free SOL HiatIOfiI-" lBIepoHtCie HJU ana INGe}CH"
dence forever"
There is one part of the Platform which to me is
invested with special interest 1t is the resolution
that it is the duty of the Federal Government to
lieye itself from all responsibility for the existence or
continuance, of slavery, wherever it possesses C0nst
tutional authority to leglslate on that subject" 1t is
admitted that the nation is responsible for the exist
ence and continuance of saey and the slave trade
in the District OF Columbia, while the constitutional
ottbnrituD of Cnuurls- IN raIiaIo" a from, tc
sponsibly has long SINCE been admitted by the noml-
nee for the Presidency Of the Buffalo Convention
We have then, the pledge of the Convention that
all will be done TINT can con5tuonly be done to free
the nation from the responsibility OF slavery and the
slave trade in that District and we have the pedgt
Of Mr. Van Buren, in his acceptance Of the nomination
that should bill to that effect be passed by the two
houses of Congress he should not if President think
it within the line of his duty to arrest it, passage
By the exercise Of the veto power"
The way is thus, at length, open for the accomplish
ment of this long sought object:-a party solemnly
making it one Of the articles OF its Platform, and q
candidate for President pledged not to nterpose any
obstacle to the action Of the public will through the
two houses of Congress. What other party candI
date stands thus pedged?
And, now, what is the chief reason urged for refu
sing to unite in this great movement? 1t is, that Mr.
Van Buren, is the candidate for the Presidency. Car
yo,t am asked, go for Mr., Van Buren,, who voted II
1886 for the bill to prohibit the transmission through
the mails Of abolition publications,-who subsequent
ly pledged himself TO veto bill aboshng slavery Il
the District of Columbia, and who aided in the cleo
ton of Polk and by consequence helped to get us in
to the war with Mexico? In the name Of c0nssten
cy are you going for him? Yes, am. have here
tofore opposed him because believed he did wrong
| will now support him because believe he will d.
right Is there inconsistency in this ? Mr. Van Blu
rem is the nominee of the Buffalo Convention, and i
pledged to sustain its principles They are my prin
clples some of them long cherished. Is it ncOnsis
tent for to support the man who will support them
Can be consistent without doing it?
But can YOU trust him? Why not? Has he tn
reputation of being false to his pledges If So
have yet to learn it. He has been wrong | admit !
but so far know, it has been rather in his adhel
ence to pledges, than in violation of them. Fldelit
to the principles Of his party has, think, been alway
a cardinal point with him. | entertain no doubt thu
he would, if elected President faithfully carry out til
principles of the Platform, on the basis of which
has accepted the nomination.
But he has changed, am told, on this question
slavery extension; and changed because he did II
receive the nomination at Baltimore in 1874.
Now let it be remembered that it was for standiI
firmly on the ground of opposition to the anneXatl(
of Texas--in which the question Of Slavery eXtenst
was invovcd-,that he lost that nomination. His lie
ter to Mr.. Hamnett of Mississippi settled that que
tion. He had, while President, resisted the apple
ton of Texas for annexation, and, in his letter TO
lammett, stated his objections very decidedly
have looked into that letter, and do not wonder
failed to get southern support in the Convention.
The spirit of the letter may be gathered from
closing paragraph, in which he said
81 But can take no step to obtain the PresidenC
by which my ability to discharge its duties imparh
ly, and usefuly to every portion of our cou
try would be impaired; nor can |, in any oxtremi
be induced to cast a shade over the motives of
past life, by changes or concealmens of opinio
lnaturely formed upon great national question,
the unworthy purpose of increasing my chance
political promotion"
If Mr.. Van Buren, had said yield my opposit
to annexation, he would have been nominated.
far, then, from his changing because he did not
ceive the nomination, he failed to receive the noniI
ton because he would not change.
But he and his friends went, after all, for Polk
is said, and that did the mischief know it. II v
avery great error; but il less an evidence o
disposition to extend slavery, than it was an illust
ton of the strength of parycOhesioa, and Of the 81
posed obligation to support at all events party
inaton for which, by way think the wings Of
North, who are now supporting the Philadelphia nc