Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-08-10
Free Soil State Convention.

We had the pleasure of attending the Free Soil
Convention, at Middlebury, Tuesday of last week,
the proceedings of which will be found in another CO.
umn; and it was such privilege as we have seldom
enjoyed. Nearly or quite one thousand of the most
intelligent and respectable citizens of the State from
every political party,-notwithstan Ethe extremely
busy season of the year,-apparently actuated by a
union and harmony of spirit, and strength of pur-
pose, such have rarely witnessed, met together
to strike hands against that giant Power which has
driven thinking and honest men of all parties into the
belieand corresponding of action that resist
ance to tyranny is obedience to God. The Conven-
ton composed, should Judge, in the greatest
proportion, of seeding Democrats-the movement
having originated WITH and the Convention called by
them; Notwithstanding a goodly number of prominent
Wings were present and manifested deep sympathy IN
the movement. Most sincerely do we wish that every
Taylor Wing in the State could have heard the pow
erfu appeal of Gov. SIade, and the pathetic remarks
of the venerable Horace Everett in justification of his
opposition to the abomnabe fraud of the Philadelphia
Convention. Not one of them, we are confident could
so far forget his duty to his country his race and his
own sofrespect, as to set his seal of appreciation tc
the iniquitous transaction.
We were glad to see goodly number of our promi-
nent Liberty present, with an apparent berality
and cathocity of spirit which should put to rest the
oft repeated charge of bgotry, lliberaty, exclusive
ness, and close communion" Liberty men have
ever protested a willingness to extend the hand o
fellowship to all such would take consistent anti
slavery ground and hence their presence their sym
pathy, and action upon this occasion. Nor do we be
lieve we do injustice to any one when we say that
disposition universally prevalent to take high an
Incorporating ground, not only against slavery eX
tension but to every constitutional means for slave
ry extinction; STILL the majority of the business com
mittee and the Convention, deeming the whole questio
involved in the single of slavery extension, an
earnestly desiring to harmonize with the Free So
movement throughout the Free States, and render
vigorous support to the nominees of the Buffalo Cor
vention, advised to make other test than opposite
to the extension Of sIau@y; although the right and dut
of Congress to abolish slavery in the District of CO
lumbia was fully expressed In narrowing down tn
absolute platform to the single point of slavery restrc
ton we think the Convention msjudged, and frank
told them so. Nothing permanent will be gained
it. while consistency Of principle and moral power wi
be deprecated.
The nominees of this Convention are generally me
in the pine of life, and are, perhaps, good repre-
sentatives of the New Movement as could have bee
selected. Mr. Skater has acted invariably with tt
Liberty Party since its organization and has for mar
years been its candidate for Congress. He is a ma
of unblemshed character and decided ability. NJ
Poland has hitherto acted with the democratic part
but now heartily embraces the Free Soil principle
and contends not only for the restriction, but dest
ton, of slavery. The same is true of Mr.. Stansbur
save that he has belonged to the Wing party.
Now, for the practical question,-what is the du
of Liberty men with reference to this Nomination
We were i'll hopes the worthy candidates of the Libe
ty Party, now in the field, would have been adopte
No better and frner friends of Free Soil be foul
in the State But the Convention while they expires
: ed willingness to support our candidates. neverh
a less deemed it most expedient to make entire ne
e nomination. With regard to the course of Lber
y men, we dictator but, for ourselves, desi
It to know whether this organization be reli
o upon further than for the restriction of slavery
we suppose this question will be decided at Buffa
e We wait the result of that Convention. God era
it may come fully up to the exigences oft the time
the spirit of the age