Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-07-20
Free Soil Movement~Duty Of the Liberty
Party,

All ewes are now turned upon the Free Soil or Will
mot Proviso organizations which sprnging up 81
muaneously among hepeople all over the Free States
and the question is every day assuming more and
more practical Importance What is the proper course
for the Liberty Party to pursue in relation to this mat
ter? Can we so harmonlze with this movement as to
meet on common ground and unite all our energies
in the coming election against the candidates of the
Slavery propagandists? We assume in this matter,
to speak for no but ourscf; so far however, as
our information extends, express the sentiments of
the mass Of the Liberty friends in the State.
1t is with us a matter of heartfelt rejoicing and
devout gratitude that northern freemen are awakiDg
to the fact that American Slavery is oppressive and
encroaching beyond endurance, and that it has lain
fast hold of the two great political parties the in
struments of extending and perpetuating its dominon
but while we would most cheeruly sacrifice any and
every minor consideration under heaven to unite with
the enemies of Slavery extension, God forbid that we
should consent to union that should compromise any
of those essential and cherished principles that have
ever been our glory and strength, and which have
proved like the leaven hid in three measures of meal,
until it seems as if the whole about to be leaven
ed! Man-worship never belonged at our door; and
although we hold JOHN P. HALE in greater admra-
ton than any other man before the American people;
although by his intellectual and moral power by his
udicous and sefsacrifcng labors, he has succeeded
in the U. s. Senate in placing the organization Of
which he is the acknowledged standard-bearer, upon
moral eminence, towering as far above the schem
ing and heartless Vaccinations of the Slave power as
Chimborazo overtops the impossible gulf; although
we ardenty hope for the privilege of signying at the
ballot-box appreciation of one who has so nobly
and triumphany planted himself in the breach still,
could it be made TO appear that any other would
concentrate strength upon the well-defned plat
form of faithful Of all constitutional po,cer for the
restriction AND DESTRUCTION Of american SaUery-wc
would unhesatingy surrender preference for men
to stronger attachment for principle. And we doubt
not that the same spirit which induced John P. Hale,
before a frowning world, to plant himself upon the
despised principle of the Liberty Party, would lead
him to prefer the success of that principle to any per-
sonal consideration involved in nomination for the
Presidency.
In our judgment Liberty men cannot unite in the
free soil movement upon the simple basis of opposi-
ton to Slavery extension. Justice to ourselves, to our
Savery-ridden land, and to the millions of crushed
slaves, forbds it If Slavery be that accused thing
whose sygean waters should never be allowed to over
whelm and backen our free territory, then, surely
consistency and the highest considerations of mora
principle require us to stop nothing short of the utmost
verge of constitutional power for its abolition And
the question whether Liberty men can fraternize with
the free soil movement, turns entirely upon the ticket
nominated, rather the platform laid down. by the
Buffalo Convention. We have believed, and still hope
that John p Hale will be the nominee of that Con
vention, for we confidently believe that he now pos
sesses degree of popularity among the in the
free States thatis not enjoyed by any other Ant
to this end we hope the Liberty party will be largely
represented in that Convention and urge upon its
sderaton the high constitutional ground occupied b.
the Liberty Party. The people are fully prepared 70
this and nothing short ,OM meet the erigencies Of III
case. However, should Mr. Van Buren, be the nomi
nee of that Convention, and platform erected CORE
spending to the position taken in his Utica letter. i
which If read it rightly he req6ims the ,COrs pro
slrvery acts of his administration the Lbert
Party is bound by every consideration of moral prin
ciple, consistency and true expedency, to retain il
present organization and candidates. and labor
esty and hopefully for success-thereby preserving
nucleus around which all true and consistent friend
Of human liberty may unite and ultimately prevail
not his year. as soon as Truth can triumph over Ere
in free and open encounter.
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