The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-08-02
From the Anti-Slavcry Standard;
THE LIBERTY PARTY.

We are likely at last to see the end of that
pestent abortion, the Liberty Party. Its
leaders are making preparations to transfer
themselves and their adherents to the follow
ing of Martin Van Buren,. There are, 10
be sure, certain passages in the history of that
gentleman which are not easily forgotten, nor
easily overlooked by those who profess to be
Aboiitonists,-stc as his pledge to veto any
bill for the abolition of Slavery, in the Dis
trict, while President his casting vote, when
Vice President, to establish a sIaveholding
censorship of the Press ard bis efforts TO
return the Amistad captives to the Cuban
man thieves but these, we apprehenG, will
prove no stumbhrg-blocks in the way of the
political aspirants who have hoped to make
the Liberty Party a stepping-stone for their
own rising The editor of the Era, who has
distinguished himself not unfrequently, in
his Lessons of Anti-Slavery-made easy, has
started as pioneer in the new path opened
for himself ard his friends, by explaining
those acts of Mir. Van Burens to which We
have referred, in way, VIC will venture to
say, which Mr.. Van Buren, himself never
thought Of IIe-the editor of the Era -
discovers in the ex-president's late letter
certain ambiguity in his reference to the sub
ject of Slavery in the District which, were
it correct, would add immensely to his repu-
tation for peculiar talent in saying what he
did not mean. The Era is not sure whether
Mr.. Van Buren,, in sayfng-in reference to
the abolition of Slavery in the District-that
he was, when a candidate for the Presidency,
opposed to such abolition, for reasons which
were and still are satisfactory" to his mind,
means that the reasons sceTe satisfactory, Men,
or are now Ind although he acknowledges
this is not n very obvious construction, Owe
should think notD yet he thinks there is
room for doubt. So with regard to the cast
ing vote in the Senate; that he thinks was
given merely as matter of courtesy, and
being only to secure the second reading Of
the bill, was no indication of a real opinion.
OF the vessel sent to take the Amistad cap
tives. in case the decision Of the Court should
have been against them, he wisely says moth
ing. Unfortunately, that act was not embar-
raised by any Parliamentary forms, and can
hardly bear moro than one construction, I'M
less the Era can suppose her to have been on
fishing excursion off Newport. We COM
mend the hint to him, and promise not to
claim it as ours, if he takes it,
The Era is seconded by some other third
party papers, all of which, however, find
some difficulty in boiling Mr. Van Buren,
without some previous preparation. But if
the Buffalo Convention will take young
mans advice, and put upon their ticket with
Mr.. Van Buren's the name az some one who
has never proved himself absolutely hostile
to the abolition movement they may be sure
of receiving the Liberty party vote. Nor
will it require very large tub to catch such
whale.
But we have no intention Of quarrelling
with the Liberty Party for its suicidal policy
To cut its own throat will be the wisest thing
it ever did yet, and thing to be thankful for
even if it did it without q reason. That il
should do a reasonable thing is more than we
ever expected of it, and We are, therefore
not only agrecably disappointed, but graft
fed
The present position Of the party settle:
another question - that the long standing
quarrel the old organization has had with il
has been necessary and just. Our difference
with the Liberty Party, as such, has been, no
that it aimed to do, and might do, certain
things to hasten the downfall of slavery, bu
that it protested to be par excellence, the Anti
Slavery movement Such it never was, ant
never could be. Even if successful it never
could abolish Slavery. By protesting to d.
SO it has stood in the way of the Anti-Sayery
cause, by shifting the issue. We call it now
in its new position, as witness against itsel
in its past protensions, and point to that posi-
ton as proof of the necessity of our hostiiit.
to it, and that the only real abolition move
ment is now, as it always has been. in tn
American Anti-Slavery Society.