Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-09-14
THE TURN OF THE TIDE.

Unable in consequence of i'll health to attend
the Buffalo Convention, we have waited with no
slight degree of solicitude to hear the result of
its labors. Our fears in respect to it have been
expressed strongly in late numbers ofthe Era
We had been so often disappointed in our hopes
of general and harmonious concert of action
on the part of sreemen in behalf of liberty: we
had seen so much timidlty, evaslveness, and half
hearted folly on the part Of those whose profes
sions had raised hopes which their performances
Knocked and baffied, that we scarcely dared hope
that the members Of the Buffalo Convention
would have the wisdom and the courage to take
at once the position demanded by the crisis-to
plant themselves firmly on the platform of the
Declaration of Independence, and organize the
Party of the People, having for its central idea
the absolute and universal equality of human
rights.
Yet such has been the fact. The Convention
has noby performed its great mission. indie
pendent wings and democrats and Liberty men
have looked each other in the face, have heard
each others words g. laid aside all the preudces
and iealousies of the past, have joined hands a.
round common altar, and united in a common
VOW We have read the resolutions adopted by
the Convention with feelings of gratitude to God
LudL our vi OFll nave HOG pCCu ICdl~
lied; that our most sanguine anticipatlons of
good have been exceeded. They are satisfacto-
ry They cover the ground which it is necessa-
ny to occupy. Based on eternal Verities, the
free democracy can now bid defiance to the open
assaults or the secret Vaccinations of their ene-
mics.
In contemplating this glorious movement, we
are irresstibly reminded of the prophetic words
of William Leggett, See what three short years
have done in effecting the anfi-ndonopoly reform:
depend upon it, the next three years, or, if not
three, say three times three, if you please, will
work greater revolution on the slavery ques-
ton. The stream of public opinion now sets a.
gainst u.s. but at is about to turn, and the regur-
citation viH be tremendous This was written
in fall of 1898. The three times three years
have scarcely passed away, and the prediction
is fulfilled. The tone of the debates in Congress;
the growing Free Soil majority in the House of
Representatives; the passage of the Oregon'bill,
with the Wilmot proviso, in the Senate the UNI
paraeled gathering of freemen at Buffalo; the
unanimity of feeling and action, and the indo-
mitable zeal and enthusiasm there manifested
and the spontaneous outbursts of JOY with which
its results have been greeted throughout the free
states-all serve to show that the revolution has
commenced in good earnest-that the tide has
at last turned!
But the present time is too precious to be
wasted in selfcongratulations and idle exulta'
ton. A mighty work is to be done. The blow
struck so bravely by the Buffalo Convention must
be followed up. Throughout the length and
breadth of the land must be enkindled the en-
thusasm which pervaded that vast assemblage.
For ourselves, we cannot see how any one who
feels the necessity and realizes the glorious sign
iicance of this movement, can hesitate for one
moment to throw himself, heart and soul, into it.
Let the free Press work night and day, scatter
ing Truth and Light, with untiring perseverance
Let the Pulpit speak; let Christ's freemen preach