Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-02-03

er for the overthrow of slavery, and of the ques-
ton of his fitness to pioneer the struggle for Lib
crty which is upon us.
" Mr., LaviS' L tt0
"CINcINNATI, November ), l947
DEAR SIR In discharge of q duty devolv
ing upon me by resolution of the National
Liberty Convention, (held at Buffalo, New Y ork,
on the Goth and 2lst October last) | have the
honor to inform you that you were nominated by
that Convention as the candidate of the Liberty
party for President of the United States at the
Presidential election to be held in lS49.
With assurance of my personal reg ud, re-
main, very respectfully, yours,
"SAMUGL LEWIS
"Hoa j. p. Haie,"
" VI, Halts RepN
"WAsmNGToN. january |, 1S49.
SIN: Yours of the 9Th Of November, notify
inr me that the Convention holden at Buffalo, on
the Goth ana 2lst of October last, had presented
my name to the People of the United States as
a candidate for the Office Of President of the
United States, is before me.
{" 1t is due to candor to say, that while | ap-
prcciatc in its fullest extent the favorable cstlma
ton Of myself by the members of that Conven-
ton, indicated by the nomination, were | to con-
suit my own wishes, should poremptorily de-
cline it. Difference, however, to the opinion of
those friends who have sustained me by their
counsel and support, under circums ances and
at times well calculated to test the ardor of their
zeal and the sincerity of their professions, has
induced a different determination, and ! there
fore accept the offer, and consent that my name
may be thus used in connection with that office
In announcing to you, sir, as the official
organ Of that body, this result to which | have
come, allow me to add, that as that Convention
before its adjournment, made provision for the
assembling OF another of a similar character
should unforeseen contingencies and emergen-
ces render such a step proper, nothing would be
more grateful to my own feelings than TO find
the good and true of every party, torgetfu Of the
petty differences which have heretofore divided
them uniting together in one strenuous and en-
ergetic effort to redeem the Government of the
Uuitcd States from the reproach 10 which it is
now justly subject, for its support of human
slavery, and the present unjust and aggressive
war it has 50 wantonly commenced and is so
rclentlessly prosecuting, for its eXteson, and
perpetuity.
Whenever such movement shall be made
IN good faith and earnest purpose, | shall be most
Sldd WIN VIC CVIl2Chl vi CiI''cC !llClluo WIZ lfC
placed my name before the People, to enrol my
self among the humblest priyates in the hosts
who will rally under such a banner. am not
without hope that such a movement may yet be
made
d" 1t is sometimes expected of an individual,
when accepting nomination for an important
office, no matter how remote the chances of his
election, that he give some exposition Of the
principles he entertans, and the views of public
policy by which he proposes to act
" In accordance with such a supposed expcc-
taton, will cheerfully say to you, sir, that |
coincide with the principles of the resolutions
adopted by the Convention which made the NOM
nation
1t has been suggested to me, and indeed
have private letters to the same effect that
doubts have been expressed to some extent, and
perhaps much more generally entertained than
expressed whether really aud truly am Lib
crty party man, and belong to the Liberty party,
and that it is expected Of me that, in this COM
munIcation, | should clear up and solve those
doubts To do this, it is necessary definitely to
understand what is ment by the question If by
it it be intended to ask whether I am ready to
cooperate with those who, by independent, Or
gained, and individual action, are striving tc
carry out certain principles, such as those en-.
bodied in the resolutions of the Buffalo Conven.
ton, who desire to withdraw from the institution
of slavery that support which it unconstitution-
ally receives from the General Government, and
seeks its termination, by Federal action where il
exists under Federal jurisdiction, and State &C.
ton where it exists under State authority, SC
that our Declaration of independence shall be
something more than rhetorical flourish, anc
the preamble of the United States Constitution
which declares, among other things that it was
ordained to secure the blessings of liberty tc
ourselves and our posterity, no longer be a crue
mockery, then do bei3ng to such party. But
if it be supposed or inteaded that there is to be
any magical influence in the name OF party, sc
that by joining it thereby subject nj pu2!!f
conduct to the supervision or direction OF it,
officers or committees, then ! say, most EN-
phatlcay, do not belong to any such party.
" have been once formally and soemnll
read ont of the Democratic party, who make
such high professions of regard for human right
by.a State Convention in New Hampshire, ant
regularly accommodated, for no reason eXcep
refusal to vote for measure calculated ant
designed. by the open declaration of its friends
"to uphold the interests OF slavery, extend it
influence, and secure its permanent ascendency,
and | am not anxious to place myself speedily il
a situation in reference to any other party wheI
any of its members may fancy they have tn
moral right to repeat the experiment upon me
for any cause, real or fancled.
Besides, to my mind the great evil of tn
present day, and of our own country, eminent
is this universal disposition to merge the respon
sibities of individual character in the irrespon
sblity of party. Were it not for this, W
could have permanent and honorable peac
with Mexico in less than three months but /
their blind partisan devotion, men forget thu
there is God higher than the party, or a rule {
morals other than political expedency
at is unnecessary for me further to enlarg
on this subject
"This present session of Congress with til
Developments which arc constantly in progress
will afford abundant opportunity for those VIII
feel an interest in the subject, IN addition
what have already spoken and written, to
informed of my sentiments on the great practices
questions of the day.
q, W.T.. rocpocf I am Vour friend an