Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-12-28
VOL. V. NO. 50.

been the rallying note of the contest which has
Just closed. That a good beginning would be
made this year, no one doubted; but that the
government could be delivered from the control
of the Slave Power, and regenerated and reform.
ed, and established on truly republican basis,
in single campaign, the most sanguine in our
ranks never dreamed.
Generally speaking, all that we anticipated has
been accomplished. Fewer votes may have been
given, than we at one time hoped-fewer candi-
dates elected, than there would have heen had
not corruption come to the aid of detection
But permanent organization has been effect
ed, and three hundred thousand men, in spite Of
wheeding and threats, have sanctioned it by.
their suffrages. Our firmness has compelled both
branches of our opponents at the North, to pro-
fessedly adopt our cardinal principle of Gree
soil, - as the only means Of holding their forces
together; and we have aided to place the success
full presidential candidate in popular minority
of two hundred thousand votes in the free states.
We have taught trading politicians Of both par
ties the lesson, which they will not soon forget.
that there is point beyond which party disc-
pline and the plea Of Irregular nominations"
cannot force large mass of intelligent and con-
scientious voters. We have aided in breaking
down the Wing majority in two Of the most in-
variable Wing states in the Union, Massachusetts
and Ohio, teaching corrupt leaders that they
must hereafter claim the suffrages of the people
on higher ground than the doctrine of avalibil-
ity. By aiding to PROSTATE the Democracy in
two of the most reliable democratic states in the
Union, New York and Pennsylvania, we have
taught its leaders that the race Of doughfaces is
extinct, and that bowling the knee to the slave
power is not the way for its candidates to win
the respect and support of Northern freemen--
We have so impregnated the public sentiment
with the truth and reasonableness of our leading
idea, that Is the free soil of California and New
Mexico is preserved for free men and free labor,
all candid minds will admit that the moral posi-
ton and political action of the Free Democracy,
in 1S48, accomplished the work. as all such
minds now admit, that to the Buffalo movement
the people of Oregon are indebted for free insti-
tQtions. And, more than ALL the discussions of
this campaign, excited and sustained by us, have
convinced large majority OF the people of the
North, and no inconsiderabe numbers at the
South, that the march of the slave power must
be arrested, its aggresslens resisted its influence
undermined, and its overthrow at no distant day
completed. 1t is source of congratulation to
all who would see the new party of I946, truly
national in its character, and vide envughiinqts
scope to embrace all needed mss tint odd
principles and measures aFeapti numerous;
and our organization sutficent excessive, K
redeem us from the charge os being either "a
sectional party" or ga party b 1e iaea.
So much, then for the results ofthe first cam
paign. The future is suspicious. Cassism is
PROSTATE; and all that is really democratic in its
: broken and displrited organization, must unite
with us. Tayorism is victorious through apa
pable cheat. 1t has played double game on the
question of slavery extension. The party must
split in pieces on the rock of the Proviso. AL
r that is reformatory in the fragments will unite
with the party ofprogress.
The best spirit pervades our ranks. The free
: soil papers In this state are sounding the trumpe
u for rally on the basis of the Buffalo Platform
THERE'S no fatering in the army of freedom
f.; Let US maintain our organization, stand by GU
n principles, repose confidence in each other, anG
o move forward.
\ We cannot dismiss this subject without saving
few words concerning Mr. Van Buren, Hav
ing attained the highest position in the nation
with all his ambitious feelings gratiied, warm il
the affections of great party, living in an hon
ored retirement, aloof from all political strife
$ he entered the field and buckled on his armo
Il anew in defence Of great principle Of Human
IS Freedom, drawing down upon his head tn
e trowns of old friends and the bitterest caumnie
e that ever assailed public man, in the midst q
q all which he calmly and firmly maintained hi
= lofty position. An impartial posterity will re
gard this contest as the most glorious era in tn
10 life of Martin Van Buren,. S.