Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-12-27
A WORD TO OUR PATRONS.

A WORD TO OUR PATRONS.
With this number the present volume closes,
and with Ia country paper, especially where there
are 81 many, it is important that suitable eX"r-
tions should be maze to secure its support
llnheho the Freeman has received generous
support in this State. not only from Free Soil
men, rs such. but from others. The position of
pnlties in Vermont at TIE present time a,e such,
and each party having so many papers devoted
TO It's sulWt. that some OF our anli-slavery
frlet DIS might think it Of little or no consequence
which OF The many they sustain.
The necessity of an Independent anti-slavery
political organization, which would bring togelh
er and concentrate all the anti slavery sentiment
in the country, and band together the truthful
and true friends Of freedom against the one grand
enemy Of the human race, has been well under
~ st cd q. d pr,,ciiced nrG- - ''ar7rl ss'
the last Presidential election, circumstances
seemed to indicate disposition on the part of
the Northern portion of the Democratic party,
en- maSSc, 10 take such an organization. This
was subject of rejoicing to those men who had
labored and sacrificed. in behalf of Our country,
ard the oppressed But we would not disguise
the fact that recent developments have EXHIBIT
cd different state Of things. The slave power
has been silently at work ever vigilant and Oh
the alert, lest some infraction should be made TIP
on their long held and illgoten power; it has
again asserted its supremacy over both the wing
and democratic parties, and the Northern por-
ton of the old democratic party as eyinced by
the course Of their Representatives in the pres
ent Congress, has again sunk into the filthy EN-
brace of the slave power, ready to perform its
ablrct and servile work II ever there was
necessity for an independent anti-slavery party
and press, that necessity exists at the present
time in all imperative degree. 1t is humiliat
ing reflection, and one not to be denied, that
while the masses are true, the leaders are NOV
ed by surrounding circumstances, rather than by
any fixed principles Neither is it TO be denied,
that there is a manifest disposition on the part
of some, who never act upon any set ed princi.
pie Except it be that of expedency) to fall back
into their original party elements, with the VAN
hope Of saurating and converting the "Naton-
al party to great anti-slavery party"
Experience has demonstrated, that just in pro-
portion as expedeucy becomes the rule o. nc
ton in any party, just in thu proportion priHci
pie is lost slght Of Neither is II to be denied,
that men who are governed by expedency views
in any organization, are inclined to lower down
the standard OF principle. 1t is so in religious
things,-it is so in politics. Hence the danger
of losing sight of the one great idea upon which
she anti slavery organization was first founded
Ii was tbs accused expediency policy which
established slavery. 1t is this, which has led the
free States into the meshos of the slave power
10 SUCH an extent, that the Union is now threat
ened. 1t is this party expediency which has
contributed to the election Of snnfhern slavehold.
ers for Presidents. 1t is this doctrine Of eXpedi
ency which has led the Free Soil party in some
fthe tStates, to anuihilate ITSELF and become les
in Iunkcrism. The men who led in these un
fortunate Steps, knew no higher rule Of aclon.-
They never had any fixed principle Of antl-silve'
ry sentiment in their hearts, apd hence the mis-
guided unfortunate course and results. But
because there are evidences Of nfdelity in these
men Of expediency, (who never should be permit
ted 10 advise and control any party, for they CONE
in on the ground of cxpcdeney) Is 1t any reason
why anti slavery men should faiter? is it a rea
son why their labor should cease? Is it reas
on why their organs should be lefttO fall? Is j
reason why the banner Of freedom should b.
fulIeI, and the Sentinel leave his post. Is ii
reason why the black curse Of slavery shou,
extend itself until, the sun of liberty should b.
clouded, and its light extlnguished' Is it rea
son why the stihed grouns Of the millions oi on
oppressed raeO should not find Judgment in tn
benevolent hearts Of anti-slavery men9 No, NJ
never!
The South are now setting us the example Q
holding on 70 the one idea, with death like tie
nacity. John 2. Hale said truly, when be Do
.clarsd N tic Sepate, chat " both ofthe two grea