Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-12-26

aggressive; while the antagonistc movement,
under the varying names of ABoLITIoNIsTs'
LIBERTY MEN, ,FREE Sellers, and Free De-
MoCRACY, has been, as the instincts of humanl-
ty justice and patriotism have rightly prompted,
correspondlngly increased and strengthened.
Such, as we trace its history, is the origin of
of the anti-slavery party, and such the causes
of its increase and continuance.
This being considered, we next inquire what
are the principles on which this party is based ?
This is soon answered. The answer, indeed, is
involved in the history the party itself. Their
principles are but the principles Of the Declare
ton Of Independence. With that instrument,
they hold that all men, whether white or black,
are created equal-that their right to liberty is
as fixed and unalienable as their right to life and
the pursuit Of happiness, and that, consequently,
that portion of the people who were excluded
from the enjoyment of such rights, are as clear
" and fully entitled to them as any and all those
who were practically embraced in their opera
ton These are their principles, and this then
platform ;-principles and platform Just as
broad, and just as national, as the Declaration Of
independence, and the Constitution established
to ensure the observance of it's truths, and uu
one ota less so.
And lastly, what are the objects Of their or.
ganizaton Simply to carry out in practice
what has been established in theory-to fulfil
the understanding and pledge of the trainers o
our Bill of Rights for the speedy execution o
Its provisions in the only respect in which it hat
been left imperative. And they take up the
work where Washington, Jefferson and Madi
son lett it for, with those great and wise states
men, they believe that slavery is wholly incom
pahble with our institutions, and great wrong
to Its victims-that it is canker inthe core Of gu
republic which must be eradicated or the Who'll,
system will perish, and therefore, it sthe bound
en- duty of all to use every constitutional mean
to curtail, and finally abolish it. Their objects
then, are only to make the theory and practic'
of our government consistent, to accomplish
"Oih vi huliOiul JuotlSO' anu W
destroy-tbe Union.
Such are principles and their objects fifth
former are wrong, and of no general application
then those of the Declaration are Soft tn
latter make them sectonalsts, then Washing
ton, Jefferson. and Madison were sectionalists
Where, then, is the justice of charging tn
Freesoil party with being sectional party P
Are not their purposes dictated by a patriotism
at least as enlarged, and are not their object
at least as elevated in scope, and as national i
character, as those of any other party of the day
We see not how the affirmative Of these CUES
lions could be more strongly established tina
they are by the views and facts we have pr,
scented.
Stand forth, then, We maligners of the adv,
Gates of national progress in Freedom, and e
3 your own words, or confess that vouropposi
IT doctrines are intended 10 contraveue the teac
g iugs OF our political fathers and to lead us ba
from the eminence they taught us how to urta
CT down the road to darkness and despotism