Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-06-19

is both a tried Free Soller and a sagacious poll
tician.-ED.
For the Freeman.
What does the Crisis Demand?
Hon. d, P. THoMPsoN:-There seems 10 be
a trouble in the MINDS of some Democrats about
loosing their "ide6tity,"-a fear that a struggling
few of Hunker Slaveocrats may be declared the
" simon pure" Democrats of Vermont, and con-
troll all the Offices under the General Govern
ment, if democratic President should be elect
ed in 1852. 1t strikes me that 1t is not best to
spend much time OF ink about that matter at
present. Let US fight the battle of 1851, and
take care of 1852 when the time comes.
1t is a matter of record that the Democratic
party in Vermont 10 l847 adopted the " Wilmot
Proviso y at a regularly organized State Con
~vention. That in 1849, at a like Convention,
they establishedwhat may be regarded as the
SHELTER covenadt." | was not present at either
of those Convictions; but, as a member of the
party, having Dine service in their ranks for
twentv-one yeas, | felt bound to adhere to and
carry outi4 esd faith their doings. The great
mass of DeaocAats in Vermont took the same
view of the &biect, and adopted the same
course notw Standing at the time of the Con-
ventions alludN 10 they were at home attending
to their farmstla workshops.
Under thesS& "Reminiscences it seems to me
that it i'll becovx a few of those who actually
attended the 9 Invention of '49, took part in its
deliberatioEs, 4ad4cquiesced in its doings al
the time, to CON sout afterwards as boilers, gel
a few others tokjoin them, and then set them
selves up as thJ Democratic party of Vermont
Such a course leems to exhibit more brass thar
mode8ty. But Hprinciple" is the main thing tc
contend for, and if two sets of delegates should
be elected in 1859 to a National Convention
this scramble for the name may then be disposed
of.
| am inclined, further, to think that specuIa.
ting upon candidates for the Presidency, by al
expression of preferences at the present time
is rather premature and calculated to make mis-
chief. The great question is not, who is to be
the person? but what will be his CONNECTIONS O
duty ? by what principles will he be governed
If the Cass doctine on the slavery question il
to be promulgated, or if the doctrine that every
man must swear fealty to the Fugitive Slav
Law and silently submit to the extension Of Sla
very is to be the creed, it matters not whethe
the candidate be Houston, Buchanan, Woodbu
ry, or any other name,-his supporters amongs
the honest yeomtnry of Vermont will be scarce
The name of BENTON, with a knowledge of hi
past services, and, more than all, his sacrifice
in contending with the ultra slave power Of tn,
South, would probably be more acceptable t.
the Democrats Of Vermont than either of tn,
names before mentioned. But may it not be a
well to let this question as to candidates alone
for the harmony of the party, and look after tn.
present campaign in our W State ?
There is a difference of opinion among Dem
%ocrats, about the constltutionality of the Fugi
tive Slave Law. A large majority in this State
probably, think it unconstitutional others thin
differently. This is an important matter, to b.
sure, and should be settled in the right way :
but there is a proper tribunal to settle the ques
ton, and when settled, right or sOrong, it viii
probably be submirsd to. The great question
for us to settle is this, is the law right? and a
we decide this qutstion, so let US act. If an,
one thinks it a q law, he is bound 10 sustain
NJ. On mo other hsad, every one that believe
it to be a bad law should exert his infuenc,
a gainst it. The great question of right is lef
for the people 10 decide.
Very unjust and oppressive laws may be con
stitutional. A few years since, we had a law il
Vermont that incarcerated the body of the poor
debtor. No one doubted its constitutionality
but many believed it to be unjust, and the Leg
lslature, under the appreciation of the people
have wiped it from the Statute Book. A law
authorisIng hanging for theft and other inferior
crimes, might be constitutional, but ought to be
discarded by all civilized nations of the earth.
Letting these questions pass then, let US all 60
to work exposing the unrightous acts of the
present Administration-Whig professions when
out of place, compared with their practice when
in power. Their horror on account Of officers
of the government interfering in elections and
mingling in political discussions when out of of.
flee, with every officer, from the Secretary OIL
State down to the petty Post Master, on the
stump when in power. Their unbounded de-
votion to freedom when out of place, with a liv.
ing example of the most pro,slavery Admins
'%rotion that ever disgraced the nation now in
power Let US, above all, be true to ourselves,
faithfully and fe%arlessly contending for the doc
irines we embrace, especially the great and
leading one of human rights, and, sooner or
later, victory awaits US for truth is mighty and
,CW prevail! R.