Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-10-09
The Cours to be Pursued by the
Friendso Freedom in Vermont.


As many ofthe earnest friends of freedom, or
those who maze opposition to slavery and its
aggressions paramount object, are these days
raising the question of the expediency of form
ing new organization, wherein they can more
efficiently cary out their principles than they
conceive themselves enabled to do under our
present organization in this State, it is time,
haps, TO examine the question thus raised, and
give our bet consideration to the subject.
The situation of the distinctive free soers
and liberty men of Vermont has been, since the
union of 1849, which resulted in the organiza-
ton of the two uniting portions under the name
of the free democracy, somewhat of peculiar
one, and different from that of those in any other
State.sr avery other State they have kept up
their distinctive 'nume und sebaratetorGa nization,
though sometimes temporarily acting with one
or the other of the old parties in local elections
Even in Massachusetts,, where a strong and eff
cient coalition has been formed between the free
soilers and democrats for State purposes, that
coalition has been confined to action in the leg
islature, while in the masses each party has kept
up its separate organization. But in Vermont
the masses Of these two parties have coalessed
ard become one integral party on free soil
platform. Yet, as such platform may have
been adopted by some of the democratic wing Of
the party as a matter of form, and by others in
reference to State elections, it has been no easy
matter to determine what portion of that wing
have become willing to make the anti. slavery
issues paramount in national action, and show
themselves in fact, as well as in form, the active
aud abiding defenders of freedom against the
gathering forces of the slave power. Some have
supposed this portion would prove small one
others have put it at half--and yet others at
large and decided majority. Which of these
may be nearest right, it will now soon be decid-
ed. The hour of temptation is at hand. The
next, or Presidential year, which is generally
sitter of the parties in this country, will deter
mine who are, and who are not willing and ready
to rehnqush all former party predictions, and
stand up manlully and do battle for freedom for
the sake of freedom.
In view of this approaching crisis, and the
signs of uneasness atterly exhibited in certain
quarters, many Of the friends of freedom have
supposed that new and separate organization
of the distinctive free soilers and liberty men,
would, another year, become indispensable 10 an
efficient prosecution of The great object which
they have all along steadily kept in view, and
which they deem now more than ever demands
their undivided attention.
But before deciding on so important move
ment, stfosid we not cast aUout us little, exam.
inc the platform on which we now stand, and es-
peclally the one on which we united for the
latter, we think, should be the one by which the
question Of the necessity of new organization
should be tested, that being still in force, and to
be claimed, by all who choose so to do, as the
basis of our united action. The platform on
which the union of the 3lst of May, 1849 was
effected was, it will be remembered, closely
modelled on the Buffalo platform, was distinct
lively and emnenty an anti slavery and free soil
platform, was drawn up wholly, we think, by
liberty men and free soilers themselves, and was
for aught we ever heard entirely acceptable to
the great mass of antislavery men through the
State. And it will also be remembered that the
democrats came on to this platform voluntarily
in body, and without asking, at that time, any
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alteration. And all the great and distinctive
free soil and antl.slavery features of this platform
have been kept up even to the last State Con-
vention at Burlington, the one or two added re-
latng not to the slavery question, but the old,
absolute party issues generally deemed Of little
consequence, and the only dissatisfaction mani.
tested arising not from the platform, but the con-
duct Of some protesting to act upon it, such as
the well meant, perhaps but mistaken attempt of
some to change the name under which we unit
ed and the disposition evinced by others to unite
with the national democrats in the coming Pres
dental election.
Now, under these circumstances what is the
most rational and expedent course for the free
soers of this State to pursue Shall they Or
ganize anew and leave platform of their own
making and liking, because there are still upon
it uneasy individuals who are tempted to swerve
from our principles and party in prospect Of ad-
vantages they promise themselves from support
inc national democratic candidate for Presi-
dent Shall they be driven from their platform
and otA of their organization in this manner, and
by the small minority who may have thus at
tempted to mislead them? Why not stand
where they are, insist on carrying out the prln-
ciples of the platform by which the whole party
still profess to be governed, and let the uneasy
and faithess go to their own? Why not let
all such go in peace 10 the national democracy,
as some have this year, and as perhaps more, but
but not majority of the democratic accession,
we think, may next year? Why not let them
90 and thus leave the rest of the free democracy
slted and tried party who will be true to the
great principles of freedom and the democracy
of Jefferson and Madison
Would not the leaving of the platform Of l849
and organizing ahe" NC oOnsuueu inVo al "u
mission that the platform was wrong? Would
il not lead to a scattering Of our forces which
wonld not otherwise take place, and the forego.
inc of many advantages which we now possess
bnt which we could then scarcely hope to re
gain? And would it not operate to the injury
of many prominent free sellers and liberty meT
now holding office by the liberality of the Dem
ocratic portion of the party?
We assume not the province of debating, ani
wish only to be understood as making sugges
tons which have occurred to us as we'll worthy o
the consideration of those who, like oursef, have
resolved that nothing shall prevent them from
+ making resistance to the now doubly alarming