Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-07-22

nary circumstances which then SUR Inded the
advocates of freedom called toge .ier mighty
host. On the memorable mint. Of August OF
that year, fifty thousand freeman met IN solemn
conyocation. There were men OF distlncton'
men of intellect, statesman and phanthropists'
They were conscious of the responsibility rest
ing upon them. In framing confession OF
their political faith they laid its foundations up
on the enduring, eternal principles OF Justice
The equal right of all men to enjoy llfe' lDerty'
and happiness constitutes the basis OF our creeu'
and the next article asserts " That Governments
arc constituted among men 10 secure these rlghIS.,
All our action under the Constitution should
be to protect the life and liberty Of every human
being within our exclusive jurisdiction. Slnat
our legislative powers in this District, on the
high seas, in our Territories, should bH exerted
10 secure every being who bears Gods lmage'ln
his right to lite and liberty, instead OF establish
ing and sustaining oppression and slavery,
q ere, sir at this point, an issue between US anu
the other parties, deep and broad, Is presented
And from this position the friends OF humanity
will never depart en-,
1t is an important fact, that neither the wing
no democratic party profess to pay any respect
or attention TO moral principles In their legisIa-
ton. BY their practice they deny the resPon-
sbity of human action 80 far as polltlcs are
concerned. They hold that members OF THIS
BODY may pass laws which deprive our fellow
men of life or liberty, and that those who enact
such laws are not morally guilty OF enslavlng or
numbering their feloE.men. We, sir, hold that
those who enacted the Fugitive Slave Law are
as guilty in the sight Of God and good men as
they would, be were they themselves to seize
white ~aan, pit ce irons uPv" Sis Ambs and send
him to. sSdVery without law IN Sue, 5rIn.os,
we, the advocates OF freedom, wtll not partlci-
pate. One Of our resolutions adopted at BntA-'
10 was in these words
"Resolped, That it is the duty of the Federal
Government to relieve itself from all responsible
iiy for the eriStenoe or continuance OF Slavery
wherever At possesses constitutional authority to
legisldte on that subject"
This resolution is in direct and unqualified
conflict with the entire policy of the Wing and
Democratic parties relative to slavery. 1t is in
conflict with the platforms of those parties, to
which | have called attention. Basing our
whole political action upon the plalnest princ
niles of Justice, liberty, and humanity, we chal-
enpe examination, discussion, agitation. We
seek to cover up nothing to keep nothing from
the popular ear. The more you examine and
discuss our doctrines and policy, the better are
we pleased.
We, sir would drive the slave question from
discussion in this Hall. 1t never had a conSti
tuonal existence here. Separate this Govern
ment from all interference with slavery let the
Federal power wash Its hands of that insitu-
ton; let us purify ourselves from its contagion
leave it with the States, who alone have the
power to sustain it; then, sir, will agitation
cease in regard to 1t here; then We shall have
nothing to do with it, our time will no more be
occupied with it, and, like a band of freemen, a
band of brothers, we could meet here, legisIate
for the prosperity, the improvement of mankind,
for the elevation of our race.
Mr.. Chairman, have served in this Hall some
fheeu years. During that period, think at
least two thirds Of the time Of this body has
been occupied by the subject of slavery, and
other matters connected with that institution -
For the last three years we can scarcely be said
to have done any thing else but discuss and leg
slate for slavery. This, sir, is all wrong
Slavery is local institution, existing only IN u
portion Of the States. The attempt TO national
lie it is unwarranted and unconstitutional. To
do this is now the object of both the Wing and
Democratic parties. Against these attempts,
we, the Free Democracy, wage unceaslng, I'M
dying, unyiedng, hostility. This war we shall
never give up. We shall neser lay aside our
arms until victory shall crown our efforts ; until
i-Lssvetpgaks shell. hasa9 AfoffA eG6d ID All
places, we have sworn eternal hostility. Our
sympathy for suffering humanity Is broad as
, creation, reaching to all cmes, and embracing
, all WHO bear the image Of our Creator. 70 per-
secuted Hungary we tender the assurance thai
we feel tor those in bonds as bound with
q them" On this subject the Democrats have
I spoken oracularly.
g The Wings talk about 'cntangling alliances
and standing on foreign soil" but they dare not
take distinct issues on the propriety of exeTtng
, our moral power, our political Influence. TO main.
4 tain the law Of nations. Substantially, both
8 Wings and Democrats are opposed 10 us on this
3 subject. They would permit Russia or Austria
to swallow up Hungary, without any protest or
expression OF our disapprobation. We sympa.
r thze with the oppressed of all nations; and we
} the Free Democracy, literally constitute the par.
, ty Of progress. AT Buffalo we adopted the pol
} icy OF cheap postage for The people," and in
} scribcd it upon our banner, and unfurled ii to
the breeze. We foresaw the advantages of in.
creasing the facilities of communication among
the masses, and determined to confer upon our
country these benefits, while Wings and Demo.
crates were too timid to take position either or
or against It.
l am aware that we are often charged with
: being men of one idea-indeed we are some.
times called the party of one idea and refer
to these facts to vndcute ourselves from thai
charge. We dared go where neither party were
willing to follow US, nor to oppose us and in
less than three years the correctness Of our pos
lton has been acknowledged before the coun
: try.
r LANDS for the poor, homes for the destitute
! free of expense to all who will inmigrate to the
West, was another article in our polIllcal creed
10 this policy neither the Wing nor Democrat
lc party dared express their consent nor dared
they oppose it. At this session a bill, CARVING
out our views on this subject passed this body
by vote Of nearly two to one The Senate
will doubtless comply with the popular will oil
the nation by passing this measure OF beneyo.
lence, which will cause thousands of hearts to
swell with gratitude and Joy. Sir, the Free De
} mocracy believe that Government were formed
} to protect, elevate, and render our race. our
} whele FRsssfnere haPpy.--Fh0t-Tg our duty as
statesmen as phIlanthropists as Christians so far
as we have constitutional power " to raise up the
bowed down." "to exalt the humble" "" to in.
form the ignorant" ito comfort The distressed. ,
and increase the prosperity and happiaess Of all
who come within the sphere of our political. our
moral, or our religious influence. OF course
we are hostile to those Compromise measures
which the Wings and Democrats are pledged to
sustain.
; In l848 nearly three hundred thousand free.
men cast their votes for our Presidential can
dldates Since that PERIOD our moral und poit-
cal powers has greatly increased. Probab one
third of the members on this floor are indebted
to men who sympathize with US for their seats,
and many were elected solely and entirely
upon our principles. Three members of the
Senate were elected as Free Democrats, while
others are partially indebted to the votes of
the Free Democracy. In several States Legisla.
lures we hold the balance of power : but this