Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-07-15
Massachusetts Free Soil State
Convention and Chase's Letter.


One of the greatest and most enthusiastic
Conventions ever held in the country, was held
OF Worcester, Mass, on the 9Th inst. The del
egates were set at 1900. Hon. Stephen G.
Phillips, of Salem, presided. Resolutions of the
most decided and at the same time Of The most
elevated character, we're passed, breathing, as
did the whole proceedings, spirit of stern re-
sistance to the platforms and nominees Of both
the old parties, and determination to pcrsevere
for freedom for the sake of freedom, John P
Hale attended, and was received with immense
cheering. Letters were read from Charles Al
Zen, J. R. Giddings Charles Sumner, and Sal
mon P. Chase. As some question has been
raised about the probable course of Senator
Chase in the coming presidential campaign, we
give below his noble letter entire.
WASHINGTON, July 2.
EDw'D L. KEYEs, ESQ.
Dear SRI have received your letter
inviting me, in behalf OF the Free Demo.
cratic State Committee, to attend the con
vention of the Free Democracy Of Massa-
chusetts, to be held at Worcester, on the
9Th inst, and requesting Of me, in case O
inability to accept-lhat invitation, some ex
preston Of my views upon political pros
1pects and duties
Engagements here preclude the posi-.
bility of my attendance at Worcester, and
the Massachusetts Free Democracy has
proved itself so clear in its understanding,
and in the performance OF lis political duties,
that any expression of my views on that
subject seems quite surpelhuous.
Nor is it needful that | say word as TO
political prospects. Indeed, do not pre-
tend to discern, with any cIearness, even
what lies nearest in the future. OF this
only am absolutely certain Truth and
Right must prevail. Their triumph may
be postponed, but it must come. Sham
and wrong must cease They may endure
for awhile, and even seem strong and per.
manent, but they will vanish away Slave
ry, therefore, must perish, and all combi-
nations to uphold it will be broken
For this result, with the admixture of
evil, have looked, and still look to the
Democracy of the Union. The principles
of the Democracy, promulgated by Jefler-
son, and deeply sealed in the convictions
of the people. faithfully and wisely applied
to those questions Of slavery, which have
now come to be Of paramount importance,
and imperatiyely demand final and const.
tutonal settlement, would accomplish that
great end, securing and establishing the
rights of men without invading the rights
of the States
We cannot, however, shut our eyes to
the fact that there is power in our country,
outside of the Democracy, and, in many
respects, antagonistic to the Democracy,
the aid Of which has been thought essential
to the success of its national candidates,
and purchased not unlrequentIy by marked
sacrifices Of Democratic principles. lreier,
of course, to the slave power. which, Tor
years past, has been suffered to dictate the
organization, rules, platforms, and nominal
tons Of our National Democratic Con-
ventions Its adherents declaring in adj
vance their determination to support no
candidates, whether nominated by the Con-
vention or not, who should favor any APP
plication of Democratic principles which
would endanger its ascendency, and inss-
ting upon the adoption Of a rule which
enables them to defeat any nomination not
entirely satisfactory TO themselves, have
hitherto eXerted an effective control over
the results of these party conventions.
This power is essentially arstocratlc, aud
even oigarchc Continued submission TO
it is incompatible with the permanent eX-
istence of earnest Democracy.
The advocates of submission, however,
will be numerous, and the motives OF sub
mission, powerful, SO long as party success
is thought to be secured by it. But let
there once be called into existence. a
counter-power, which will demand the
faithful application of democratic priniples
to all questions, including the great question
of slavery as the condition of support to
national nominations, SO that the sacrifice
will prove more dangerous than the main
tenance of principles, and the advocates
and the motives of submission will disap-
pear together.
Such counter power may be found in
an indepedent democracy, which acting
cordially with the rest of their Democratic
bretheren, when they can without COM
promising principle, will nevertheless Stead
lily refuse to do so when such action will
involve such compromise. Such an indie
pendant democracy, TO maintain its title to
must be unwaving in its sup.
port of democratic measures, and in its
to democratic principles, and never
enter into inconsistent alliances with the
Of democracy.