Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-07-01

ri,ories are free, arc they not and the South
orn " hips unite with the Northern Wings in
pledgnc each other to lei things stand as they
are. II is n solemn pledge ON the part Of the
Southern Wings moi to push slavery into free
territory; not TO annex slave territory moi
to make new aggressons for the extension
Of Slavery. On our part it is solemn
pledge not to interfere with Slavery where it is
established not to disturb the constitutional
privileges of the South-noi to agitate for agi-
tation's sake, without either the power, or the
purpose if we had the power, to infringe one 10
IA upon their lawful rights. In short, IT is a
grand stride in the right direction once more by
the Southern Wings, and worthy Of those genu-
inc heroes who dared to denounce the Texas ag-
gressions and the War upon Mexico When
ihey say, let siore,y stand as il u.s. they put Inn
Il 10 IL; when we say that we win not counte-
nance that agitation which only serves to embit-
ter the hearts of every body, without ameliora-
ting the condition Of single slave, we have
both prepared the way for the sure progress OF
Freedom Limit slavery to its present position
and leave it to the STAKEHOLDER to manage without
impairment and useless Interference: that seems
to be the upshot of the whole matter. If the
South abides by that ground, it is the most hope
fol sign for the peaceful and certain ameoration
of American Slavery, aud for the ultimate ex-
tinction Of it, that has appeared in the last ten
years. If the South does not abide by it, we Of
the North are absolyed from all obligation.
Bu, we are not to crticisc, discuss remon-
strate on this subject of slavery. SO says the
Tribune see no warrant for that assertion in
the platform. Agitation, indeed, in any form
is condemned. But lrhat sort Of agitation P
This Platform is a party act, and applies to or
gained party action see no warrant to con
strue it as a bar to private opinion, free discus.
sion, or any sort of action other than political
action. And wi a, does it exclude even of po.
litica action? We are not to interfere with
Slavery where it is already established ls'tbat
nelc doctrine II strikes me that it is very
old, at least among the Wings of Vermont, and
uas often been recognized, even in the copstitu-
tons of anti slavery societies. And what do
the Southern Wings engage2 They are not to
"agitate" for Slavery they are not 10 seek to
extend it, they are not to disturb us Of the
North by pro slavery agitation. 1t is another
grand point gained for Freedom, for Peace, and
for the perpetuity of the Union
Such, hastily given, are my impressions on
this part Of the platform. As to the rest, it is a
substantial advance for sound Wing principles.
Hitherto the Wing party has bad to meet defec-
tons in the South, growing out Of constitutional
scruplcs but the party is now for once harmo-
NOUS as a whole, in all the essential points and
particularly upon that most necessary for the
prosperity of Vermont, and most cherished by
her people mean a PRorrcTIvE Tariff.
In this view Of the matter, ! am disposed to
receive the platform with favor, and test the SIN
ccrty of the important concessions which the
South has made. In the meantime, we of Yer
mont, are required TO sacrifice no opinions, no
privileges, no rights. We shall doubtless con-
tinue 90 elect staunch upholders of the old Yer
mont Wing creed to represent US on every occa-
sion; and Whenever the occasion calls for ac-
lion upon any law which requires amendment
upon any encroachment upon the rights Of the
ireemcn of the North--or upon any project for
the extension of Slavery, in breach of the pledge
contained in the Baltimore Platform, come
whence it may,-it is not 10 be doubted by any
body that they VIII act as becomes representa-
tiyes of the Fearless aud free Green Mountain
Rows