Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-03-31
The Aim and Policy of the Free
Democracy.

The Free Democratic party is not organized
TO aid either The Wing or Democtatic wings OF
the great Slavery Compromise party OF the ma
tiop. but to defeat them both and that repudl-
alinp and denouncing Them both as hopelessly
corrupt and utterly unworthy Of confidence, the
purpose OF the Free Democracy is 10 take pos
session of the Federal Government, and admin
lister it for the better protection OF The rights
and interests of the whole country.
Such was the bold. fearless and noble resolve
Of the assembled Free Democracy at Plttsbur!h.
And, whatever other parties may say or think. 1T
was an earnest resolve-the declaration OF men,
who, nerved with the righteousness of their
cause, feared not to svow their purpose, and
who will not, now they have returned to the peo-
pie who sen, them to that Convention, hesitate.
in unison with the thousands on thousands of
their approving followers, to take the most eff
cienl means in their power to carry 1t into ef
feet. And IN the name of all that is precious in
our institutions, we ask, is it not time that
Northern Freemen should so resolve and so act i?
At this very moment, more than two-thlrds OF all
the leading polil icians and statesmen OF the Un-
ion are, directly or indirectly, exertlng their
power and influence to sustain slavery, ami
make i. q national institution. And having
been driven from the field Of argument. they are
now silently but busiIy engaged in everywhere
Corrupiing the people, TO make them subservient
to this %nefarious purpose. Not an office is be
stoweo, from The President down to the village
Postmaster, without reference to this object
Treaties are negotiated with a keen view to
their bearings on the question new movements
in diplomacy are constantly in agitation to secure
new advantages to the Slave power; and in
short, the whole of the vast power and patron
age of the Federal Government are actively EN-
ployed in making human Slavery The paramount
interest, and the controlling institution of the
country. Is it not time, then, we repeat, that a
party we're formed for a no less purpose than to
take possession of a government whose powers
are SO prostituted, and whose whole course is so
snbversive of the objects for which it was con-
fessedIy instituted? And is it not time, also,
for all rejecting and honest men to join that
party, and become earnest laoorers in its ad
v%ancement? Well, such n party is formed
such a party is the Free Democracy, and on
them. at this crisis, it seems 10 us, devolve re-
spoasibilities of no ordinary character. 1t be-
hooves them, then, in contending with opponents
so experienced in party tactics, and SO armed
with advantages to work on the personal inter-
est of men, 10 call to their aid the c%ounsels of
wisdom, as well as honesty of purpose. And
yet the one, when properly considered, is III
volved IN the other. Their highest wisdom is to
DO true to themselves and their principles, avoid
ing all weakening coalitions and temporlzlng
policy, remembering that " our object is not TO
aid either Of the other two parties, but to defeat
them both" moving straight forward, without
turning to the right or to the left, yet keeping
the door open equally wide on both sides, for all
to enter who are willing to stand with Us bn our
platform, without asking US to alter or modify it
for their convenience, and acting, finally, like
honest. earnest men, in support Of a cause which
they kno ; to be good and just, against one
founded on error and corruption.
Let the Free Democracy do this, and as
surely az that " truth is mighty mud must prevail >
will our ~exertions be eventually crowned with
triumphant success.