Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-08-25
For the Freeman.
To the Democracy Of Vermont.

For the Freeman.
To the Democracy Of Vermont.
address myself to the Democracy Of Vermoni.
Ia doing SO, do not wish to be understood as
addressing myself solely to those who have
claimed and borne that appelIalion, exclusively,
but, also, TO those, under whatever party desig.
nation they may have heretofore acted, who ad
here to and support the principles of u true and
genuine. democracy. In politics, as in religion,
at he present DAY, there is too much loud
mouthed profession, unacconpa lied by manly
and independent practIce-too blind an adhe-
renee to party names, and party organizations,
and too little adherence to the fundamental prn-
cps of RepublicaDism and Christianity
much downright sacrificing of all the essentials
of Republication and Christianity, under the
name of Democracy and Religion. In all
Churches we fud the true followers Of Christ,
and in all parties we find the true friends of
Democracy. Christianity is fixed fact, and
cannot be successfully assailed. Democracy is
also fixed fact, aud will onlstand all forms of
opposition. But who is the true Christian p
Not he who processes lis beneficial principles
and fails to practice and assert them, through
good and evil report, but he who knowing his
duty as Christian, man'ulIy and steadily ad
here's 10 it IN his life. Who is the true Demo
crat? Not he who insists most yphemently on
beng its disciple, without regard to the nainten-
ance of It's doctrines and measures. but he who
lives up 10 its requirements, whether he calls
himself BY lis name or not. Though always
myself Democrat, both, as hope, 10 name and
practice, have yet lived long enough ."a % en-
enough Of political men and PARTIES, to know
that the true and reliable Democracy of the Ma
ton are not all on one platform. Party requr-
ments and party organizations warp the practi
ces of men, and lead them often to live and
vote down their own principles; but with their
"sober second thought the mass Of the people
OF all parties come right again. Ii there is any
great and overmasterng evil IN the politics OF
the nation at the present day, it is the blind and
unreasoDlng manner in which men follow party
and party lenders, without scrutlniziny the prin.
clples and measures they are required to endorse
and support. In the name of Democracy, men
tranple all the essentials Of Democracy under
foot. In the name Of Whigism, men rush bind
ly into the support of dogmas which overlurn
ali that made the name Of Wing glorious in the
history of The Republic. 1t is time for the
men Of all parties, to pause and enquire ,chere
they are and uhat they are supporting. 1t is
time for those who glory in the name of Demo.
Gratis 10 stop and ask themselves if they are
sustaining the principles OF democracy. 1t is
time for those who feel proud to call themselves
Hhigs 10 pause and consider whether thew are
not falsely protesting the principles which their
name requires them TO MAINTAIN. WHAT is it to
be Wing. in its true an proper sense? 1t is,
first and foremost Of all, to sustain the cause Of
freedom and free Institutions among men-it in
to contend resuufely and perseverlngly for the
great truths of The Declaration of Independence
it is to be the worthy disciples as well as de
scendants, OF those who have made Lexington
and Bunker Hill waichwords in the mouths of
the haters OF tyranny and the lovers OF republi
canistD everywhere! Are those who bear the
name of Wing now, living up to the prime piles
which that name requires them to support? Are
they contendng for the 'inalienabe rights of
man? Are they sustaining the interests of
freedom against the gigantic assaults made upon
them by the great Goliah Of tyranny, Slavery +?
Are they true to the spirit and example and
teachings OF those who laid their treasures. their
honor, and their lives upon their coun,ry's altar
In their counlrys struggle for Independence and
freedom? What Wing, in the DAYS of the
Revolution demanded that the press should be
mnzzed, that it should not speak out against
oppression? What Wing, in the DAYS when
Faneull Hall Numbered with the eloquence of
Adams and Ots, dared counsel that freeman
should speak with 9 bated breath "nnd craven
soul against Slavery and tyranny? What Whiy.
IN the days when black ulan fell IN the streets
OF Boston, the frs. martyr to the cause Of his
country's liberty, dared to rally his countrymen
to seize the black man and send HIN into hon.
dage, for no cause but that. with sable skin
he loved liberty? And what Wing is there now i.
in all New England, who is true to the reonire-
mer Is Of his party creed, but that makes war
upon the freedom of the press, and the ryb,
If free discussion, il the press and tongue dare
to speak against Slavery and its insoent de
mands? VIVA, Wing now, but that, BY his
crecd, must become, il occasion requires, slave
hunter, and be- foa nd chasing the flying fugitive
around the sacred precincts OF Faneuil Hall and
beneath the shadow OF Bunker HIN?
And what il it 10 be Democrat in the true
and proper sens Of that term II il not only
to be- the iinUuvabie friend of freedom and Tree
institutions, but to contend for tho most perfect
equality and the largest liberty smong msn--for
,st' mmu m~r. rl