Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-02-24
Aation of the Free Democracy in
I Id fefer ance TO the Liquor Law.

Mr. Barber, corresponding editor of the Bran
makes, In the last number of that paper, the fol-
lowing suggestions to the Free Democracy Of the
State IN reference to their coarse on the Liquor
Law questions likely to arise the coming year.
So far as relates to the political action of the
Free Democracy, we cannot but regard the sug-
gestions Of the writer as timely, and worthy of
serou, consideration; and in saying this, we
speak as much the friend OF temperance as of
freedom; for we sincerely believe, that any at
tempts we may make to embrace the liquor ques-
zion among our party tests, will have The tenden-
cy to retald the present laudable movement to
suppress this baleful liquor traffic as much as it
will distract aud njure ourselves. Ed.
To our political friends we say, exercise YOUR
opinlons III relation tn it, whether for or agninst
tearlessly and Independently. but do not suffer it
I" usuIp the place Of those great principles for
which we are contendlng as free democrats. The
questions arising out of the liquor law, are mo,
al, rather than political ones, and while they
should not be overlooked or neglected and should
be met and decided, at the proper time and man.
ner, in fearless and conscientious way, If they
are permitted to everruIe all other considerations.
they will annlhllate our political organization
and all other political organlza,lon-. The dan
yer now 49, that The po|itcs of the Safe. viii be
made to turn upon the question, whether this law
shnll be repeated or sustained II the oers are
driven to tins issue no po'itcal orgauiz ,,ion can
Withstand the shock. Our Counsel Is, Tor the
free democracy every where 10 immediately take
the ground that they al nor IN Ike It d test of
orthodoxy. In their polical cciiou. hui will sun
port any one of their nunber who my be ta,rly
Nominated as a candpiure for any off u, shatey
er may be his opinions IN relation to this law
if this ground IL not taken il will I'M vitality
lead to a disruption Of the pnry. for there are
th,se WAC will never vote for candidates hn are
nonlnated tn sustain that la Nv. and there are so
those who will never vote for candidates who
are pdoed TO oppose II. II j. Is made au issue
and cand dates are nominated to sustain il and
pledged to that cUuise we should MT, Tor une,
tet bound 10 support them
The free democracy NIL take nogro nd agaios'
temperance. As II moral Question they will n 81
array themselves against It, in any form But
when the attempt is made to promote it by po
lnlcal action and bv a resort to pains and pen
altirs an, new ana violent mode oi administer
ing criminal law, it may be- set down as fixed
fact. that they can newer b. made as a party. to
act mi eddy ,npon 1t. Each n,an must be j. to
his own opinlon, 10 relation that con,se !, vii
po'sue upou the wh"le qnes on, and nus no b.
ostrac,sed whether hts opinion il ne wav or the
other. BY adopting this cuirse Of policy. we
may remain united and 20 70, ward N the vlgor
GUS pr"secu'i N OF the gfsa' political principles
and n"asnres, for yh'ch, as a party, we are con
tending. BY adopting he Other course. we
shy be broken, discovered add pow-rless. We
speak pui Nv because The situation Of affairs de
mdDds il. There are s'rone feelings among ON
friends on both sides aud iher side viii sub.
mt TO be 'iragooned by the other # all could
feel that It was strictly ana egitlhaeiy.s poll
cal questlon.proper Tor party action The minority
would bo" to the Will of The majory bu, 50 long
ashley are divided on that point 10 atteup To
make il a political Issue and test of party tel.
lowsIip, is simply IN sttemp 10 dissolve the par.
" and prevent the union Of those who agree on
political principles.