Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-05-12
From the veigchnss Vetmonter, May ,.
Wings of Vermont.
ABIDE BY THE OLD LAND MARK

Abide by IfiE OLD LAND hARNS.
Resistance to the extension of slavery
has always been one of them, but the Wing
voice in Vermont has been partially hushed
for time on this subject, because we be-
lieved that the North and South had come
to clear understanding OF their relative
rights aud duties, that any further agitation
would interrupt all neediul legislation in
Congress, and be productive of danger to
the cause we would aid. That understand
ing has been violated; and the Wings will
hereafter be found, as heretofore, the most
efficient and consistent supporters of free
dom. They may not be so open mouthed
as some, but they will act When Speak
er OF the House of Representatives is to be
chosen, they will cast Their votes for the
friend OF Freedom not of Slavery. When
they hold the balance of power, they will
not so abuse It as to favor the enemy. Re.
member Winthrop and Cobb. For the rest,
our principles are comprehensive enough for
the administration Of great republic. The
principle Of Il discriminating tariff Is not to
be abandoned because protection * not re-
quirod at this moment With a change OF
times it will be needed, and therefore should
be insisted on as guaranty for III invest
ment of capital, to foster mechanical skill,
industry and enterprise, to stimulate inyen-
tive genius, to effect a more equal dlstrlbu-
ton of the comforts and advantages of life,
aud to obtain in dependence of foreign skill
IN manufactures.
! Internal improvements too, should be urg
ed as a principle that the aid OF government
may be iudlciously applied wherever need
ed, and not caprlcionsly OF SELFISH given to
strengthen parry
An equitable distribution of the public do
main, cheap postage by land and by sea to
/ favor the diffusion of knowledge and multi
ply aud strengthen the bonds Of sympathy
between the old world and the new, the
cultivation of harmonyin our international re-
latohs, the prompt suppression of lawless ex-
petitions resistance to further territorial ac-
questions, economical administration OF the
government, a modest exercise of the veto
| power, legislative measures to originate
rather with the representatives of the peo
/ Pile than with the executive, and a sacred re-
gard for the guarantees and respective pow
ers of the constitution these doctrines have
all marked our creed and practice and are
worthy, not merely TO sustain any party, but
TO secure the greatest amount Of public and
private good. Even Horace Greeley virtu-
ally admits that these leading ideas embody
the wisest system of government in exis-
tence, and although he was sliding off a
year ago, now appears to be coming home.
In our opinion then we need no new organi-
zation, as some have unrefiectngly recon-
mended. Ii could have no principle To
which We are not already attached, but
would want many principles which now u
mite a larger number Of sound intelligent
and patriotic men than were ever before as
sociatod as a polIticel party. They know
their wants and the wants of the country,
and they will never forsake the good old
faith which aims to secure the common
veal. Again we say, brethren Of the Press
let us abide by the old landmarks.