Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-08-31
For The Gtesn Mnnntain Freeman
LETTER FROM REV. GEO. PUTNAM.
20 the Committee of the Free Democracy
of Orleans CounfJ,

OF dreams county.
GENTLEMEN Yours of the 10Th ult,, was
July received. In answer to it, | beg to say,
that when l wrote to you declining the nomina-
lion of County Senator, anticipated State
Convention would he called, which would set
things all right in the State; and that new
organization weuld he effected Of such charac-
acter that our anti-savery friendsin this County
would desire to cooperate with it. In thatcase,
it would, of course, become expedent to call a
County Convention. To prepare the way for
such an event, as we'll as to free myself from
certain responsibilities, was the design of my
communication.
But you seem to he of the opinion that, taking
all things into consderation-the result of the
Mass Convention, together with the subsequent
action of the State Committec--it is not at all
desirable, at this time, to change our position
ia this County; and that SHALL at this late
hour, incur greater responsibility by declining
than by accepting the nomination.
Confdins in your Judgment, have concluded
to accept the nomnation-with this provlso,
however, that no measures shall be resorted to,
with view to secure my election, but such as
are fair and honorable. 1t is my desire. there
fore, to have my political character fully under
stood by all concerned, SO that those who are
disposed to exercise tile elective franchise in my
favor may do SO knowing for whom and for what
they are voting
suppose it is generally understood that am
not, strictly speaking, political man. have
never reckoned myself as such, only in relation
to the Slavery question. As to questions which
have no particular moral bearing, and only re-
late to the mere financial affairs of the country,
| have felt but very little interest concerning
them. And the interest | have felt for tho
Slave has been more of religious character
than otherwise.
Nearly twenty years ago, becoming convinced
of the exceeding snlulnass of the Slave System,
and believing that the Church with which
stood connected was deeply involved in its gait,
| could not avoid feeling great anxiety on the
account But it was difficult to tell for which
felt the greatest concern-for the Slave, or for
the Church. So labored with equal zeal for
the salvation of both
The political bearings of the question had not
as yet become prominent. Many thought it
ought not to be made political question; and
yet others, wishing to screen thcmselvas and the
Church, claimed that it was altogether political
the Church having nothing to do with it. Bat
it became apparent to me, after due considera-
ton, that, inasmuch as the Church and State
were both involved, it was equally political
and religious question. was, therefore, pre-
pared for political action And when the Lib
erty party was formed, was ready to fall in
with the movement and cordially sustained its
principles until, Unfortunately, tlink,) its
identity became lost in the great Free Soil
movement.
This through deemed expadient at the time
f was nevertheless, as think, retrogradc move
ment By it we were thrown, as it were, from
4 the track, and never since have we been enabled
to regain our former position. know there are
some who still think the party to be one and the
samb7-the name only being cIangGd. But with
the there is quite diff renee in the principles o
the parties. The one originated in sympathy
for the slave-thc other in sympathy for Free
| men. The one had for its aim the entire uhoi
f ton of the Slave System--the other seeks onl,
to confne it within its present limits. The on
was for maintaining an aggressive war with tn
+ Slave Power-the otiWr mere war Of defence
The one was for laying the axe at the root of tn
, tree--the other for only cutting off some Of it
branches.
Il But the Free Soil movement, whether for GOO
. OF for evil, like that of the Liberty party, ha
d had its day; and a new dispeusatijn is no,
il opening upon us, the end Of which time alon
I, can tell
The Wings, taking advantage of the times
are making mighty move, with view, as
K suppose, of securing the next Presidential elet
l. ton. 10 this have no objection; and if thrc
their efforts Slavery is kept out Of Nebraska an
o Kansas, wish them all success The pssap
5; of The Nebraska BILL though of itself dabolj
/. cal act, is nevertheless attended with this 200
1t result: 1t disannuls all the covenants nm
y compromises heretofore made with the Slay
F. Power. May they remain so forever Ma
m none of them ever be restored--not even tn
If Missouri Compromse-and may we have n
I'd more treaties of alliance with that Man of Sir
which opposeth and exalteth himself above a
that is called God Or is worshippel
S But though | wish the Wings all snceass i
ID every laudable effort to suppress Slavery, Or
ty restrain it within its present limits, still hare
o ly think it advisable, at tho present time, to
IN identified with them in their party relation.
" There are, ain free to admit many frien,
e Of the Slave who are Identified with the Whi
an men who sympathizo with the oppressed, al
II are ever ready to do them good. Bat in the
IN political connection they sometimes find thcr
CO selves 80 circumstance that, though they wou
w do good, evil is present with them 80 that t
no good they would do, they do not--bat the cN
sh they would not do, that they do For this r.
'f son, think it not best, at the present time,
is commit the cause of the Slave exclusively in
10 their hands 1t would not be safe 50 tod
They may, and it is to DO hoped they vail, 81
90 tain the principles which they now Sc Jealous
or promulgato, at the next Presidential olectio
,,s But. Judging from the past we have some re
mo- son to apprehend that this may not he the cas-
ng 'n"' 'n0'i loA. 4'"''oa"' eoh''i'.'o" VIII i''