Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-05-04
lpeeItlp fire. Dress,
BURLINGTON, FRIDAY. NAY 4. 1865.
Politics in Vermont.

Politics in Vermont.
The existence Of q new party in Vermont
will doubtless comphcatc, to a greater or less
degree the shapings Of the next campaign.
Some things concerning the future are, how
ever, already clear, and Il straight course will
doubtless show itself in time, for men who
nre guided by principle. The main issues of
the last campaign, opposition to Slavery cx-
tension and to the present corrupt and faith.
loss administration, will be the main issues
Of the next, For that reason any union Of
friends and opponents of the administration.
on an anti acknowledging, or any other plat
form, will be an impossibility, We hear that
such move is contemplated, that prominent
Administration men in the State have solicited
the signatures Of some of their opponents of
last year, to a call for general anti Sam
Convention but we think it will fail. With
the " American sentiment, on which the
new party bases itself, the majority of the
people of our State, we believe, sympathizc to
greater or less extent. To the secret or
ganization, the majority of the people are no
doubt strongly opposed but their opposition
10 Slavery is stronger at present than even to
secret oaths We see not why there need be,
neceSsarily, any warfare between the Know
Nothings and the Republicans or Union men
of last year, who are opposed to secret poll
teal orders. Whether there is to be such
warfare, will depend upon the course which
the new party takes We are not vet ready
to believe that it will attempt in Vermont to
shuttle or disguise its position on the Slavery
issues, or to run State and local tickets made
up by secret nominations and composed Of men
comparatively unknown and unpledged, save
as they are bound by secret oaths to do the
bidding of a SilvcrGray Grand Council
The Caledon'an of last week discusses some
Of these points in clear and sensible article,
with the views expressed in which wo COIN
eide. We suhjoin the greater part oft
Tho great question before the country is
one OF freedom or slavery. This is likely to
be n question dividing political parties for
years to come The admission of Kansas
and other territories, the requirement of
Cuba, and perhaps other foreign territory,
are questions Immediately or remotely pend
ing. Underlying these is the purpose enter
tanned by the South, of establishing the
domi Mon Of the slave power in the nation
1t is therefore no time to form unions or to
take up other questions, that in any manner
can possibly tend to weaken tho ranks of the
frionds OF freedom. We plant ourselves on
tins position and mean to resist all infu-
cnccs that may arise to divert the attention
OF ireemen from such momentous considera-
tons, and we would warn all friends of free
dom to beware of entangling alliances afford
ing countenance to the ailers and abettors
of the slave power
But, inquiries an anxious politician, what
shall be done what shall the enemies of
slavery aud the opponents of the admins,
tration in Vermont do ! Why, go ahead IN
the plain path before them. platform
was adopted last year, by the opponents of
slavery, which is just, right and true, and #
not broad enough make it SO in the future.
1t Is platform which no republican need be
ashamed Of, Let Il call in due time be issued
Tor State Convention-to all the opponents
Ut the Pierce administration to nominate Il
State Ticket. Our present State officers,
having received but one election, and hayin.
done nothing that we have heard Of worthy Of
political death, should, of course receive Il
denomination by the same party by which
their names were brought before the people
last year And why should not this ticket
be reelected Can any one suggest a just
reason to the contrary
'uti ~ - euSStsltu, new organization
may arise Tor the purpose Of defeating this
ticket. If party should spring up from the
ranks of the enemies of the Pierce admins.
tratIon, with this design, it would evidently
be iactlOus In its character, and we are not
yet ready to fall into the belief that such
principles as were proclaimed at Rutland and
Montpelier last year by the enemies OF slavery
extension, can he voted down for some time
to come in the Green Mountain State, or that
hn ii
destined to be struck down this, by its
professed friends.
The platform of last year is good ono -
II imperfect, perfect it the ticket nominated
was good one-why then, should opponents
Of slavery propagandism travel out Of a high
way SO plainly marked out, and one which
patriotism, consistency and honor alike die
tate, as the true one for them to walk in !
The opponents Of the administration in Yer
mont are mostly American in birth-certain.
~ so in sentiment. If they have not adyo,
Gated all that is good in the new party, per-
tanning to American principles, it has been
escause past occasions have not called for
distinctive avowals. That the naturalization
laws are imperfect and need reforming, that
the country should be rulod by Americans. or
men of undoubted American principles, and
that measures should be adopted to prohibit
the emptying on our shores the contents of
the poor-houses and penitentiaries of the old
world, not a dozen men among the opponents
of the administration in Vermont, for mo-
ment doubts, however many thousands Of
them may look upon secret political organi-
cations as ant-republican and uncallod for in
free country like ours.
Our Congress men will be found side by
side with those of reformed New Hampshire,
with Connecticut, and those Of other free
States, ready to act for the maintenance Of
American principles on all fitting occasions,
and against tho encroachments of slavery.
The politics Of Vermont, as expressed in the
election last fall, are RIGHT in the man--lct
US strive to keep them so.