Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-03-29

Wlthout being conRtHced that there are now three
lmpediments, as viewed by different people, to
the regular progress of our Republican Govern
mcnt; which is-a government of the people,
and the powers of which are moved by the voice
OF the people. That voice and action of the
people should be intelligent, watchful, discrim-
mating and persevering. The same should be
kept free from other, and contradictory and de-
structive, considerations and interests.
Now it is well understood by the public, and
you permit it to be so understood, that the mel m
bers OF your party dread. and are at war with,
the Influence of the Roman Catholics, and for
eigners, in the affairs of our government, and
that you wholly ignore Slavery.
These three things occupy the attention, and
excite the fears of different persons, according
to their discovery of the baleful influence of
each of them upon our government. occupy
no situation which imposes upon me the duty to
examine and decide, what would be the best
measures for government to adopt to guard
against destructive influence of the Romaa
Catholics, or of foreigners, upon our elective
franchise, which ought to be pure, and dictated
by true American feeling. Itappears prota-
Die that, if Government interfere by their legis-
lative power to check or guard against the evil
in either case the process may be slow, and long
speeches. and many of them, will have to be
made before they win be agreed upon the consti-
nationality or prudence of any measure; espe-
cinlly after We hayesso long and loudly boosted
that our country was on asylum for the oppres-
sed, and the hons the brave.
Bnt it appears sarain. that if there isfanT
real danger threatened from the sources named,
much of the danger may be warded off by a
suitable caution Of the people not to suffer any
persons against whom such an objection can be
raised to become II prominent candidate for any
Office
But it is publicly announced in the papers,
and not denied by any of you. as yet appears,
that you, as party, wholly ignore the question
of Slavery. That may meau-that you will
know nothing aboutit, and have nothing to do
with it but let IL take its course, and 60 head
long. Iwould suggest to you that, such is its
nature, it will do the most mischicfin that way
of any If you see water running down hill,
and let it alone, it will run and injure whatever
comes in It's way, So of Slavery. The slave
holders wish us at the North to let it alone.
They can take such care oft as they wish taken.
They will take care, that it shall run over all
territory, over all liberty, over all free govern
ment. If let alone, its down hill course, sweep
ing all before it, is powerful-like the overflow
ing current. Your only eAectual combat with
it is to stop 1t altogether Let it alone in the
! United States, and it will soon take away your
power to check or remove the danger from Cath
oic or lereign influence. But, perhaps, by ig-
noring Slavery you, or the papers that undertake
to speak for you. mean no more thaa that you
as party, will make it no test of your part y
principles, but let every oae act upon it as .ht
deems it proper. If this were understood by al
the members, to be what is meant by it, the let
ing alone would not be complete. 1t would fet
ter TIE Slave Power some, but not prevent it,
running down HILL and gaining strength by it,
own velocity. .....
When the Know Nothings first appeared, they
did so great and good work in scattering the
two old spro slavery parties, INDUCED the hops
that they wsge enlisting on the side of Liberty
and would hvp conquer the Slave Power, ant
prevent its ruling the destinies of the United
States. Why might we not well hope that hav
ing begun 50 good work, and begun it SO well
they would carry it on unto perfection! But Il
strange power the shareholders have, that ever,
leaf, as soon as turned over, exhibits the wore
Slavery But this is not power inherent in thu
shareholders, nor constitutionally in thes bu
apower usurped by them, and practically " yield
ed to them by the people of the North cea sing tt
exercise, with frmncss, their constit utiona
powers.
The dection of our next President W i'll moi
rest upon the division betwcea America is ant
foreigners, but between Freedom and Slavery
And what pity it is that the honest, patriotic
freemen of the North cannot be united in elect
ing President and Vice President wi, are
Americans, not tainted with Roman Catholic
blood, nor with the blood of Immigrants, nor ,ir
any event whatever, with the blood or principle
of Stakeholder. MENTOR.