Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-06-15


they are to meet one of these days, If they
don't repent of their folly The commune
cation comes from one Of the people-not
from a politician j
20, the wa,chman and Journ4L
Mr.. Editcr,--You speak Of those who
cannot tolerate the disturbance which Know
Nothmgism has introduced into the politics
of Vermont and ask why the Waterman may
not reflect their sentiments. As one ofthose
men ask a hearing. have long made an
tl.slavery the ruling principle OF political
action. How TO stop the growth OF slavery
IN our country and rid ourselves OF the evils
It innicts upon us | have .ong regarded as
the great problem for the American people
to solve, before which all other questions
sink to insignfcance. A Wing 10 my
views of the doctrine of Protection, have
regarded the Slave Power as the great OBJ
stacle in the way of wise and bencicent
legislation upon that subject. Jefferson
Democrat in my views of State Rights,
have regarded the Slave Power rs the most
dangerous foe of those rights Yet have
been respecter of the Constitution, and all
its obligations touching slavery, my OPPOSE
ton to the fugitive slave bill and to all com
promises with slavery Notwithstanding.
have also endeavored TO treat the ANTI
slavery sentiment with candor, wherever 1t
was to be found, and have had occasion 10
regret the contrary disposition on the part Of
many with whom ] have been politically
associated. ] have recognised many sincere
aud earnest anti-slavery men among those
who differed with me with regard to politi
cal action. II was not hard for me to trust
the movement which last year brought a.
bout strong anti slavery demonstration on
the part of Vermont. | thought saw IN the
circumstances connected with It reasons tor
my confidence. .'s's aels OF those to whom
| then gave my confidence and support to
stand up like men for the principles they
then professed. ! ask them to show their
fidelity 10 those principles by opposing the
party that is subverting the Influence OF an
ii-slavery sentiments upon the mind of the
people aud that has done more than all things
else to break the force OF the antrim Nebraska
demonstrations of last year.
As an unti.slavery man, protest against
all connection Of the cause IA this State
with the Know Nothing movement. pro-
ties, against II. because the IDEAS of tie two
movements are directly oppose 10 each 9TH
er; because il Is departing from the great
doctrine Of the equal, lnalicnable and UNI
versa rights Of man; because Il IS incohsis~
tent to associate he effort m behalf VI hui
man freedom with a crusade against men Tor
being born in some other part OF the world
or protesting some other religion; and, be-
cause, whatever temporary advantage II
may pain, II will be sure 20 result Ultimately
10 damage to the nn,i-.lnvcry cause. II Is
not. as IN Massach dsetis, that we have two
political parties protesting anti-slavery, and
vet al the PRESENT crisis perversely refusing
10 act together. that Nernonters need to rush
headlong into the Know Nothing party To
rebuke such folly. /, IS not, as IN New
Hampshire, that we have powerful and
corrupt pro-savery administration party,
which the times calls loudly upon Us TO over
throw, that We need 90 suffer Know Nothing
ism. 1t is not that the events Of the past
year Justify less certain position upon the
Slavery question. or Its disturbance by OH
er ssues, that we should for one moment
tolerate It. Shall Vermont turn the glory
OF her present anti slavery position into
shame by joining herself 10 party which,
to say the least occupies doubtful position
upon the question OF slavery VIII her
people accept the teachings otth Ned Buut-
llae school of politicians: Where were the
senses of her Wing and Republican poliIi>
cians, that, one year ago, while placing
themselves IN an attitude of The most deter
mined hostility TO the Black Power Of the
nation, they never thought or dreamed of the
dangers which threatened them from Catho-
lie aud Foreign influence " here were the
senses Of hcf'peoplc that, all unconscious af.
ter the designs of the Pope and the Paddles,
they loudly responded Amen TO the resolu-
tons Of their politicians henceiorth to make
opposition TO the slavery propagsndsm OF
the country the first and foremost cOnsldera
ton. In the name Of common sense ! ask
what good Ncrnorters can accomplish
through the agency OF the Know Nothing
parry, aud what reforms they propose to Ell
feet by il; Are the Green Mountain Bows
afraid ofthat miserable old dotard, the Pope,
who canno, protect himself IN his own Pal
ace az Rome without the aid of foreign bay
onets; and do they propose to place the
State In a condition OF defence against such
time as he shall make his descent upon It
VIII they enact laws making It penal 10 be
born the other side Of the Atlantic VIII
they decree that the Railroads shall be de-
moiished because the Paddles bu il them
VIII they abolish the practice uf eating POI
flioes m o der 10 starve the IRISH out OF the
State? hope that If they give their sane
ton 20 this senseless Know Nothing psrty
they viii turn Alormons also, 80 that the rcll-
giou and the politics Of the State viii cor
respond Whence comes tins party that
has brought such confusion upon the anti
Nebraska movement OF last year, which
promised otherwise 10 have become resist
lesss Is II the steady growth OF sentiment
among The people, now for the first time
making itself felt, or Is It the work o. unprin
cipied politicians dealing with their Lowest
prejudices d.; Is II sound argument or bigot'
Ty-nteihgence or ignorance, up'n which II
most depends for success Take from i
the peculiar character of It's organic zion
which draws people 10 II from curiosity, ihC
attractions OF It's novelty and the influence %
few surprising victories, and what are it
resources Does It propose TO rebuke th'
corrupt practice OF bidding for the vote o
the Foreigner and Catholic, by laboring Il
secure to It's support an ignorant and unpFin-
cipled rabble Is It's mission undertaken
for the welfare Of the Protestant religion P
And is ii the true spirit Of Protestantsm tina
seeks the intervention of political party =
that cannot trust It's cause single handed tC
the might of truth Ia the language q
DIR. Chalmers, Z" 1t Is not by our fears tia
we do honor TO Protestantism far more be
fitting homage Is the homage of our conf d.
ence"
There is maniies,ly too much fear of the
Know Nothing party. Let us deal with
as II deserves, Let US speak the truth OF !
and shame the Devil. II is party not fit Il
be supported by the people of Vermont. |
resorts a. use~snrea which honorable ans
highmlnded men should despisv. with IL
secret organlzation-a device OF unprincl
pied politicians with It's cheating and de
ception which It has elevated TO virtue, an
which compels every man TO regard IN
neighbor with suspicion and distrust wit
its sectarinnism. which for the first time /
the history of the country it associates wit
politics with It's sins Of omission in rels
ton to Slavery, and its sins of commissio
in relation to the citizens of foreign BIRTH
the Know Nothing party is disgrace to tn
American people. In every light in whie
1t can be viewed, i, is fraught with mischie