Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-01-10
The Vermont Watohman.

Inc vermont w dCCnmdn.
The Waterman asked of us, in former issue,
if we subscribed to the Republican platform! y
but without defining that platform in manner
that we might understand the nature of step
we shou take if we answered yes or no, other
than that.
THE Republican party of Vt. is based upon the
idea that Freedom is the paramount question N
the present condition Of politics, and that every
friend Of Freedom, without distinction as TO pas
political opinions, is 10 meet on equal ground;
in the Republican ranks.
For that reason, we did not answer, directly
nor shall we until it gives us a definition o
Republicansm without equivocating, and not thel
unless it comedies with our views of Justice
Our motto is, principles not party. This w
last week asked him to 90, but with no bette
success.
To our first question:
ais Freedom to be the paramount question onil
in the present condition of politics "
1t answers
" 1t is now the paramount question in facts
treated by the Democratic party and The Southern
K Ms. who are pro-slavery, and the Republicans
and Northern K. Ms the few loIh section mer
excluded who are anl-slavery. 1t ought to b'
the paramount question until settled
An eqnivocating, evasive reply! We asl
until ,Uhat is settled-the Kansas question or thu
Slavery question:
Again, we asked
SIS thetpresept condition of politics simpl,
the aeititsSe Of tsie Kansas questionp'
1t answered.
" Mainly, paramounlly, present politics are d
rected to the principle embraced in the Kansas
question"
From this we understand that Freedom is tt
be the paramount question only until the Kan
sas question is settled.
Again, we asked
" Has the Republican party no further purpose
than the settlement of the present condition o
politics ,"
1t answered.
"The Republican party grew out of that con
dition, and its paramount leading, principal
feature was to resist the aggressions of Slavery
But the platform recognized other matters, fol
which we refer the freeman to the Platform it
self, in the resolutions of 1853 and 1854"
From which we infer that the "paramoun
feature of the Republican party is to prevent
Kansas becoming Slave State; after which it is
to return to " other matters " recognized in the
platform Of - '53 and OBJ"
Now in the resolutions of 53, there pas M
issue Nth the Administration mo resolution
adopted to ,uh'ch any Administration man ,oould
not readily subscribe! ~ In those of "a, the
leading one is Resolved, That zoe relain our
attachment to theprincples and policy Which hare
heretofore distinguished u.s. Are these the
" other matters which Republicanism recogni-
yes What are "the principles and policy ~
Is it the compromise of '52!-the passing of the
Fugitive Slave Act by the Wing party and i:
the Waterman still lir gering on the skirts o.
llSSet1
The Waterman asks
4" Does the Freeman approve and support thai
|plalform7"
If that is Republicanism, it does not!
If the Platform is now inadequate for the
purpose designed, let it be made better. Does
The fresmaa abfte to shat!"
l. does
Now our definition of Republicansm is that
Freedom is TO be The paramount question not only
during the settlement of the Kansas question
but until this fair land shall be redeemed from
every restige of The institution itself. viii the
Waterman approve and support that platform!
Again it asks
sis the Freeman for union of the friends Of
Freedom!"
1t is
"Wll the Freeman join US in the good
WORK."
The Waterman may join us if our Platform is
more conducive to its interests but we shall
never join it with its present definition nf Repub
lcanism.