Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-07-24


For Congress,
JAMES MEACH AM, Middlebury-lst District
HOMER E. ROYCE, Berkshire-3d District.
Former Democrats.
The Vermont Patriot Of last week, contains
very significant article, and one which shows
but too plainly that the portion of the Demo-
cratic party who now support Buchanan have
strayed wildly from their former track
That article, (Which will he found elsewhere in
this paper J states that 80 the Abolition party
is made up of former Wings and former Demo
Gratis" admitting one half Of that party is from
the Democratic ranks Now we wish calmly to
consider the plausible position and claims these
" former Democrats " have to Democracy, es-
pecally those of this State
e have heretofore given number OF rcso-
lulions of the Democratic party, part OF which
only We need now republish, to show the posi-
ton of the Democratic party prior to the mon
strous, high-handed measures OF the Admins
tration of the Black Democracy. After reading
the resolutions of l84S, 40 80, which show
the position and principles held blythe Democ
racy then, and the same position had been
handed down by our Fathers since Jefferson
noble declarations, and comparing their posi-
ton then with their present one,-who will say
that it is not the Black Democracy who are just
" deserving Of the name of d" former Demo
crats," and that those whom they designate as
former Democrats are now, as then, holding
on to the same immortal principles of the - for
MGR - Democracy
In lS49, the present editor Of The Patriot was
chairman Of committee and drafted and re
ported to the Convention tho following resolu
ton; 49,
RESOLVED, That no more slave states shall be
admitted into the Union That we claim nc
authority IN the Federal Government to abolish
Slavery in the several States but zoe do clam for
it constitutional power to prohibit the introduc-
ton Of Slavery into territory now free, and to
abolish it wherever under the jurisdiction OF
In 1850, j P. KidIer, the probable author
of the article in the Patriot was Chairman OF
the committee on resolutions, and reported the
following:
Resolved, That the existence of Slavery and
the slave trade in our National Capitol is IL dis
graceful inconsistency which calls loudly for
| 81. is+ nhn tIns,
of both by act of Congress
Again, in 1852, the Convention which put
the Hon Charles G. Eastman in nomination for
Senator, for the second time, passed the follow
ing resolutions:
Resolved, That the Democratic party of this
State, by repeated resolutions, in State and
County Conventions, stand pledged to oppose by
every lawful and constitutional means the ex-
tension of Slavery in any territory belonging to
the United States now free, and that we here
relterate the pledge.
Resolced, That we endorse and re affirm the
platform and principles of May 81, 1919.
The Vermont Democracy were not the only
State Democracy which were passing such reso'
lnti'ns, basing theirsDcmocracy upon such prln'
ciples Oct. Is, 1919, the two branches of the
New York Democracy united with the following
resolutions:
RESOLVED, That the basis Of the Democratic
party is, and ever has been principle.
Resolced, That we recognize in the Consttu
ton power clearly vested in the Congress O
the United States to abolish Slavery in the Dis
trict of Columbia and intcrdict Slavery there
which act would render the character of oul
government unsu,lild, and elevate it above il
present position.
Resolred. That the Federal Government has
the legislative power to prohibit Slavery in the
territories and ought to exercise it so as to pre-
vent its extension there.
In 1S48, the New Hampshire Democratic
Legislature passed the following resolution
unanimously:
Resolcedbyhe Senate and House of Represen-
tatires in General Court coneened, That we are
in favor of the passage Of a law by Congress,
forever prohibiting slavery in New Mexico and
California, and in all other territories now &C
quired or hereafter to be acquired by the United
States, in which Slavery does not exist at the
time of such acquisition.
And in 1849, as follows:
We are firmly and UNALTERABLY opposed to
the extension of Slavery over any portion OF
American Soil now free
And in 1850:
Resolced, That the people of this State are
bound by no compact, expressed or implied. tC
suffer the introduction of Slavery into territory
now free, and that they are uNALTERABLY oppo
scd to the erection Of any territory without it,
prohibition by positive law
After this declaration of principles-the SAINT
IN word and faith as that of the Democrac,
from Jefferson to jackson, and from jackson
handed down by Wright, Woodbury., Rantou
to Polk-wbat shonlda set of oHice-holders OK
poet after denouncing those principles, as thei
acls, words and resolutions have done for tn,
three years past
Jan ii. 1856, the editor of the Patriot reat
himself and the few oficc-holders out of tn,
Democratic party as follows;
1t has been the misfortune of the Northern
Democracy to have in some measure tamperet
with the Abolition sentiment. Let us hone auC
pray it may never be done again. 1t is prosti
! tuition too dsbasng to be endured, Ifany timiC