Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-03-13
Moral as. Political.

Every movement we have seen made by the
Wing party in this State, only serves to assure
US that no stratagem, no profession, nor no overt
act will be let TO pass without attempting to
swallow up the distinctive anti-slavery party
And since we expect to be swallowed or rejected
we intend, if swallowed, to have road of our
own to go down upon. And as the Anti Slavery
party are under obligation to the Wing
party, further than that the Wings are stealing
their thunder without even credit-mark, we
are Of the opinion that we may as well look af-
ter ourselves as them.
A time ago we published the following, as
definition of Republicanism upon which we
would consent to support that party:
"Now our definition of Republicanism is that
Freedom is to be the paramount question not
only during the settlement of the Kansas ques
ton, but anhl this fair land shall be redeemed
from euery cestige Of the institution itself. Will
the WaIchnaa approve and support that plat
form.l
In reply, the Walchmap assures US that that
is not the true definition of Republicanism, as
follows:
There are two phases of the Slavery cues
ton: one is moral ard the other is political
The moral will necessarily exist and demand the
use of moral influence and appropriate moral
means Tho political phase OF the question is
quite another thing. Political action is limited
by the charter of oUr political powers, which is
the Constitution and we cannot transcend
those limits, Thus, politically. the Federal
Government cannot abolish Slavery in the
States; neither can the people or legislature OF
one State interfere with Slavery in another
State And this is a part Of the Republican
cred a0D, as it ever was II part Of the creed OF
the old Wing, Democratic and Freesoi parties,
and OF every American statesman since the adop-
ton OF the Constitution When, therefore, the
Federal Government and the States shall have
exhausted their powers, and performed theil
whole duty, it strikss us that the political phase
Of the Slavery question will be ended The
Slavery question will then be no longer {" Il par.
amoant question" politically, and parties may
be organized with reference to whatever oues
ton, either of principle Or policy, shall then BE-
paramount" We therefore say to the Free
man that we stand by the Republican creed a,
At as, ana not rs the Freeman most ajsurdy ;n(
wrongful y represents it to be. Does the Free
nun pretend that the Republican party is tt
interfere with Slavery in the States lclere 1t &C.
1sts} If it does not will it tell us how Repub
licanisln e. e Us II political party,) is to be par
amount " until this fair land shall be redeemed
from every vestiso Of the Institution ITSELF"
We are bold to assert that the Federal Gov.
erilnent can abolish Slavery in the States as
far az to prevent the traffic from one State tt
the other and abolish it in those States to wlic,
it has been extended since the adoption Of the
Constitution, and in the District of Columbia
The Constitution has no clause that can be con
strued to give sanction to Slavery in any Stat,
but those where it existed when it was adopted
if there. And unless the Republican party arr
willing to make the question of Slavery para
mount, not only until the "political phase
e. c. the settlement Of Kansas) is sattled--a
did the Black Democracy of 40 52,-but unit
Slavery is abolished, we shall still adhere to on
Platform of "Freedom forever ;!
We think the whig definition Of Republican
ism Will satisfy everybody that Freedom is no
the Object; and we ask the Waterman if by it
definition we rightly understand, as we have be
fore said, that the Republican party, as formed
by the Wings, is a party with Only one plank
aside from those * other measures ~ it cited II
to, and that plank is 9 Freedom in the Terrific
ries ~ andif upon that platform they intent
to entiee or force the Anti.Slrvery party, VIII
have 80 nobly fought, and when safely out o
reach of land dump them, body and SOUL int
the dark ocean of Whiggery? We are afraid
Mr.. Foiaima@, that one plank Of such small
Dimensions will not entice old sailors cut to SCI
with pirates.
The FPdtcd0laa once tauntinsly asked US
we would support Mr.. Banks for speaker! ]
Pierce Fillmore and Banks are nominated fo
President, which will the Watch,aan support