Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-03-18
Home Affairs.

w ME congress is, ON Jne one n;lnu DONG all
possible for the admission of Kansas with bo-
gus Constitution and on the other hand nerv-
ing to determined, and we hope successful,
Resistance; while the South is pinning all its
future action upon the success of the move, and
the North are just as strenuously concentrating
all its power against it; it behooves each State
to watch well the minor issues within its own
borders, that no one of them, nor all Of them,
shall be made paramount to the one great poll
cy of opposition to Slavery. We may, during
the interim of each yearly State campaign, dis
cuss side issues, or the policy of some reform or
amendment to State Matters but we must not
get 50 firm hold upon any of these, as to al
low it to prevent Il free and hearty cooperation
in our National policy Persons differupon the
subject of Anti-Slavery. Some are more or less
radical than others and the only way to get at
the truth, and to raise the standard of political
action in regard to the evils of Slavery, is to
freely discuss it morally. Others differ as to the
Temperance reform. Some believe that the
present law is sufficient, and heartily oppose any
new movement; others that it is too stringent,
and advocate its repeal and still others that it
is not stringent enough, and they as heartily
and earnestly favor total abolition of alcohol,
or that it be so impregnated with medicinal
drugs that no one will wish to drink it, or that
we shall have committee appointed to thor
oughly inspect every gallon used. All of these
opinions are well enough, while honestly held
for the Republicans and many of the Democrats
do not insist upon making the Temperance re-
form party question; although, as natural
OR better understanding has taught men. the
majority of Republicans are in favor of Temper
ancc. and the majority of Democrats are oppo-
scd thereto, or (by their actons,) in favor of in
temperance. Therefore, the principal support
of the Temperance reform comes from men whose
better sensbilities teach them to despise tyranny
and degradation. These two parties are almost
the only parties having an organization in the
State OR nation, although the Americans and
Radical Abolitionist, are occasionally reminded
of their peculiar belief, from the bad effect Of
the controlling influence of man over the less in
telligent and more poorly educated foreigners,
and the occasional partially discovered attempt
of some would-be leader of the Republican party
to estrango the party from its high grounds in
relation to Slavery but these results only serve
to keep the people upon their watch; and ishus
keep the party pure and its union strong.
In few weeks the people Of the State will be
called upon to make selections of candidates for
State and Coun ty officers for the ensuing year.
1t, therefore, behooves them well to inquire
whether any radical change in our State policy
is demanded, and also to Inquire what will best
tend to a continued harmony of the party with,
out compromising truth, right and justice. New
York has sent us cheering intelligence from the
fact of gain of almost one-half in her towr
elections, in favor of Freedom. New Hampshire
gives proof of her integrity and attachment tt
Freedom, and shows Enthusiastically her oppos
ton to Slavery, in her recent State election; anc
we shall soon be called upon as occupying &c the
grconest spot upon the Republican canvas" t.
give united voice in favor of Free Soil ant
Free Men,
Then let us look about us carefully, and selec
men whose great souls are sufficient guarantee
for their honor, and who will in no manner com
promise the high moral tone of the Green Noun
tain State Let them be live men. Temperance
men, and above all Anti-Slavery men.