Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-07-23
DEMOCRACY IN VERMONT.

The sayings and doings of the Democracy
at their State Convention, of which we find
a report in the Bellows Falls Argus, afford a
spectacle of abject subserviency to the des-
potic rule of their Southern masters morti-
flying to behold. 1t might be supposed that
here in Vermont, among the mountains,
where the air is free, where Cotton is any
thing but king, where the people are all on
one side, and that the side of freedom, lille
Tree speech, ,cord in favor of free labor or
even faint protest against the unlimited ex
tension of Slavery, might be once in while
allowed to the servants and supporters of the
Administration. But it is not so. In other
states Democratic presses have, at rare
intervals, we believe, been known to
oppose family the aggressions of Slavery,
have declined to glorify the bred Scott deci-
sion, and have refused to swallow Lecom pton
without some greasng. In Vermont not a
public word has been spoken, so far as we
are aware, by any leading Democrat, against
these enormities, and we feel safe in saying
that the Democracy of no State in the Union
will accept the new doctrines, of the right
of Shareholders to bring to and hold their
slaves in the Free States, and of the
propriety of legalizing the African Slave
trade which are before long to be portions
of the political creed of the Buchanan
party, with less hesitation than the Demo-
cracy of Vermont.
Among the resolutions reported to the
Bellows Falls Convention was one declaring
that "the Democracy of Vermont are neither
pro-slavery nor anti-slavery d that ''the
people of the territories have the power to de-
termine their domestic institutions for them
selves, without outside interference"
This resolution, after an attempt to amend
it by inserting politically" after " anti
slavery" was opposed by Messrs. Bowdish
and Barber and Plimpton and Atkins-and it
was poted down. And that our readers may
see just on what grounds this (harmless,
might be supposedly sentiment was suppressed,
we quote the speech of Mr.. Atkins as re-
ported in his own paper.
Mr.. ATKINS. While I oppose the amendment,
regret that the resolution has been introduced at
all. l regret it because we are a National party,
and our position on this subject is well under
stood. I want no go-betweens-no positions like
this to tempt undecided men to join us. We are,
and should always be, an Independent, firm and
straightforward party, ready to give our reasons
for the faith that is in This declaration that
neither pro anti-slavery, it seems to me,
is put there that may all things to all men,
and, perhaps, we may temporarily gain few votes
by such course. By trucking to the fanatcism
of New England, in these meaningless resolutions,
we may add few tender-footed ones to our number,
but the first gun Of disunionism that sweeps over
the North, carries them off This is no way to
build up Democratic party in the North. If a
man is to be steadfast Democrat here, he must be
intelligent on all political subjects.
/, Mr.. President, believe that the black man of
the South is now in the best position he occupy
coming in contact he does with his superior, the
white man. The laws of nature teach that where
an inferior race come in contact with a superior,
either the inferior must disappear or become sub
ordinate to their superiors The Indian, not being
fitted for servitude, is fast fading from the earth
the African is proving, by his thriving condition at
the South, that subordinaton is his lot Applause
Further, Sir, / believe that this same slavery is
beneficial in developing the resources of the South
ern portion of our Confederacy There is a very
great want of information relative to these things
among the masses Of the people at the North. Those
who know the least upon the subject are those who
talk the longest and loudest about the wrongs OF
the poor slave, and the Course and blight of Slave
ry." Let all such look at the fgures-at the fact,
throwing aside their prejudices. | confess have
made mistakes upon these points before had fully
examined them. But, sir, when 1 took the official
Reports and statistics, became satisfied Of very
different state Of things from what had supposed
And any candid man will be.
There is but one way to build up and keep up
Democratic party of the North; and that is tc
throw away these undecided positions-these half
way measures, and stand and contend that the
South has her rights as well the North-that she
has right to her institutions well as we have
right to ours. We must not be frightened by the
bigotry of men, the tears of women, or the cries Of
children, but stand up like men-bold and firm
for equal rights and Democracy. I do not want
the Democratic party Of Vermont to declare them,
selves pro-slavery-I do not want them to declare
themselves anti-slavery--but want them to stand
where Jefferson, Jackson the Nicholson letter, the
Cincinnati platform and the honest and patriotic
Administration Of James Buchanan has placed the
Democratic party Of the Union.
This pure and undisguised specimen o.
officiating can be allowed to pass without
comment. We can have altogether NOR,
charity for the Southerner (for there was
veritable stakeholder present, and speakin,
on the occasion, y who stood up and defended
his peculiar institution" Perhaps he die
not understand how he insulted the intelli
gence Of the few workingmen of Vermont
by arguing the superiority of Slavery t.
Freedom for the laboring man. We quot
from his remarks.
Mr.. WHITE, of Georgia, said
The resolutions which have heard read her
are liberal minded and just Why all this tall
and excitement about Kansas Slaves cannot liy,
there, or at least cannot be made profitable there
Why keep up the contest Why were slaves freet
in this State, and in other Northern States2 Simp
~ for this same reason-that it was not profitable
When slavery was abolished did it make freemer
Of the slayes' No they sold at the South
and Northern sympathy for the slaves ended il
Pocketlng the purchase money. (Appause.)
travel North every summer, but never befor,
fell in with Northern Democratic Convention,
and am happy TO say that / have been much
pleased with the sentiments expressed | was IN
in your grove here the Sd, and listened 10 the
Grafton there delivered. The orator got along
finely, but could not get through with Il without
Juggling In something about A" the blight upon our
escutcheon." | was sorry to hear it, very sorry.
In regard to slavery | suppose there are many