Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-06-03
A View of the Aspect of the Republican
Party in Vermont.

Iarty Ii vermont.
EDITOR FREEMAN AS an uncompromising
Anti-Slavery man | have been watching the
efforts of our leading politicians and the Press,
or that portion which claim to support the Re-
publican party in Vermont. Perhaps l look
with too Jealous an eye, for when engaged in
the Anti-Slavery and Temperance causes, re-
garded Slavery and Intemporancc greatmoral as
well as political evils, unchristlan in their ten
denotes, and consequently prepared to array
myself against them, have endeavored to do SO,
and mean to continue to the best of my judg-
ment and ability; believing it my duty to exert
an influence and make every effort to bring
about reform bearing testimony against
those evils, knowing it to be the cause of God
and humanity.
With heartfelt emotions, gaze upon the po-
litical aspect of our country while Slavery
and intemperanco are suffcred to stalk forth, and
even in our model free State we feel the blight
ing influences, the moral sensibilties have be-
come 50 stupifed that many are the advocates
and supporters of both those still growing evils.
And still more to be lamented is the fact of
the indifference that exists in the Republican
party in relation to the reform of those evils, a
party in Vermont in no way affected by
Slavery?
How many g having fled for refuge to lay
hold on the pleasures of treedop among our
native hills and valleys, are obliged to hasten
on to the tender mercies of monarchial gov
ernment in order to preserve that freedom"
Are there not large numbers recognized in the
Republican party of our State that possess no
affinity for Ant-Slavery principles, OR the re-
form for which the party stand pledged, and are
assuming to figure largely in all party arrange
ments ostensbly for the cause of Freedom and
reform without the least sympathy for the
cause, but truly acting for their own personal
advancement and policy unsuted to our pro-
gress or reform
T Such appears to me to be fact. Such cold
indifference upon subjects that threaten devas-
f tation and ruin to our country should be enough
to arouse the feelings and energies of every
patriot and true friend of his country. Can it
be possible that any, harboring principles an
!, tagoniStic to the Anti-Slavery and Temperance
reforms, have taken refuge under the Republic
can banner, or presume to occupy distinguished
places upon their platform
Will not the true friends of the Anti Slavery
l cause arouse and stand shoulder to shoulder as
in the days when they were charged by that
same class of politicians of having but one idea
, and let that idea be shaped to aid in the true
| reform necessary to meet the present demands of
our country?
> Let us elevate the standard of the Republican
party still higher in Vermont with words leg
IDLY written on its banner-Frcedom to all
and placed in so conspicuous position that it
9 can be seen and read by the whole world.
Q We want leaders, we want men for Office,
} but we want none of " doubtful integrity" we
4 want no man who is obliged to pledge himself
to have his position understood. Let us have
: men who are kno,on to be right whose hearts
are engaged in the cause With such men the
true interests of people will be cared for without
9 plegdes.
: Let our partiality be for principle, not men.
r We have men of known integrity of principle,
r true to the Anti-Slavery cause as well as the
, cause of Temperance in all parts Of the State.
Shall we not look to such men as leaders in our
: efforts for reform
There can be no mistake about the necessity
e of all lovers of freedom and free.princpes
e casting about themselves to ascertain under
IS what colors they are sailing and by what in
k fuences they are drifting along.
10 Can any friend of the cause of Freedom
e and Reform look upon the policy of the
l, party now in power, without shudder ant
s. alarm Under such a state of things, wha
ID is our duty as freemen, as lovers of freedom
j. as Anti-Slavery men, in view of the politica
s. aspect of things and what are our obligation
I'd to our Country?
lie Let the nquirers be answered by having du
lie reference to the relation that exists between
i, and our felow-beings and our Cod A. P.
n East Calais, May, 1858.