Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-11-04
A Jealous Guard Of Principle.

Some days since tho Burlington Free Press,
conducted by an old" light Of other days of
our political history, for whom we cannot but
have that reverence we always had for old men,
and young man of apt ability and finished
education, had a well timed and convincing ar
ticle upon the little specks Of clouds which
have been floating around our Republican hori
xon. In that article, after abiding to the first
steps at the organization Of our Legislature, we
find the following
&C There may be some disagreement about the
individuals who are to be elected to other offices,
either by the respective Houses, or by the Joint
Assembly, but as we think none to produce any
special irritation of feeling.
There is Il tendency in few minds to keep
alive Il notion that the Republican party of Yer
mont is a sort of partnership concern of men,
who not only once belonged to different political
parties, but who are still bound to keep look
out for the interest of such parties, now passed
entirely away Such however, is not the feel
ing Of the great body of the Republicans in the
State-and such feeling as far as it exists,
tends to evil altogether.
We accept the force Of the general tone of the
above, and still we disagree with the last clause.
We do contend that old divisions should be for
gotten, but we still believe that only eternal
vigilance and careful watcbfuness has main
tanned the integrity of the party free from the
snares Of protested and pretended friends during
the trying time of anti-Lecompton of the past
year. A jealousy of those who fought the or
ganization and have been 10th to give up their
old predictions comes as naturally from those
who occupy the true ground, as from those who
fear the demoralizing effects of their promotion
But when satisfied of their conversion there is
no cause for opposition, And we arc happy to
be able to state that since the PRONUNCIATION of
the true doctrine in the Governors Message
there is not one sound of discord to be heard.
Those who have heretofore maintained doubt
full position, have openly avowod their belief in
and determination to adhere to the principles of
the Republican party, as set forth at the State
Convention in, June last, with which the doc
trine of the Message is in strict accordance.
And here we desire to say, what we have often
been requested to before, that the Hon. Daniel
Roberts, of Burlington, was the author of that
platform, with the exception of one resolution,
which appeared in the hand writing of Col
Daniel Needham, of Hartforl-two gentlemen
to whom the Republicans of thisState are large
lyindebtod for the present decided and honor
able position of the party
We would net be accusatory in our remarks
nor do we wish to dictate. We only wish tt
give publicity to the universally expressed feel
ing of the people, when we say that the warn
interest now manifested by the members of oul
Legislature in the subject of human rghtsismos
gratifying to their constituency, and they vii
hail with pleasure the passage of high-tone,
and discreet enactment to the more securel
protect the Liberties of all the citizens of Yer
mont, who may seek the free air within her Dor
,.ders.