Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-12-23


Anti-Slavery Legislation.
EDITOR FEEEMAN While noticing the intro
ducton into the legislature of the report of the
committee, of which Mr.. Marsh was chairman,
the passage of his bill protecting every man in
Vermont in his natural rights, sustaining the
JcIf'rsonian doctrine Of the equal and inalicna-
bic rights of mankind in general, it was evident
the enquiry might arise in the minds of many
what has produced such a radical change in the
opinions of our legislature within the short
space of one year? Something has been done
and that something has meaning. Not only
in placing Vermont right upon this important
page Of her history, but in its clear indications
of the departure and course Of republcanisn.
Certainly it cannot be attributed wholly to
change of members, for we expect to see many
names recorded in the affirmative who were pres
cnt at the session of last var, and yet were not
numbered with the CT who voted for Needh I'm S
Bill, and this too when conservatism seemed to
have obtained the advantage III making the last
nominations.
While the republican press Of the Stata-with
one cxception-has either failed to commit it
self, or openly opposed the measure.
The opposition, headed by the Times, have
tried every project promising success to defeat
it, The living have been called upon The
shal,s OF the departed invoked. The tombs
have been disturbed in their dark-hntern search
after the remains of the Old Wing Party, vain
/ ly hoping that could they but bring up its FAM
| ishcd ghost, former friends wO Id unite again
under the old banner to crush out this political
heresy this old foolish doctrine of our foolish
forofithers of the revolution. But no rafting
of dry bones could wake it from its slumbers s.
Tie people have laid it quietly away from fur
Their dishonor. They have spoken, and their
united voice must be heard.
What next? Where now shall we find those
truly conservative men, those croakers for south
crn rights, the right to make slaves Of men p
The right to deprive them Of what nature :
great author gave them as their birthrlghts.--
viii they still cherish the hope of intusing into
the Republican Party the spirit of its immediate
predecessor. Let Antl-slayery men be watchful
and do their duty, and this phantom will flee
faster than they can pursue
The principles of Republicanisin are reform
atory and progressive, and as sure as wisdom
guides her counsels they will prevail AS we'll
might we attempt to stop the storm-driven ves-
sell as to check their advancement The people
arc thinking deeply upon this matter. They
think that our fathers were right in the decla-
ration upon which they based their resistance to
Great Britain. They know that if they mere
right, we, as Il nation, are now wrong, because
We practically deny what they declared to be
s.lf-evdent
They reason, too, and by no process of reason
ing can they come to the conclusion that one
prtion of the human family has any right to
deprive another of what by the common right
of nature all are equally entitled to. They be-
lieve that as sure as God is just, truth and right
must and will prevail
All honor to the men who have so nobly stood
firm IN defence of God-given right,-bidding
defiance to the slave power Let them and their
deeds be remembered as filing a Free State, as
worthy OF " time when our rulers were more
Of your whining, dough-faced, petty-headed
politicians, but statesmen worthy of the name
who could act from higher motive than p.r
sonal ACKNOWLEDGMENT or party successes. Let
such men again guide the nation, and brighter
day await her. Sham Democracy that has sc
long ruled will b. uns,atsd, and driven to its
final resting place. Prollgate politicians and
those who have lived by offices will be its onl,
mournerS.
Bulwarks of freedom will be raised on every
hand. Slavery will go down before the progress
of free labor, directed by thinking freemen. -
Then will be attained that position which il
: justly our nations due honored for her justice
} powerful in the resources of strength and in he
government because it is by and for u people in
? teligent and jealous of their rights, ever pre-
| pared to defend them. The glorious hope o
the fathers realized. F.
Woodbury., Dec. 10, 1858.
II