Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-05-20
The State Convention,

1He OCaCo C0nVentl0n
We are sorry to discover that there is grow
ing indications of return to the lukewarm no.
Sition upon the questions of Slavery and Intem-
perance in this State. These indications spring
up in two ways: One is the want of outspoken
heartfelt earnestness in the matter by the lar
ger majority of the Vermont Press. Another
is the disposition to carefully exclude the names
OF known Ant-Slavery and Temperance man,
while referring to the proposed candidates for
State Officers.
There is to be observed great disposition to
alternate from one side of the mountain to the
other in making nominations, and also to take
up new men each two years. This brings us to
the West side of the Mountain for selection
tor Governor. There are good and true men
there, as well as South or West. but there are
more prominent men there whose positions are
undecided or lukewarm upon thegreat questions
than in any other part of t he State. From
among these men of very dou btful integrity it
is claimed that the selection should be made
10 this we object. IF there are men on that
side of the Mountain who have had the indepen-
dence to stand up against evil and injustice, and
we believe there are, then we are in favor Of
making selection for the Office of Governor
from the West side of the Mountain. The Free
Press drops Geo. P. Marsh and names Inland
Hall.of Bennington. Without, in this place,
asking If there are not Others in Bennington of
far more decided and known antecedents and
principles, we ask the Free Press to inform us
what Mr.. Hall'sposition is? Is he a Temperance
man in practice? Is he one in conversation
Is he acting with the Republican party willing
ly, and because he believes that Slavery is an
evil, or because the death Of the Wing party
forced him to be recognized with thousands Of
Others, possessed of no affinity for Anti-Slavery
principles, as hangers-on and dead weights to
the success of true reform The Phenir names
anumber, among whom we gee but one, (NIr .Sey-
mour of Vergennes,) who is known by his ac-
lions to be Temperance or Anti-Slavery man
yet we are glad to see that that paper has laid
aside the foolish idea of standing or falling with
the nomination of Mr.. Holbrook.
We have before remarked that no man of I'M
known or doubtful position will be acceptable
to the people of Vermont. And why should he
be? Is there any new development arguing in
favor of any less determined action in favor of
reform? Is the policy of the party now in
power any less alarming? Mo- Then why
lO~er the standard of the Republican party in
Vermont? Have we not had two years of a
successful Temperance and Anti-Slavery Admin
stration in the State, and was the State ever
more prosperous, the people more happy, or
more unanimous in its support? Is it ia prn-
ciple of the Republican party that with rota-
ton in Office comes rotation of principles? Did
not the union of all parties in the Republican
party proclaim platform of decided opposition
to Slavery? Were not the ten thousand Anti
Slavery men, and the five thousand of Free
Democrats, promised that the principles of the
party should not be Wing, but Republican?
Does the portion of the Republican party who
have left the Wing party now intend to return
to dead principles and policy unsuited to pro-
gress or reform?
But you say, Mr.. Hall, Mr.. Pierpoint and
some others will pledge themselves that their
Administrations shall be characterized by the
principles of Temperance and Anti-Savery be-
longing to the Republican party of SIS and Sc. -
We want no man who is obliged to pledge him
self. We want men knopa to be right, and in
whose hands those interests will be safe without
pledges.
We have no Partially for any one man fur
Their than his principles carry us. If Mr.. Pier
point and Mr. Hall are true Anti-Slayery and
Temperance men, the people will not object to
supporting them. But while there are men of
known integrity, will it not be as well to nomi-
nate them. If we must go to the west side of a
pile of stones, and down to Bennington County
even, why not select Judge Isham of Bennng-
ton? He has served the State faithfully as
Judge, and would do so as Governor. But if
we have not got to 60 as far south as that, Sc
lect Hon. James NJ. Slade of Middlebury, than
whom there is not more staunch Anti-Slavery
man in the State, nor man whose whole soul is
more deeply embued with the true principles of
reform.
As to the Treasurer, the PhGnir and Free
Press intimate that, although rotation is the
} policy by which our present worthy Governor
and Lieut., Governor are to be set aside, the
Treasurer is to be an exception. Are there not
good men and capable men "prctty near the
capital" who are deserving of notice,o is ro-
tation the policy? If not, why not retain the
whole of the present State Ticket?
rhn Troy Annnnl Confernncn of the NJ