Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-06-26
Abolitionism not Republicanism
NHHNN
Committee
May 18th, 1868.

10 outside DarOarlanS Benerally IL Woulu sech
that the force of Ant-Slavery sentiment had so
thoroughly permeated and been Incorporated by
the dominant party in Vermont that radical alb
olitionism would find no necessity for an indie
pendent existence. But this it appears is not
the case There are in this State, as well as
elsewhere, few persons who seem to be dis
affected towards everybody including themselves.
They regard all Anti-Slavery sentiment except
the kind which bears their own peculiar brand
as spurious and wicked. They claim to be par
excellence, the friends of free discussion, and
they illustrate the force of their claim by their
own disagreement among themselves. The
practical result of their conference is cultivation,
beyond example or rivalry, of the faculty of Wit
operation. As the New York Times sensibly
remarks, platforms are framed which cannot
become popular, and candidates nominated who
cannot possibly be elected. This done, and the
usual amount of sharp talking accomplished,
these philanthropists, feeling themselves sufi-
GENTLY fracti6ed, adjourn for year"
A convention of such spirits assembled at
Royalton on the 18th inst, and continued in
session two days They nominated VIM. Il.
Skater of Townshend, for governor, VIM. NJ.
Pingrey of PerlSinsville, for lieutenant governor,
and B. w. Dyer of Randolph, for treasurer
1t is understood they gave their vocabulary an
airing, but we have seen no report of their res
olutions.
This is free country, always excepting the
'niggers,' and these men have perfect right to
meet in convention, nominate candidates of their
own complexion, and vote themselves asses or
anything else they may choose. OF the exer-
else of this right we do not complain We
would even assist in removing all obstacles that
might impede the way to such jubilation.-
But when we see men elected to office as Re-
publicans, by the votes ofRepublicans, with the
full understanding that they are identified with
the Republican party, joining hands with this
knot of disaffected, disunon politicians we claim
the right as Republican of offering our protest.
Prominent on the ticket nominated as above
is the name of one of the State officers of Yer
mont. 1t is presumed that he did not attend
the convention, but of this we can affirm moth
ing. His name would not probably have been
used had it not been understood that he SYM
pathized with the views usually presented at
abolition gatherings. From the known weak
ness of the party with which his name is asso-
ciated he may decline the proffered honor
But even this will furnish no evidence that he
is a Republican and fully identified with the
principles and policy of the Republican party.
Not long since most of the newspapers in
Vermont advertised an extended notice of an
abolition meeting to be held at Bradford. The
notice announced that Garrison, Pillsbury, Fos-
ter, Remond and host of other fanatical dis
unionists would be present and take part in the
discussions. The meeting was held and the pa
pers throughout New Englandreported the pres
ence, as one of the speakers in this motley assem-
blage, of Governor Fletcher" The chief
executive magistrate of Vermont in council with
the ultra disunionists of the North 1t was fur
Their reported, in justice to the Governor, that
he opposed the schemes of the master-spirits of
the Convention and that he was most soundly
berated and abused therefor. 1t is no matter
of concern to us whether Ryand Fletcher goes
to an abolition Convention and makes speeches
or not but it is humiating to every genuine
Republican to have the Governor of Vermont
degraded by mixing with such scurvy set of
politicians, and degraded after he had associated
with them.
The Green Mountain Freeman, is the self con-
stituted guardian of the Republican party. 1t
affects to decide who are, and who are not, suit
able candidates for that party to put in nomina-
ton. 1t threatens that if such and such men
are selected the " old Liberty Guard" will have
to separate and select men and platforms more
congenial to their tastes and feelings. 1t does
not object to being called Republican if men are
nominated who are willing to make " left hand
ed" overtures to the abolitionists, and to stand
on platforms so constructed that upon them
abolitionists can ride into office and power. AT
all other times, we believe, it claims to be the
especial organ of the old Liberty Guard"
Such are some of the men and means claim
ing to be Republican and endeavoring to direct
and control Republican, sentiment in this State.
They are'all well enough in their way and may
have mission to perform. But they are not
true opponents of the Republican party of Yer
mont nor should they be regarded as such.
The Republicans of Vermont are no abolition
lists uor disunionists. They are inAexibly OPP
posed to the aggressions that slavery has made
and is still seeking to make upon the freedom
of the country. They reject all pretensions for
the extension of so monstrous an evil. They
will strive increasingly and use all constitutional
means to restore the action of the federal gov
eminent in all its departments, legislative, exc
cutive and judicial, to position in which it will
harmonic with the principles upon which il was
administered before the democratic party had sold
itself bodily to the slave interest of the country
But they will never attempt, nor countenance
any attempt to interfere with any of the rights,
immunities or privileges conceded to the slave
holding States under the constitution. Thew
are not aggressive in their principles or tenden-
cies. They only wish to defend the free labor
E of the country from the degradation of chattel
servitude. They love and will cherish and de-
fend the Union both from foes without and foes