Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-01-28
The Convention at Bradford.

The Convention at Bradford.
We give, in another place, numerous sugges-
tions received from private letters and otherwise
in relation to the Anti-Slavery Convention Mt
Bradford. We have waited some tame for def
mite idea of what was proposed by the Conyen-
vention, and what instigated its call and must
still confess cur ignorance of both. We are
told by one that no political organization is in
tended, by another that ii is intended to organ
ize a radical party.
Had the summary disposal of Anti-Slapery
matters by the Legislature, last fall, been given
as reason for the move, it would have been
sufficient. Had the alarming condition Of Kan
sas affairs, and the outrageous attempt eff the
administration to force Slavery upon the people
of that unhappy land, and the determination of
the ofice-hoiding press to force the belief upon
the country that the Administration was just in
this attempt, been adduced as reason for q
Convention to deliberate and deyse means of
resistance, the whole State-people of all parties
would have seconded the call, with unheagd of
reclamation. But no, they do not profess to
rest it upon any of the present live issues; it is
not this, but, we fear, far-fetched idea of some
thing at present wholly impracticable in polti-
cal action,
! AS the Convention is holden at the time of the
publication of this, SO that no knowledge Of it
can be had by the Convention, nor by us of thc
action of that body, it will have no bearing
upon the session in any manner, nor shall we be
accused of instigating opposition to the move
On the contrary, we have published the cali in
the most prominent part of our paper, and given
all due notice asked or known of its whereabouts
and objects.
We always admire any effervescea,ce of anti
slavery feeling, and we like the determined re-
sistanee now given to all Slavery aggressions.
But when, with the advice and consent Of every
anti-slavery man with whom we could get an
exchange of opinion, and all the leaders of the
old Liberty party, we asked the members of the
old Liberty Guard to come up to the support of
Col. Fremont, and the platform of principles
promulgated at Philadelphia, we did so with
firm conviction that the platform was broad
enough for all honorable opposition to Slavery
extension and its existence; and knowing that
the former vasoillating of the Liberty party in
connection with other parties, had well-nigh
worked its ruin, without in any manner lessen
ing the evil against which it labored, we deter
mined to abide by those principles and that Gr-
ganization until the result ofsuch action should
be apparent. And we now believe that, altho'
the Republican party is mot as perfect MS the law
Of Him who foresees all things, still the people
of the State and nation will, for the present,
choose to continue in support of the organiza-
ton, and in opposition 10 the measures Of the
supporters of The present National Administra-
ton The Democratic party. in both State and
nation, are in the midst Of a most disastrous in
ternal warfare, which threatens the whole future
existence Of the party; and it behooves the Anti
Slavery forces to maintain their united and har-
monious position, at beast until after the Presi-
Dental election now just at hand. Upon the
maintenance of that harmony most certainly
rests the success Of Anti-Slavery principles. And
however much We should delight to see more
radical opposition to Slavery, while SO much de-
ponds upon united action, and the prospect Of
victory is so promising, we cannot counsel the
formation of any political party seeking diyis-
ion Of the Republican organization Wethere-
fore hope that the tidings from the Convention
at Bradford will be harmonious with the Repub.
lican demonstration an every important particu.
lar-only seeking to peaceably elevate the stand
ard of the present Anti-Slavery action, morally
and politically, to the final abolition Of human
bondagea right which belongs to all.