Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-01-06

The New York Courier and Enquirer justly
deprecates the discussion by Republican papers
OF candidates for the next Presidency, and
gives the following excellent illustration
g There is an old story which it would be
well to call to mind the story of a lion whose
residence was in jungle on the skirts Of
meadow occupied by q large herd Of kine-
The cattle, trusting rather to numbers than to
individual prowess, kept pretty close together.
The lion had but lonely and a hungry life of
1t, for whenever he took walk into the field he
saw nothing but phalanx of horns. At last
by means best known to the historians of those
days. he contriyed to win the confidence of the
peaceful beasts, swore eternal friendship, and
even adapted himself to their manners
! Whenever he got tetc. d-tete he took occasion
to crltlclse the absent members of the party, re-
tailed all kinds of gossip, and instilled the
worst suspicious. With such address did he
prosecute this game that in II few months not a
beast among them would Craze with his fellows,
and they dispersed themselves as much as pos
slble over the field. As it happened, one by
one they disappeared, nobody knew how, or, in
deeeAcared to ask and the lion, with numer-
ous@mily, was left in undisputed possession
II the Republican party desires to run no risk
OF, Il similar fate, it had better keep fast for the
present to its phalanx of horns, and not suffer
itself to be allurcd into canvassing of person
al claims and merits. 1t has as much as it can
well attend to for the present, in holding it,
ground against the rampant Pro Slavery spirit
OF the Federal government, There is enough
in the living duties of the day to employ I'LL it
ardor and energy ard it is the sheIght of folly
to attempt to fOrestall its action respecting can
didates to be selected and supported two year
hence The Republican party Of that periot
will be amply competent to designate its bes
representative man what is demanded now
the perlocting of principle and maturing of or
ganzation"
The Comier closes its article with tho follow
ing good counsel
." No party can grow and thrive that doe
not adapt itself to the temper of the times an
genially respond to every healthful movement
of public opinion. We have no idea that tn
Republican party will fail in this; it is to
young, has too vigorous and elastic constitu
ton Tenacious as it ever has been and, W
trust, ever will be OF its germinant principle,
still must undergo notifications, and shape il
SCH III some degree at least, III reference 10 TN
new events ard new issues which are inevitable
The nature and extent of these modification
are lair subject for discussion. Let them, a
time passes on and fresh facts arise be freel
canyassed. Nothing but advantage can com
from such discussion, if conducted in the RICH
spirit. What we deprecate is not this, but tn
unreasonable canvassng Of candidatcs--th
T premature pitting of the claims of this favorit
against the claims of that. Tins course is onl
calculated to beget jealousy and alienation, an
to damage all candidates indiscrmately by dan
, aging the party itself. Principles and polio
now challenge attention-not men.