Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-06-15
Senator Poland.

appear next week.
We hope all who read the Standard,
will read this speech; if for no other
purpose, that they may see how abomi-
nably wicked that SANDER is, which
whispers it about, that Judge Poland
is politically unsound. This same
SANDER says he is an old Democrat,
and not fit to be trusted with the mo-
mentous issues Of the present day that
though Republican by profession, he
is untried, and that only tried men,
like Mr.. Morrill,, should be elevated
to places of responsibility and trust.
There is a popularity about this
SANDER quite unusual; it is this; it is
not content with berating Judge Po-
land, merely; but it takes upon itself
a very singular Office indeed for SLAM
der, viz: that of extolling and glorify- |
ing Mr.. Morrill,. This SANDER has |
not only victim, but hero. 1t not
only pulls down, but builds up; and
from this fact, candid men feel that it
is probably only base resort one of
the low arts Of electioneering chicane-
ry; and ought to be ferreted and ex-
posed. Without stopping however to
trace it to its source, and name its
author, let US for a moment examine
the charge; and in doing this we
must briefly review Judge Poland's
political history, which may be said to
have begun at about the time of the
Mexican War. The probability that
that war, would lead to the acquisition
of extensive territory in the Southwest,
early led to an agitation Of the slavery
question. In 1916, David Wilmot, Of
Pennsylvania, introduced into con-
gress, a proposition, t h a t slavery
should be prohibited in all territory
that might be acquired by treaty.
The measure, from its author, was
called the "Wilmot Proviso." This
provision failed to receive the sanction
of congress; and the question being
thrown before the country for dis
cussion, a party, holding the views
advocated by Mr.. Wilmot, was organ
lied. This party took the name OF
Free Sellers; and in June, 1S48, nom
mated Martin Van Buren,, for the
Presidency. Of this party, in the
State of Vermont, Judge Poland, His
Excellency, Paul Dillingham;, and the
Hon. Thomas Bartlett, Jr., ofLyndon.
were the most influential leaders; and
on this Free Soil issue, the two latter
wentinto Congress, and Judge Poland
took seat upon the bench of the SUI
preme Court. The Judge, though al
old time Democrat, was always known
as fearless, outspoken, anti-slaver!
man; and was generally in a quarre
with the party leaders on that &C
count. He was in fact, one of tn
most prominent and able leaders Q
the Free Soil movement in this State
and to the advocacy of the doctrine
of the proviso, he brought an eloquence
earnestness and ability, equalled b
few, and excelled by none. In 1884,
he carried proviso resolutions throug
the Lamoille county, Democratic col
vention, after a severe fight, with th
old leaders; and in the Fall of tn
same year, during the session of th
Legislature at Montpelier, he aide
in doing the same thing, in the Dem'
cratic Legislative Caucus.
Gen. Cass, the regular Democrat
candidate, in 184S, came out and d
clared against the proviso; wherein
on the Free Soil party held a conve
ton at Buffalo, and as before state
nominated Van Buren,, for Presiden
This convention adopted platforI
principally the work Of Chief JustiC
Chase, which, in its essential feature
was identical with the Republican pla
form of 1860. On this platform in 81
as well as in 1860, stood Saline
P. Chase, present Chief Justice, Jof
P. Hale, late United States Senate
from New Hampshire; and in our oW
State, Luke P. Poland, Paul Dillin
ham and Thomas Bartlett. The pol
tics of all these men, was the same
1848, that it was in 1860, and is t
day. Wehave it upon good authorit
and here make the statement, th;
since 1S48, Judge Poland has not gi
en- Democratic vote; having, if v
are rightly informed, voted in 185
for Hale and Julian,-Free Soil
1856, for Fremont and Dayton,
1860, for Lincoln and Hamlin, and
1854, for Lincoln and Johnson.
We well remember, how in 1876
when the political atmosphere WI
clouded, and the result of the Pres
Dental canvass doubtful, Judge P
land was confident of Mr.. Lincoln
success. 1t will also be remembers
how, during the late war,he was alwa.
hopeful, and ever had a word of e
couragement for those, who, in tt
field, were struggling with the he