Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-03-02


they supposed that the absolute control of
the territories had been vested in Congress.
This satire produced an uneasy feeling in
the convention. Throwing il aside, | now,
with all the earnestness of which | was
master, exclaimed, "You who assert the
power Of leadership are making 1t impossi-
BILE for Vermonter who respects himself to
remain in the democratic party. Your res
olutions prostitute that party TO the service
Of the slave power. Our ancestors fought
two states and kingdom through cold and
poverty and hunger, for almost twenty
years, to secure place where Vermont was
the equal Of any State in the Federal Union.
Your resolutions are unworthy of their do
scendants Pass them, and with my asso-
ciates leave this hall for the time being and
the democratic party forever, unless it is
redeemed from its present vassallage and
restored to its former principles and digni-
ty."
When | took my seat there was for some
moments an oppressive silence, followed at
last by what appeared TO be O burst OF gen
une applause.
But an ancient democrat, whose mind was
| impervious to argument, then arose and
observed that as ''the boy had spoke his
piece we might as well proceed to the bust
ness OF the convention" No one else spoke
There was r. subdued affirmative vote and a
sharp mo- from the six, to the resolutions
We did not challenge tho vote, the chair
man declared the resolutions carried, and
the opposition party Of six walked out Of
the convention. There was an effort to
raise hiss. 1t failed; and we took our de-
perture in profound and unbroken 81
lence.
We crossed the street to the Pavilion Ho-
tel, entered the room we had occupied, and
closed the door. Burber was requested to
take the chair, and Rowel to act as secre-
tary. Field arose, saying he bad motion
to make which he had committed to writ
ing. He was brief but comprehensive. 81
move, y he read, THAT we organize a new
party, to be called the Free soil party, that
its platform shall bo uncompromsing resist
ance to the extension of slavery or the slave
power; that we select State committee OF
five persons; that we establish a weekly
newspaper to bs published in BurIing-
ton, and called FREQ Soil Courier; that
we assess ourselves for money enough
to pay for publishing four num-
bers; that we name it's editors; that the
| first number be issued as early as it can be
prepared, and that it contain our address to
| the people of Vermont
There was no discussion, for the motion
was drawn after consultation of the pre-
vious evening. 1t was passed at once nem.
con-, and the first free soil party formed in
this republic, and out of the loins of which
came the most effective political organiza
tion witnessed by the 10Th century-the
grand old republican party-was organ
lied.
Field was then appointed to write the ad-
dress. Edward A. Stansbury, an active,
young, anti-savery wing, was in tho hotel.
He was sent for, came, and after our actor
was explained, agreed to join US, and to be-
come the temporary editor Of the Courier.
We then subscribed $50 each to the publ
cation fund, and adjourned In time for an
early dinner. Before the arrival of the
daily stage for Burlington TOR Vermont
had no railroads them Field had completed
his address to the people, 1t was read,
amended, and adopted. l was named as
chairman and Stansbury as a member OF
the State committee. and we were author
lied to name the three remaining members
two from the old whig. and one from the
| democratic party.
AS | write after the lapse of As years, the
scenes Of that day come back to me with
vivid distinctness. Except myself all the
actors have gone over 20 tho great ma jority.
| For few moments | call back Barber, his
| round, moon-like face beaming with delight
as he croons the death song of the demo
cratic party which he is composing. STAINS
bury, his sharp ey es sparkling through his gold
trimmed spectacles, is hunting for some one
whom he may ''pitch into, " always prefer
ring "Hunker." Rowell, expert with the
pen, is making list of our probable re-
cruts to whom the Courier is to be cent.
Field, saturninc and solemn. declares
that, as he contamplates the wreck
OF the democracy, he for tho first
time understands the sensations OF Marius
surrounded by the ruins of Carthage. He
would prefer nice, fresh ruin with an
! agreeable door, he declares for those of the
democracy have stale and graveyard kind
Of smell; while Walker recommends to Hen
ry Stevens Of Barnet that, as those ruins
are already desiccated, no should gather
them up and deposit them in his receptacle
for things lost upon earth. Even yet there
is a sensation of fun about the whole mem
ory; for we were all then enjoying life in
the freshness and vigor Of that youth which,
alas never returns.
We never paid our subscriptions to the
Free Soil Courier. Ga the first day of
June Stansbury brought out the first num-
Der. Ii was so racythat the old hand pres,
upon which it was printed was kept run
ming until it was wanted for the second
number. Subscriptions for the twelve
numbers to be issued before the September
election ceme in SO rapidly that the enter
prise was paying one from tho start.
am aware that it is the prevailing opin-
ion that there were no organizations of the
free soil party in the New Englan States
until after the Buffalo convention, held in
August. Even Henry Wilson, who is
usually accurate, fell into that error Our
organization had been in active operation
for six weeks before the Buffalo convention
was called.