The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-03-17

hunger, for almost twenty years, to Sc
cure a place where Vermont was the
equal of any state in the federal union.
Your resolutions are unworthy of their
descendants. Pass them, and with my
associates 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 dignity
when took my seat there was for
some moments an oppressive silence,
followed at last by what appeared to be
burst of genuine applause.
But an ancient Democrat, whose
mind was impervious to argument, then
arose and observed that as the boy had
spoken his piece, we might as well pro-
coed to the business of the convention"
No one else spoke. There was sub
/ dued affirmative vote, and sharp No
not challenge the vote, the chairman de-
clared the resolutions carried, and the
opposition party of six, walked out of the
convention. There was an affort to
raise hiss. 1t failed; and we took our
departure in profound and unbroken
silence.
(Mr. Chittenden is partially in error
here. The resolutions committee did re-
port platform such as he describes,
but E. d. Barber offered resolution to
the effect that congress had the consti-
tutional power to prohibit slavery in the
new territories, and ought to exercise it;
and that was carried The bolt of the
free soil Democrats took place upon the
adoption of resolutions in support of Mr..
Cass, as the national nominee, who then
stood certainly as the representative of
the southern wing of the party.)
I'VE crossed the street to the Pavilion
hotel entered the room we had occu-
pied and closed the door. Barber was
requested to take the chair, and Rowe !
to act as secretary. Field arose, saying
he had a motion to make which he had
committed to writing. He was brief but
comprehensive. L move he read,
that We organize new party, to be
called the Free soil party" that its plat
form shall be uncompromising resistance
to the extension of slavery or the slave
power; that we select state committee
OF five persons; that we establish a
weekly newspaper to be published in
Burlington, and called Free Soil Courier;
that we asses ourselves for money
enough to pay for publishing four num-
bers; that we name its editors; that the
fist number be issued as early as it can
be prepared, and that it contain our adj
dress to the people of Vermont
"There was no discussion, for the mo-
ton was drawn after consultation of the
previous evening. 1t was passed at once
mem. con. and the first free soil party
formed in this republic, and out of the
loins of which came most effective po-
litical organization witnessed by the 10Th
century-the grand old Republican party
was organized
Field was then appointed to write the
address. Edward A. StansAury, an ac-
tive young, anti-slayery Wing, was in Il e
hotel. He was sent for, came, and after
our action was explained, agreed to join
us, and to become the temporary editor
of the Courier. We then subscribed $50
each to the publication fund, and adj
journed in time for an early dinner. Be-
fore the arrival of the daily stage for
Burlington flor Vermont had no rail
roads them, Field had completed his ad-
dress to the people. 1t was read, amend
ed and adopted. | was named as chair
man and Stansbury as member of the
state committee, and we were authorized
to name the three remaining members
two from the old Wing, and one from the
Democratic party.
Gas l 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 to the great
majority. For few moments 1 call
back Barber, his round moon-lille face
beaming with delight as he croons the
death song of the Democratic party
which he is composing. Stansbury, his
sharp eyes sparkling through his gold
trimmed spectacles, is hunting for some
one whom he may pitch into always
perferring 'Hunker.' Rowell, expert
with the pen, is making list of our
probable recruits to whom the Courier
is to be sent Field, saturnine and sol
emn, declares that, as he cOntemplates
the wreck of the Democracy, he for the
| first time understands the sensations of
Marius surrounded by the ruins of Car
thage. he woul perfera nice, fresh ruin
with an agreeable OdOr, he declares, for
those of the Democracy have stale and
| graveyard kind of smell; while Walker
reco nmends to Henry Stevens of Barnet,
! that, as those ruins are already desicated,
he should gather them up and deposit
them in his respectable for things lost
upon earth. Even yet, there is sensa-
| ton of fun about the whole memory;
for we were all then enjoying life in the
freshness and vigor of that youth which
alas! never returns.
Al,,A -,