Syracuse University Library
Special Collections Research Center
Gerrit Smith Broadside and Pamphlet Collection

National Liberty Party.

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874.

Digital Edition.

This digitization project was supported by Regional Bibliographic Databases and Interlibrary Resources Sharing Program funds, awarded by the New York State Library.

Call number: Smith 482

NATIONAL LIBERTY PARTY.

1^st. Resolved, that the Liberty Party cannot consent to fall below, nor, in any degree, to qualify, its great central principle, that all persons - black and white, male and female - have equal political rights, and are equally entitled to the protection and advantages of Civil Government.

2d. Resolved, that, inasmuch as murder is an element in the infernal compound of slavery, there can no more be a law for slavery than for murder.

3d. Resolved, that passing events, instead of shaking, do but confirm, our conviction, that no political party can bless the world, or be blest of God, which does not follow the example of the Liberty Party, and take for its basis impartial and universal political righteousness: and which does not follow the example of the Liberty Party, and rely less upon its numbers than upon the truthfulness and value of its doctrines.

4^th. Resolved, that the Free Democracy will fail, as did the Free Soil Party, unless it shall openly and fearlessly aim to identify itself with every political truth; - as well with the political truth, that Government is bound to suppress the traffic in intoxicating drinks, and to put an end to laud-monopoly, as with the political truth, that Government is bound to enact no law, and obey no law, and know no law for slavery, or any other piracy.

The Convention then nominated WILLIAM GOODELL of New-York for President of the United States. S. M. BELL of Virginia for Vice President.

After an hour's intermission, the Convention reassembled: and GERRIT SMITH presented the following Address, which was adopted:

To the Liberty Party,

Notwithstanding we believe, that the mass of the members of the Free Democracy are in substantial agreement with the Liberty Party; and notwithstanding we believe, that the platform, constructed at Pittsburgh in the name of the Free Democracy, is, if judged of in the light of its general principles and declarations, instead of the unhappy specifications and admissions, which contradict those principles and declarations, essentially the platform of the Liberty Party; we, nevertheless, believe, that the organization of the Liberty Party should be maintained; - at least until such time, as the Free Democracy shall, in its aims and character, be indisputably and manifestly one with the Liberty Party.

And notwithstanding our high respect for John P. Hale and George W. Julian, and our confidence, that they are earnest abolitionists and generous philanthropists, and our deep desire, that they may draw many hundreds of thousands of votes from the proslavery candidates of the proslavery parties, we, nevertheless, cannot commend them to the votes of the Liberty Party, until we certainly know, that they embrace the distinctive and vital principles of that Party. To the end, then, that the Liberty Party may honor and preserve these precious principles, and to the end too. that it may thus hasten the day, when they shall become, distinctly and unquestionably; a part of the creed of the Free Democracy, we have nominated candidates for the Presidency and Vice Presidency.

John P. Hale and George W. Julian, if indeed not already prepared to represent the Liberty Party, will, we believe, be prepared to do so, ere long. But our candidate, Mr. Goodell, does now represent it. In him is a present, as well as unambiguous and full representation of its great and ultimately triumphant principles. We cannot speak as strongly of our other candidate, Mr. Bell; - for he is comparatively a stranger to us. Nevertheless from the fact, that he subscribed the Minority or Liberty Party Report at Pittsburgh, we infer, that the principles of the Liberty Party are his principles.

Pre-eminently entitled, as are Mr. Goodell and Mr. Bell to a large vote, we nevertheless expect, that it will be very small. It would be small, even were it the vote of all the members of their Party. But much smaller will it be, now, that so many of its members, believing that Mr. Hale and Mr. Julian do, already, hold to all the great principles of the Liberty Party, will, therefore, vote for them, instead of for Mr. Goodell and Mr. Bell. Whilst, however, we shall not reproach them for so voting; we, nevertheless, believe, that the voting of Liberty Party men for Messrs. Hale and Julian is, to say the least, premature. On the other band, we believe, that, in no event, can our voting for Messrs. Goodell and Bell prove a matter of regret to us. Such voting will contribute to continue the organization of the Liberty Party: and the continued organization of that Party, cannot fail to promote the improvement and success of the Free Democracy. Again, should it turn out, as we believe it will not, that the Free Democracy, instead of advancing and triumphing, shall fall back and perish, then there will remain, in the surviving Liberty Party, a sound nucleus, around which political reformers can gather for the accomplishment of their high and holy objects.

NEW YORK STATE LIBERTY PARTY.

WILLIAM R. SMITH of Wayne for Governor.
J. PRESTON MANN of Jefferson for Lieutenant Governor.
CHARLES A. WHEATON of Onondaga for Canal Commissioner.
WILLIAM SHAPCOTT of Cayuga for State Prison Inspector.

The Convention also nominated Presidential Electors.

WILLIAM SHAPCOTT of Auburn will furnish, without charge, State Tickets and Electoral Tickets to those, who may apply to him for them. It is hoped, that he will have applications from many Counties.