John Thomas to Frederick Douglass, June 14, 1852
The Free Soilers of New York.
Dear Sir:—It is well to notice the course of the leading Free Soilers of New York, to see not only what they have done, but what they intend to do with their followers. Among them, none are more conspicuous in this State, than Henry B. Stanton and John Van Buren. It was all important that they, and such as they, should attend the Democratic ratification meeting in New York, to express for themselves, and of course for their followers, an attachment to the Baltimore nomination, and the platform of principles the Convention established.
The course of Mr. Stanton, in this regard is more noticeable by liberty men, from the fact, that he was an abolitionist, and a distinguished member of the Liberty Party.—He pledged himself to the support of the Pierce ticket in fervid terms. He took no exception to Pierce or Butler, or the platform on which they are nominated. In regard to the effect of the nomination, he was highly enthusiastic and loudly cheered. He said, "it would break down the middle wall of partition which had divided the Democracy of this State
." As much as to say the Barnburners and Democrats could now amalgamate on the Baltimore platform.
John Van Buren was never a member of the Liberty Party, but by many has been taken to be an abolitionist, and suspected of having a strong inclination in the direction of the Liberty Party. Mr. Van Buren seemed to feel that he could not use strong language enough to express his determination to abide with the Democratic Party thereafter. He pledges more extravagant.—He said "hereafter he should only inquire of a candidate whether he was a Whig or a Democrat." The following is a brief extract from his speech on that occasion from the Evening Post:
"Such a ticket I can cheerfully support.—I congratulate you that it has been presented; and I can do more—I can stand upon the platform laid down at Baltimore. (Cheers.) The State of New York can stand upon that platform, (renewed cheers,) and I do not stop to cavil, or inquire by what vote it was adopted, under what circumstances presented, or what authenticity is due to the proceedings by which it has been made public. I shall approve of such a platform for this election, and can cheerfully and unreservedly stand upon it. (Cheers.)
I shall not detain you by calling your attention to the various provisions of that platform; but it is due to you and to me that I should advert briefly to that which has been the cause of difference between us. You understand me as alluding to the subject of slavery, to the resolution passed upon that subject by that Convention; and I acquiesce in the various measures passed by Congress upon the subject of slavery, INCLUDING THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW."
Many honest Liberty Party men followed Mr. Stanton and Van Buren in '48. Will they follow them now, and mount the Baltimore platform of '52? I think not. They will return to the Liberty Party, with an unutterable disgust and contempt for men who have thus misled them, and who are thus treacherous to humanity.
John Thomas.
Syracuse, June 14, 1852.