Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1845-12-05

Its dissemination, we should confidently cher
ish lofty expectations of what these bodies
would do to benefit the people during the
coming winter; but the general character of
the men who compose them, is in perfect con-
formity with the selfish design Of the parties
that sent them there, and with the oppressive
governments they are sworn to sustain.
Those who have at all mingled in the po-
litical contests of the land, whose sympathies
and exertions have been enlisted in behalf OF
a favorite candidate, must know that in the
partisan ranks there is to be found meanness
and profliglcy, the basest deception and the
most degrading v~enality. Not that either
party will admit this to be true Of itself, but
the Wings often charge it upon the Demo-
Gratis, and the Democrats as often throw
back the charge upon the Wings. There is
abundant evidence on every hand to show
that this is not only true Of the Wings and
Democrats, but measurahly so of every par
ty which exists. All know the corrupting
tendency Of power upon the human heart, and
in proportion as the parties acquire it-other
things being equals their corruption.
1t is not by legislation that the world is to
bs regeneratcd. True, the legislator may
record the progress of morality, may mark
upon his statute book the height to which
has risen the food-tide of humanity, but as a
legislator, he can do nothing more. Those
who think otherwise, deceive themselves by
mistaking an effect for a cause. Moral re-
generation can never be effected by the pass
sge Of statutes. "Be it enacted" never yet
changed the heart of any man. We grant
that if backed up by the bayonet and sword,
by cannon and musquotry, it has power over
his actions TO a certain extent; and by opera
ting upon his fears, may make him play the
hypocritc, and seem to be warmed with holy
in his bosom. Such legislation IS worse than
useless. for it calls away the attention Of the
people from the moral evil which lies con-
osaled within, and fixes it upon the outward
appearing. 1t may vhitcn the sepulchre and
make it beautiful to the sight, but within it
is full Of dead mems bones, and ali unclean-
ness.
We have more than intimated that the men,
bers of the Assembly of Ohio, and of tho L.
niied States Congress are not the men to do
the work of their ownaccord, even if legisla-
ton were the way in which the work was tc
be accomplished. They are the representa-
tivss Of those parties, which have from the
earliest period Of our national existence, tram
pied under foot tao rights Of man whenever
II suited their interest so to do. They arc
the defenders and successors Of those who
converted this republic into an acknowledged
baud OF pirates. pledged to engage for twenty
long years in the democratic business Of steal
ing men, women and children. They arc the
defenders and successors Of those who made
provision for the recapturc Of the flying bond
man, and for the butchery of those WHO rcsis'
their oppressors. They are the representa-,
tives and successors Of those, who to concil.
late tho slave power purchased Florida and
Louisiana, and erected them together with
Missouri into slave Statcs-who carried on {
blood hound war with the Seminole Indians
employed the officers CT the army for slave
catchers, and meanly stole Texas from tMt
Mexican government. They are the repre-
sentatiyes and successors of those who gagg
ed their constituents, and branded thci, fell
low citizen, who have basely succumbed tt
tie slave power, ard in every political move
ment consulted the wishes Of a slaveholdinG
oligarchy in preference TO the interests of tht
laboriug man. Nor is it strange that thosi
who owe their elevation to the approval Q
such as rule in this land, should not dare t
act in opposition to tho wishes Of those VIII,
breathed into them the breath Of political life
Thomas Morris dared to be a man, and h
was hurled from his seat in tho Senate Cham
Der, and followed by the maledictions of hi
former political friends. John p. Hale con
tended in tho Hall of Representatives for ma
tonal honesty and national honor, and h
went forth an exile from his party. Such i
the policy of political organizations, such i
the treatment they bestow upon those VIII
dare to be independent of their trammels, an
20 think and act for themselves. He who i
true to man is a traitor to his party, and an
quarter 10 Traitors" is the motto they hav
inscribed upon their banners.
We have no faith in party tactics, or part
policy. The contests which periodically ag
itate this nation, are contests for power, an
.-l..I Al. I.,,,,