Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1845-11-07

actual necessity the State will permit them N
enjoy the privilege of being shot, but can in
nowise put them to the Inconvenience of anv
previous preparation. But Thomas Van Rem.
s%elaer, ever ready to obey the call OF his conn
try, borrowed bayonet and belt, musket and
cartrid ge-box, and armed and equipped as the
law directs, appeared at the appointed hour on
the Battery.
In bearing and equipment he was as tall
and as good-looking a grenadier as one would
wish to see, and he took his position accordinp-
ly in the front rank with his fellow soldiers.
There was a movement in the ranks, and the
crowd around them-that just perceptible rus
tie, rather felt than seen, which denotes in an
assembly that something unusual and interes-
ting has Approximation he made his an
pearance. 1t was doubtless an involuntary
ac~knowled gment of the honor which one en-
empt from the tolls and the glories alike of
military life, had done them by thus prompt
ly signifyihg his Willingness to share in their
perils. But the captain, mindful of the hui
mainly of our just laws, and unwilling 10 i'm
pose upon the new recruit the duty of serving
his country when there was little probability
of his gaining the honor of a bullet or a BAY
onet through him, which under other circum-
stances she would be willing to bestow, beck
oned him aside.
did you receive a warning to trainl' asked
the captain.
ayes, Sir" replied Van Rensselaer,, giving
his name and residence.
"Ah! yes" said tie other, 81 remembcr.-
But there is some mistake
"None at all, Sir; | have the notice in my
pocket"
.'liem! yes. But you are not obliged to
train"
'.Oh! | know that Sir; but ! am a good cit
izen and am willing to serve the Site in any
capacity"
''Oh! no doubt, no doubt. Dut-but-the
fact is, the laws do not oblige colored men to
do military duty"
"Very true, Sir; but is there any law aginst
it,"
"No-not e-x-a-c-t-l-y. But"
every well, Sir, | choose to train. ! have
received your notice, and here | am all really
for service. The law doesn't oblig me to
train,-neither does it prohibit Inc. | prefer
t. do it,"
.'Yes, | sec, l see. But l will excuse
YOU"
Il don't want TO be excused, Sir"
Swell. | had rather excuse YOU"
"You are very kind; but | hav'n't the slight
est objection to training. /. wont take MS a
great while, Whit, iSiri'' -
''Oh! il will take us IN hour or so.''
swell, Sir, I'll train. | can spare the
time"
"But | don't want you TO-"
"But | had rather
swell, ! insist"
'''That | must notl'
s.Ies."
"Iou wont let mel"
"NO."
SO private Van Rensselaer, having carried
his point, of being denied the p~ririlege of ma
king a fool Of himself according to statute,
because he was colored, shouldered his mus
kct gave his unwilling commander a military
salute, and marched oil the field with the hon
ors of war. The redoul able captain %reliev-
ed his bosom by a hehv sigh of its pent-up
lemotion and as he wiped the cold SWEET from
his brow, thanked God that he was relieved
from the most dangerous foe that in all his
military experience he had ever encount red.
have related the occurrence, as nearly as
[ can recollect, precisely as it occurred. In
Justice to Mr.. Van Rensselaer,, | should aid,
lest the case be misunderstood, that his Only
motive was to test the strength Of the preju-
dice against cclor.-.4n.i-S iactry-Sanddrd.