Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1845-10-17

States to support slavery, aud 1t is as much
a violation OF the Federal Constitution, as it
Is an encrolchment upon our rlghts;-and in
proportion as these usurpations become IA
grant, in the same proportion will the Con-
~stltution be violated and the interests AMI
the honor of the free States be outraged.
Much is said as to the character of the
trainers of the Constitution. They unqueS-
tionably made concessions in favor of the
siaveholding interest. This would not be
done at the present; but had We lived at that
period, surrounded by the circumstances
with which they were surrounded, it is not
unlikely that we might have voted fof its
adoption. But | do not see that our opin-
ions of the Constitution ought in any way
to be affected by the character Of its trainers.
If it be defective let it be amended. To say
that it is imperfect, is no Impeachment of
the integrity of its trainers. They were
doubtless honest patriotic men, and did what
they then thought best for the country; but
were they now living, and had witnessed the
outrages committed upon the Constitution
by the slageholding power, | have no idea
they would frame another compact, bestow-
ing upon the slave Stltes the unequal influ-
ence given them by our present Constitution.
The fatal .rror into which they were drawn,
was the adoption Of that clause which gives
to the slave States a political power propor-
toned to the slaves they hold in bondage
Slavery and freedom are antagoniSns. They
are irreconcileably opposed 10 each other
Southern statesmen are accustomed to legis-
late for slavery and oppression: Northern
statesmen for freedom and the rights of man.
The interests of slave labor controls the
Southern policy,-that of free labor dictates
the North. Hence, the error OF giving un-
equal powers to the slavehOlding interest.
That clause of the Constitution to which
| refer gave an undue and disproportionate
power in the Federal Government to the
slavehol .ing interest. From the fatal houl
of its nd ption to the present day, that power
has bee eXerted against the rights of the
free Staies-and against the liberties Of man
| kind. Under this clause of tie Constitu-
ton slavery was introduced into the gov
eminent as an element Of political power
il tn slave St!.e;. . Ii as spread
its virus into every department of the
| administration Its poison "A . ueen diffused
trough every vein and arte y Of the body
,olitic; it has corrupted The fountains OF
.ife; its %scirrous tumors arc fast gathering
lpon the vjtllS of the nation. Speedy anC
efficient measures alone C II save the Repub
lie from that dissolution to which IT is rapid
V approaching. With this unjust and une-
jual influence, the slave interest ms usurr-
ed to itself powers alb I'VE the Constitutional u
lrampled upon the rights -. tnr Tree States
with perfect impunlty. SEEING upon the
power of government, at an early day, II
discarded the Constitution which was adopt
ed for ''the purpose Of securing the bless
inrs Of liberty"-lnd welded our national
influence to pepetulte the rurSe Of Amerl-
can slavery. Before the naughty vapour-
inps of southern Members Of Congress,
northern Statesmen, u~nassuming in then
uanners, and retiring in their habits, were
carly accustomed t. cover. The history of
oWr government is an exhibition Of continual
arrogance on the part of the south, and OF
constant submission on the part OF the north;
of southern encr Jachmcnt and of northern
surrender. 1t is / most humiliating fact that
the rodonontade of Southern men silenced
debate in Con rreSs on all subjects where
slavery was concerned. If the rights of the
free States happ ,ned to come in contact with
the interests of slavery, i'll discussion in IA
vor Of the form n and against the latter wa;
silauced; while southern members, with bu
living swiggef, would declare the gloric.
and blessings Of '.ihe peculiar institution
and look unutt Fable contempt upon those
whom they las lltingly term "northern dough
faces" If a northern member, under a sensC
of duty, were to attempt "a reply, he wa'
compelled to DO it in such language as was
dictited by southern shareholders. If hC
gave vent to his feelings OF self-respect, o
spoke the Ian guige OF freedom, he was in
. stlntly silenc' II by southern insolence aideC
by northern poIlroonery. While sitting Il
: the Hall of Representatives and compelleI
: for hours to listen to language insulting t
every citizen Of our free States, without tn
privilege Of reply, ! have deeply felt the dc
r;adation to which the people of the mort
t were subjected.
The people of this Congressional DistriC
n are aware that in 1912 it was reg irded d
oilensiye to Southern dignity for a Norther
; member to express his views in favor of tn
e most Obvious rights of the free States. Ii
deed, 50 ~servile had the feelings of son
), northern members of Congress become, tn.
they voted to censure a fellow member f
II daring to assert the Constitutional rights
the free States. Many northern papers col
1t demned the act; others spoke OF it as inIprl
d dent and iA-imed; while but few appeare
y willing frankly to declare or maintain Il
'e correctness Oh Il uo'tIlhC hO hoItieIH ma
d dared deny. So vitilted had northern sent
T. ment become in respect to slavery, that
free expression of opinion in regard to Il
crime of that institution was scarcely tole
OF ated in our social circles. The disssmin
n ton of truth in relation to slavery was o
structed in every mode which slaveholdir
as ingenuity could invent. Mobs were collie
n, ted: the laws of the federal and State go
eminent were set at defiance: southern pc
90 offices were violated: private correspondent
N exposed: printing presses destroyed: Mort