Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1845-11-14


from every little cleft peeps the rich foliage
ofsome wind scattered seed. The Island itself
presents q quiet loneliness Of scenery, unsur-
passed by anything l have ever witnessed;
though Nature and are old friends, and she
has shown me many Of her choicest pictures,
in a light let in only from above. No form
Of gracefulness can compare with the bend of
flowing waters all round and ronnd a verdant
island. The circle typifes Love; and those
who read the spiritual alphabet, written all
over the earth, will see that a circle of ,caters
must be very beautiful. Beautiful it is, even
when the language it speaks is an unknown
tongue. Then the green hills beyond look
so very pleasant in the sunshine, with homes
nesting among them, like dimples on a smi-
ling face. The Island itself abounds with
| charming nooks-open wells in shady pla-
ces, screened by large weeping willows; gar
| den and arbors running down to the rivers
edge, TO look at themselves in the waters; and
pretty boats, like white-winged birds chased
by their shadows, ard breaking the waves in
to gems.
But man has profaned this charming retreat.
He has brought the screech owl, the bat, and
the ~vulture, into the holy temple of Nature.
The island belongs to government; and the
only buildings on it are the penitentlary, mad
house, and hospital; with a few buildings &C.
cupied by those connected with those insti-
t%utions. The discord between man and Ma
ture never before struck me so painfully; yet
it is wise and kind to place the erring and the
diseased in the midst of such calm, bright
influences. Man may curse, but Nature for
ever blesses. The g~uiltiest of her wandering
| children she would fain enfold within her
arms to the friendly heart-warmth of a moth
Il pr's hocopo Shn cnaaEc IN than nvar in tho
soft, low tones of earnest love; but they, alas,
tossed on the roaring, stunning surge of soci-
ETY., forget the quiet language.
AS l looked up at the massive walls of the
prison,it did my heart good to see doves nest
ling within the shelter of the deep, narrow
grated windows. / thought what blessed lit
tie messengers of heaven they would appear
to me, if | were in prison; but instantly a
shadow passed over the sunshine of my
thoughts. Alas, doves do not speak to their
souls, as they would to mine; for they have
lost their love for childlike and gentle things.
HOW have they lost it, Society with its I'M
equal distribution, its perverted education, its
manifold injustice, its cold neglect, its biting
mockery, has taken from them the gifts of
God. They are placed here, in the midst of
green hills, and flowing streams, and cooling
doves, after the heart is petrifed against the
genial influence of all such sights and sounds
A. usual, the organ of Justice (Which phre-
biologists say is unusually developed in my
skull) was reused into great activity by the
sight of prisoners. They said, "Would you
have them prev on society,"" answered 81
am troubled that society has preyed upon
them. i will not enter into an argument a.
bout the right Of society to punish these sim
ners; but | say she made them sinners. How
much | have done towards it, by yielding to
popular prejudices, obeying false customs,
and suppressing vital truths, | know not; but
doubtless l have done, and am doing my
share. God forgive me! If He dealt with
us, as we deal with our brother, who could
stand before Him! If society does make its
own criminals, how shall she cease to do it,
1t can be done only by a change in the strnc-
ture of society, that will diminish the temp
tations to vice, and increase the encourage
ments to virtue. If we can abolish poverfy,
we shall have taken the greatest step toward
the abolition of crime; aud this will be the final
triumph of the gospel of Christ. Diversities
of gifts will doubtless always exist; for the
law written on spirit, as well as matter, is in
finite variety. But when the kingdom of
God comes ION earth, as it is in heaven there
will not be found in any corner of it that pow
erty which hardens the heart under the Sc
we're pressure of physical suffering, and stul-
titles the intellect with toll for mere animal
wants. When public opinion regards wealth
as a means, and not as an end, men will no
longer deem penitentiaries a necessary evil;
for society will then cease to be a great school
for crime.