Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1846-03-20
"THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY"


The EIitor Of this paper seems considera-
bly, moved because of our query whether he
would apply the same arguments to justify
the connection of Joshua II. Giddings with
a pro-slavery party as he did in vindica-
ton of Samuel Lewis connection with a
pro-slavcry chdrch. The first line Of his ar
ticle declares the Bugle to DO "a Garrisoni-
an organ" Had we called his paper a Bir-
ney organ, we could more readily account for
his use of the term he applied to us, but in
the absence of such reason, it looks to say
the least very like a dash of ill humor--
The gist Of his argument il the article refer
red to is this. Giddings clectioneers for the
Wing party, and ondeavors to destroy the
Liberty party while Lewis sustains the LIB
erty party, and endeavors to overthrow the
Wings. The Liberty party is the only par.
ty, which seeks for the abolition Of slavery,
and if Lewis will do the work Of that party,
its members have no right to question his &C.
clesiastical relations - they have nothing to
do with his religious views.
We do not however fully comprehend the
character Of Liberty party. We a:e aware
it is rather chlmeleon-like in its nature Its
different advocates describe it differently
DR.. Bailey of Cincinnati says 1t is purely a
political party. f. Wade of the Reserve c.
nunerAtes prayer as one of its measures, and
declares that its members. as such, are bound
to exercise all the individual and associated
powers they conscien,iously can, socially,
morally, politically and religiously. X. c.
Fleeson Of Pittsburg contends that as a party
it has nothing to do with a candidates religious
opinions provided he does, or is willing to
do the work Of the party. The members Of
the recent Trumbull Co. Liberty party Con-
v%ention, resolved they were as much deter.
mined as ever to oppose slavery socially, NOR
ally, and politically.
The editor of the Spirit of Liberty, a short
time since could not see how any friend Of
the slave could be a member of such a church
as disciplined McAbee and that church
was the NJ. E. On this hint we spake, and
gave him a gentle admOnition because OF his
approval Of the nomination of one Of the
preachers of that connection as Liberty par
tvs gubernatorial candida e in Ohio. This
brought from him a defence Of the party IL
~Eelation TO Samuel Lewis. In reply we shall
ask what are the general professions OF tina
party, and what are the doctrines it teaches
list. 1t declares the inherent sinfulnesg oil
slavery, and contends that the ballot box is
the means by which the slaves deliveranc CT
is to be wrought. 2nd. That memb ershiI
in a pro-slaVery political party is s%uficien
evidence that he who holds il is not fit to bt
entrusted with the interests Of humanity
3rd. That the candidates it dominates are ev
cry wa" worthy the confidence of Anti-Sla
very men, and are the only candidates witt
are worthy.
Inasmuch as Liberty party contends for tn
inherent sinfulness Of slavery, it is bound I
draw the legitimate deduction from thi
premise, that all voluntary support OF slave
nv is also sinful. That the church voluntar
ly ~sustains il, has been most conclusivel
shown by some of the leading members
that party, and its presidential candidate hi
even gone SO far as to declare "The AmeI
can Church, the Bulwark Of American 81
very" Admitting, for the sake Of argumer