Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1846-05-15
6 III untcatfuus

FREHDs, M EDIroRs OF THE BUGLE -
| wish to see slavery abolished, aud there is
no doubt put it is the desire of every aboli.
ZIONIST in the llud to expedite its downfall
throughout the earth and the reason is foun-
ded in the belief, that mankind would be
greatly benefited by it; that peace and hap
piness would bless the human family, in a
manner now only familiar to the righteous.
If Shareholders or any of their advocates
should succeed in convincing anti-slaverv
people that it would be worse fol all parties
concerned to emancipate the slaves; and that
instead Of a rich harvest of blessings, curses
and misery would be the result, what aboli-
ZIONIST woull not cease Immediately his cla-
NOR about emancipation, and with due speed,
eliace all the inroads he had made upon the
peace of society. Is any abolit;onist afraid
to meet shareholders in argument? If he is
let him remember that he is not worthy of the
name; a %scrvile abolilionist would be an an
omaly. What! a man l%aboring for the free
dom of others, and not free himself! There
may be men who are unwilling to have their
opinions changed, bu. certainly there must be
few Of that class among professed liberty To-
vers, especially when it is known that moth
Ing but the t.uth can set US free; and who is
presumptuous enough to think that the truth
is all conferred in himself! and that it is proof
positive Of a mans ignorance to have a differ
ent opinion from his own! Is it not desira-
bic to have the opinions and arguments of all
our friends, aud enemies too, if we have any !
though the quicker we cease to use the word
enemy, the better; especially when applied to
our fellow men, for all are certainly aiming
to augment their own happiness, but we do
not understand each other.
Suppose the most inveterate STAKEHOLDER
should be convinced that his own peace as
well as that of his slaves, depended on his
setting them free, would he not do it! Com
vince an abolitionist that his present and rter-
nal peace depends on his becoming an owner
of slaves, and he certainly will become such.
Therefore il is strange that we should be any
thing but friends, however wide we differ in
opinion. 1t is as much on account of the
owner, as ofthe slave, that abolitionists should
labor, for certainly no persons on earth are in
a more abject state of vassallago they are in
a perfect sweat the whole time, with pure
fear, sometimes of Instruction, and some
times of anti-sldyery doctrine. AS hard as
the lot Of the slave is, it is easy compared
with that OF the owner. Some may say that
it is in the power of the STAKEHOLDER to relieve
himself; but it must be remembered that it
will be time enough to accuse him of delin-
quoncy, when we are no longer sinners our
selves. 1t would at the same time be well
to remember that as we lay aside sin, the
disposition to censure others naturally goes
with it.
Why not invite Shareholders to take par.
in our meetings, to write for our papers, TO
meet us in discussion, in fact, treat them like
brethren Of a commo father, all aiming to
find the truth, and to follow it. "As We
would that others should do unto you, do ye
even 50 unto thom )" it makes no difference
whether they are slaves or owners, white or
black, Arabs or Turks, the injunction is the
same. "As you measure out TO others it
shall be meted unto you" this is not only
Christianity, but truth in all its simplicity.
If we want Shareholders to listen to us, we
must listen to them. If we want slavehold-
ers to be liberal in the publication of anti
slavery doctrine, let US be willing to insert
what can be said in defence Of slavery. II
we wish them TO be free, let US be free