Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1846-08-14

VIC III us TemOnStrance, that the Assembly,
excited to indignation, were ready to refuse
The document even a reading. One of the
Doctors, more wary and more president than
the rest, advised to moderation, to forbear-
ahce' 1t, said he, we reject this ~fratcrnll
letter, we renounce communion with the
Presbyterian Church OF Canada if we re-
nounce communion with the Church of
Canada, we must renounce communion with
the Free Church of Scotland, and with the
Presbyterian Church of Ireland. And then
where is the Presbyterian Church Of the
United States Of America Alone in the
world. And the brethren heard the Church
OF Canada through, though what more they
did, am not informed. | know, however,
that for the first two weeks Of their meeting
both branches of this church were occupied
with Slavery, as a leading subject. A large
part OF the Unitarian Clergy have openly de-
clared themselves abolitionists the Froewill
barust Church has gone over in a body TO
that side of the question. The Methodist
Church Is actually rent asundcr upon it,
Many of the New England Orthodox Con-
gregatlonalists have taken decided and strong
ground upon it. And the Episcopal Church
is only waiting, as one of her sons has said,
tilt she can "move with dignity, propriety
and effect"
What do we now see! Why, a total re-
vOlutlon, Sir, in the state of the public mind
a substantial and prevailing popular senti-
ment. against which no Institutions can long
maintain themselves deep seated and heart
felt respect for human rights and the bless
ings of freedom and knowledge and christi
anity, which cannot subsist in the same coun-
try, or the same age, with a systematic OPP
preston, that cuts off millions of human be-
ings from every thing elevating in knowledge,
every thing precious in freedom. every thing
divine and heavenly in our holy Religion
And this great change is one OF the fruits of
discussion.
Another effect of this discussion is that il
has attracted TO us the attention Of the world.
The Increased intercourse among the civil
lied nations has introduced a new standard
OF national justice and honor-the public
sentiment of the world. We feel the force
of the opinions Of mankind we recognize
the authority Of the conscience Of the human
race. No people. of any cultivation, can be
wholly regardless Of this august tribunal
No usage of society, no public wrong, no ma
tlonal error or immortality, that falls under
the condemnation OF this memorable Judge,
Is likely long to m~aintlin itself. The cIti-
zen of the offending State, in his inigratians
NiN SbJOuA li'sSs dblpdu, l. ulfIhtl anu rep
rotated. lie feels ill at ease out of his own
country. He looks back 10 it with moriili-
cation, and returns to it with a diminished
self-respect. His patriotism is humbled.-
As the traveller, who leaves the cabin Of one
OF our western steamboats,, at the rising OF
the Sun, and energies into the air of the YER
dant, fragrant morning, dreams not in what
an atmosphere he has passed the night, till
he rpturDS To If Sn the Gillian .T ON i,o,p-
%sistent, erring, SHINING, Republic, bred
amidst the wrongs Of has native land, must
60 out from it before he can see lis institu-
TONS and lis character in their true light
The American citizen sees the oppression
pTacticed and justified in his W country,
most clearly, and feels the shame most keen
ly, as he comes home again from the monar-
chies Of the Old World. There is no longer
Il country OF Europe, where an American
Republican is secure from reproach. Our
darhHeSS is made to shine the world over
Our discussions have discovered our guilt 4;
have published our disgrace; have brought
down upon US the denunclatiOn and repGuba-
ton OF civilized man, every where. 1 take
no pleasure In 1t as a national dishonor; but
something Is to be expected from it as a ma
tional remedy.
These discussions have lone yet more
They have brought the LITERATURE of the
world to bear upon the institution Of Ameri-
can Slavery.
The instruments Of human power are great
~ changed. Armies, forts, a~TSenals and
ships OF war have ceased TO be the main en-.
gines OF influence among men. Government
Itself Is a secondary agency in human affairs
The little column Of mysterious characters
which so puzzled and veXed our childhood
has come to have more weight, in the hislo
ny OF the world, than all the bayonels ant
cabinets Of Europe. The press is the pre-.
dominant element Of our civilization. Soci
ETY. is more directed and moulded by it thar
by all other causes. And the press, in al
It's departments, from the great production,
Of Genius down TO The daily illusions Of flu,
gitive thought in Magazines and newspapers
Is substantially free III its tone. No work 0
original mind, no creation of a lofty philo
sophie or poetic inspiration, ever breathe;
"A slavlsh spirit such a spirit is at war will
the sentiments Of true genius in all ages. |
has nothing in IT congenial with the gener
Gus views, the liberal feelings, the humane
phllanlhropic enthusiasm Of a profound anC
permanent Literature.
The spirit of Literature, more especial
christian literature, is free and friendly L
freedom. And now that the eye of the mas
ter is opened, and his sensibility quickeneC
by public discussion Of the system of Ameri
can Slavery, he cannot study a work of mind
he cannot read a volume Of Poetry, canno
run over a romance or a novel of the day
without meeting a contradiction of his phi
losophy of life, or encountering a rebuke TO
his lnhumanity to man. He cannot admir-,
the pictures of our common nature in Shak
speare; he cannot be elevated by the gran
deur of our destiny and the wonders OF GU
redemption, in Milton; he cannot inhale tn
sweet breath of love from Cowper, wilhou
being impressed with respect for human ma
ture in its lowest estate, and detestation 0
human slavery in its miIdost form.
Were there no book but the Bible, it wer
itself enough to stife the institution of slave
ry. ! do not care, if Abraham had servant