Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1846-05-08
EREE PROnUCE.

GhCE hOlIONh'
As the subject of abstaining from the pro-
ducts of slave labor is engaging the attention
of Abolitionist at the present time, l will
offer a few remarks upon it. / am aware
that it is a subject that is susceptible Of close
reasoning on either side, and upon which
many nice distinctions have been made, and
much sophistry and fallacious reasoning been
expended yet l think that if we were all to
investigate the various ramiications of the
| system Of slavery that exists in the United
States, and the relation that we sustain TO it,
with a desire to discover the "truth, the
whole truth and nothing but the TRUTH" let
it cut where it will, we might arrive at the
same conclusion or nearly so.
take the position that whoever uses the
products of the slaves toll, s~ustains slavery,
and if there is any guilt attached to human
actions, that individual is guilty. What is
slavery! Is it not compelling an individual
to labor for another without compensation
And what is the Shareholders object in COM
polling his fellow man thus to labor : That
he may use tho products of that labor for his
own aggrandizemcnt. But if he could not
dispose Of his products, he could not sustain
the system hence all who purchase or con-
sumo slave labor produce, are unfolding sla-
very.
But says one, Slavery is a tremendous
evil, that has become combined with every
department of society, and a component part
of all our institutions, and consequently will
| require a vast amount of labor for its over
throw. Now if l can get slave labor goods
fifty per cent. cheaper than free goods; if l
can get a yard of muslin for 25 cents, where
as | would have to give SO cents for one of
linen, | can use the other quarter towards de-
stroying slavery {; and thus convert the using
Of slave labor goods into an instrument for
its destruction. Hence | can use the products
OF the slaves toll and be perfectly consist
ent." Now this same individual will tell
you that it is wrong TO remain q member of
the Methodist Episcopal, or any other pro-
slavery church, though you may be convert
ing its members TO abolitionism by scores {:
because you are fellowshipping and uphold
ing a church thai s~ustains slavery, and are
in a pro-slavery position, although you are
doing infinitely more towards destroy ing the
hideous monster than upholding it; yet you
must do no evil" and it is your duty to
come out from it. You must not do evil that
good may come, you must ado justice tho
the heavens fall" Yet you may purchase
of the STAKEHOLDER the fruits of the slave's toll,
which he has wrung from him by means of
the torturing lash, thereby enabling him to
sustain his villainous system; in order that
you may have a little more time and money
to expend in combating it.
What cares the STAKEHOLDER for my opposi-
ton to slavery, while 1 am giving him the
means of sustaining it! What cares the NJ.
E. Church for my opposition to its pro-slave-
ry position, while l am sustaining it in that
position! What cares the band of horse
thieves for my opposition to their stealing,
while | am purchasing their stolen horses 7
No matter if can purchase their horses fifty
per cent. cheaper Than others, and thus shave
moro time and money TO expend" in abolish
ing the evil of horse-stealing, my influence
will be neutralized in the support ! give them;
they will say | am not in earnest. No mat
ter if ! can have a greater influence by being
a member of tho Methodist Episcopal Church
Il ain shielding slavery by my POSITION, and
my influence will lie of but little effect. No
matter if by using the products of the slaves
unreQuited toll, | can shave more time AMI
money 10 expend" in combating the monster,
am giving the STAKEHOLDER the means of
maintaining his system, and he will say my
opposition is not in earnest. Again-I sec a
man deliberately pointing a cannon loaded
with shot at an assembly of people, and is
about to touch it off and destroy a number of
lives. Now by shooting that man with a
pistol can prevent him firing the cannon
and destroying many lives. | do shoot hin,
and thus 50 convert murder into an instrument
Of saving life.2 Would | be Unsuitable in