Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-09-17
Social Influence.

eItP.
The public speaker has his sphere and
work, and the writer has his. The magni-
tude of these we admit, and would withdraw
none OF the supports which give vigor 10
these modes Of operation, nor lessen them in
the esteem of the people. They are necessa-
ry, and fill a space which nothing else will
occupy but neither these nor any other APP
pliance can be substituted for the social pow
er which is perhaps the most effective en-
CINE which can be directed against wrong.
We fear this field Of effort is too much neg-
Iccied by abolltionists. Faithfully worked,
II would bring forth d most abundant harvest
of good fruits.
There are thousands Of minds which can
be reached through no other channels. They
read no anti-sldyery journals or books; they
listen to no speeches, and attend no NEE
tlngs. They get all the information they
have on the question Of slavery through false
or perverted mediums, and are consequently
full OF prejudice and blinded by misstate-
ments. A selfish and time serving press has
scattered its falsehoods and evil rumors
GmcnG them Il cowardly and hollow heart
ed priesthood have performed their solemn
sorcerles over them to s~anctify, in their eyes,
the denominations Of the land, and it is no
marvel that they are blind and mislcd. But
they are neighbors, friends, acquaintances,
brothers and sisters, and through these rela-
lions ,hey can be reached. They will not
meet you in the anti-slavery convention, but
they do meet you around the social hoard, in
the family group and The friendly circle and
visit, or in The travel and business of life
Garry the anti-slavery convention there
Let the fire it has kindled in your heart warm
those who have not felt its genial glow
Remember there the bondman TO whom the
Joys OF the family and social delights are so
few and fleeting. You are there, his coun-
sci to plead against ignorance and selfish
ness a commissioned advocate for Liberty.
Prove not, for tho love you bear to man and
Truth, and your lodgings for a world of har-
mony, prove not uniaithful TO the holy trust
reposed in your hands. Speak for the slave.
Identify yourself with him. Make your per-
sonal influence, all the love you have gained
and the esteem and admiration which have
been given you, with what of knowledge and
fact, argument and tender appeal, pleasantly
and winning address, or needful rebuke, you
can COMMUNICATIVE them all allies TO the
weak and delence!eSs slave. Personal afIec-
ZION or the intimate persuasion and appeal Of
friendship will often open avenues to the
heart which eloquencc and logic can not en-
ter. y on can come nearer 10 your neighbours
soul-can enter into his feelings and meet
his difficulties as no public speaker can, and
as no book will do.
1t you can soften some old prejudice, or
awaken a sleeping conscience, plant some
new truth-gern, dispel misapprehensions or
ignorance, enkindle a warmer sympathy, or
even rouse attention to the subject, in but
one mind, and that the mind Of a child, you
In w unpp n rnOI XvnrG-a ,1orl ,rlo., go,
suits you cannot compute. You may have
opened a fountain which shall be f the bles-
sing of the world. We would not have abo-
l~ltloniSts discard society or act the recluse,
even partially, unless they feel that as a tenn
porary discipline it is needful for themselves,
but we would have them 90 among their fell
lows, as abolillonists, burning and shining
lights, to disSipate the darkness in which the
people are stumbling. They should rather
seek than avoid companlonship with men,
that they may enlighten, and humanize. and
b%eautify society. This they can do with no
compromise Of principle and with good to
themselves. They will need seasons Of SOL
ltude and self-communion; the holy stiffness
OF the night, the deep forest or the mountain,
or the quiet Of the solitary chamber; to re-
new their exhausted liie-stream and refresh
their wearied spirits but as it was with Je.
sus, should it be with us this retirement
should be a preparative to the coming labor
and duty abroad.
For this service every abolitionist should
be thoroughly furnished with all the infor-
nation relating to the subject which is with
in his reach. We should not feel that time
and money spent in thus supplying needful
knowledge are wasted, or that because we
are already convinced we need to read and
hear no more on the question. With all your
conviction and %fervor, by increasing your
knowledge. you increase your power and use
tulnesS. Every friend of the slave must re-
member that he is an agent of the cause in
his own sphere, and that his efficiency de-
ponds much upon his ability TO impart knowl-
edge TO others. Timely facts are often the
best arguments, and there is no danger that
we shall be too well furnished with them.-
The people need the facts of the character of
slavery, its past history and present workings,
on slave and master, and the nation and
church, OF their own respt nsibililies and du-
ties toward it, the results of emancipation,
the progress and influence of the present an
ll-Slavery movement, and many kindred top
les. Are YOU, brothers and sisters, doing
what you can at all times and seasons 10 give
this information and enforce its testimonies
ny proper eAaihPIes ana appeals ! 30 init
mately is this question associated with al
most every important subject, political, COM
mercial or religious which commands popu-
lar attention, that we have no need TO force it
upon the attention Of others. 1t forces itself
before us and it is only needful now that we
should accept each opening as it offers TO
speak. So many and constant are the ways
IN which 1t eXcites attention and discussion
that 1t rather needs watchfulness 10 avoid the
subject than to meet it. 1t only needs cour-
age and vigilance, and fidelity on our part to
make every new incident and fact which
transpires, in the conflict between slavery
and freedom, tell on the side of freedom, and
hasten the downfall of slavery.-PG. Free
man.
THE WILMOT PROVISO.
"Providcd, That there shall be neither