Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-12-17


in your behalf and mine to disavow, in the
most positive manner, any desire, on our
part, to acquire any foreign territory whatev-
er, for the purpose of Introducing slavery in
to it. ! do not know that any citizen pf the
United States entertains such Il wish. But
such a motive has often been imputed to the
slave States, and | therefore think it neces-
sary to notice it on this occasion. My opin-
ions on the subject of slavery are well known.
They have the merit, fit be one, of consist
ency, uniformity, and long duration. | have
ever regarded slavery as a great evil, a
wrong, for tho present, | fear, an irremedia-
BILE wrong to its unfortunate victims. |
should rejoice if not a single slave breathed
the air or W is within the limits Of our coun-
try. But here they are, to be dealt with as
we can, with a due consideration Of all cir
cumstdHces eiiecting the security, safety and
happiness Of both races. Every State has the
SUI rene uncontrolled and exclusive power
to decide for itself whether slavery shall
cease or continue within its limits, without
any exterior intervention from any quarter.
In States where the slaves outnumber the
whites, as is the case with several. the
blacks could not be cmlncIpalcd and invest
ed with all the rights of frccmen, without
becoming the governing race in those States.
Collisions and conflicts between the two "a
ces, would be inevitable, and after shocking
scenes Of rapiGc and carnage, the extinction
or rcpulsion of the blacks would certainly
lake place. In the State Of Kentucky, near
fifty years ago, | thought the proportion of
slaves in comparison with the whites was so
inconsiderabte that we might safely adopt
system of gradual emancipation, that would
eventually eradicate this evil inpur State
That system was totally different from the
immediate abolition of slavery for which the
party Of the AbotitlonisIs Of the present day
contend. Whether they have Intended it or
not it is my calm and deliberate belief, that
they have done incalculable mischief even to
the very cause which they have espousCd
to say nothing of the diScOrd Which has been
produced between different parts Of the I'M
ion. According 10 the system, WI attempt
ed, near the close of the last century, all
slaves in being were 10 remain such, but all
who might be born subsequent to a specified
day, were 10 become free at the age Of tvcn-
iy-eight, and during their service were to be
taught 10 read, write and cypher. Thus, in
stead Of being thrown upon the community,
Ignorant and unprepared, as would be the
case by immediate emancipation, they would
have entered upon the possession of their
llNNhtllls tilaDlts III SUM- utHltt VI tll'1-
ing it.. After a hard struggle, the system
was defeated, and | regret it extremely, as,
if it had been then adopted, our State would
now be nearly rid OF that reproach.
Since that epoch, a scheme of unmiXed be-
neyolence has sprung up, which, if it had
existed at that time, would have obviated
one Of the greatest objections which was
made to gradual emancipation, which was
the continuance Of the emancipated slaves
TO abide among us. That scheme is the A.
merican Colonization Society. About twen-
ty-eight years ago, a few individuals, myself
among them, met together in the city 81
Washington, and laid the foundation Of lhat
Society. 1t has gone ON, amidst eXtraordin-
AIRY difficulties and trials, sustaining itself al
most entirely by spontaneous and voluntary
contributions, from Individual benevolence,
without scarcely any aid from government.
The Colonies, planted under its auspices, are
now well established communities, with
churches, schools, and other institutions APP
pertaining 10 the civilized state. They have
made successful war in repelling attacks and
lnVasiOnS by their barbarous and savage
neighbors. They have made treaties, annex
ed territories to their dominion, and are bless
ed with a free representative Government
| recently read a message from one of their
Governors to their Legislature, which, in
point Of composition, and in careful attention
to the affairs Of lheir republic, would compare
ad vantageously with the messages Of the Co.
vernon Of our States. | am not very super
s]liIious, but ! do solemnly believe that these
Colonies are blessed with The smiles of Pro-
violence; and, if we may dare attempt pene-
trating the veil by which He c]onceals his all
wise dlspensatlons from mortal eyes, that he
designs that Africa shall be the refuge and
The home Of the descendants Of its sons and
daughters, torn and dragged from their ma
tive land by lawless violence.
1t is a Philanthropic and consoling relec-
ton that the moral and physical condition of
the African race in the United States, even
in a state Of slavery, is far better than it
would have been if their ancestors had never
been brought from their native land. And if
it should be the decree of the Great Ruler Of
the Universe that their descendants shall be
made instruments in his hands in the estab-
lishment Of Civilization and the Christian
Religion throughout Africa, our regrets, on
account Of the original wrong, will be great
ly mitigated.
1t may be argued that, in admitting the in
Justice OF slavery /; | admit the necessity Of
an instantaneons reparatiou Of that injustice.
Unfortunately, however, it is not always
safe, practicable or possible, in the great
movement Of States and public affairs Of ma
lions, to remedy or repair the infection OF
previous injustice. In the inception OF it,
we may oppose and denounce it, by most
strenuous eXertions, but after It's consumma-
ton, there is no other alternative left us but
to deplore its Preparation. and to acquiesce
as the only alternative, in its existence, as a
less evil than the frightful consequences
which might ensue from the vain endeavor TO
repair il. Slavery is one of those unfortunate
instances. The evil was inflicted upon us
by the parent country of Great Britain, against
all the entreaties and remonstrances OF the
colonies. And here it is amongst and amids!
us, and VIC must dispose of it as best we can
under all the circumstance which surround
US. 1t continued by the importation Of slaves