Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-09-24
Action.


Action.
As our labor is vast and our field broad,
our inStrumentalities must be maryland
there is need that all of them be in constant
employment. There is room for allowing
each the fullest scope for action, and il be-
comes the laborers to see to il that none of
our means are idle. Abolitionists have a
work TO do. 1t is not enough that they feel
a hatred of slavery and a sympathy for the
slave or that they are convinced that slave
ry is wrong-a sin and a curse. This senti-
ment and feeling must take form in acfiOn.-
This is the true measure of feeling and opin-
ion. Toward this all genuine emotion and
conviction as naturally tend, as the germ
presses up toward the light and air, or mat
ter gravitates to a common centre and well
may we doubt their healthfulness and
strength, if such be not their impulse.
Yet while action is the true expression of
the hidden thought, the quantity and quality
Of that action depend much upon the intelli-
gence with which it is put forth. Ignorance
of the time and the way to work, often keeps
the hand idle and the voice silent, though the
heart prompts TO action, and emotion demands
utterance.
An immense amount of anti-slavery feel
ing, has been generated in the process of our
cause, which has never been concentrated
and directed into a practical manifestation,
and which now waits for such direction. If
it were the strong sympathy of stout hearts
it would find expression. Like the impeded
mountain torrent, by an ever increasing pres
sure it would break its way though rocks of
granite bind it back, and through the rugged
path rush on its course fulfilling its proper
work. But there are hearts which feel and
sympathize, and yet are not daring enough
to seek a path of action for themselves, or
strong enough to rend through difficulties
Feeling is thus left to stagnate for want of
that action which it requires, as water needs
motion to keep it healthful and pure. This
causes a double evil-a loss TO the cause
which needs the aid of all, the feeblest as
well as the strongest, and a loss to the indi-
vidual who needs the exercise Of benevolence
and justice, to increase their strength and
growth in his own heart.
Never did well-meaning men make a sad
der mistake, than when they persuade them
selves that it is enough for them to pity the
suffering slave or victim of wrong, and feel
convinced that slavery or other sin is wrong.
The labor which their weaker neighbor needs
from them, they need to give. The talent
hidden in the earth rusts, and turns to worth
less dust. The man, too sluggish TO employ
his faculties, finds them whitening and vast
ing, and a sure retribution curses his mac
ton with powerlessness. Work, is the most
rugged, laborious and trying field of reform,
is Just what we need, good friends, and it is
what, however irksome at first, we shall
learn to love as a blessing and a Joy. Cow
ards, as we have been trained TO be, shrink
ing from the face of man, we cannot have a
hattpr diGpinlina tn rail- forth trua m oral cOur.
age.
Fidelity to an unpopular reform, will fre-
quently bring us TO face apparent or real dan
ger and trial, and thus impart a calm, strong
fearlessness in the place of timidity so too
may patience fulfil its perfect work in our
spirits, if watchfully and m~anfully we meet
J the insults and Injuries and petty veyations
which will meet us in this path. 1t is time
we began to walk alone. How few of us
have ever made the attempt. We have for
gotten our own limbs and muscles in leaning
on others. We have braced ourselves with
contrivances Of party and sect and social de-
pendence-the stays and crutches for the
mind,-and thus go h~obbling on through life,
like a troop of equity epiouIes, afraid OF mo
ton as though it were "a curse,
f Blessed is the ministration of that reform,
which teaches men to be self-relying anC
: firm in the right. If rightly we listen to the
teaching of the anti-slavery cause, we shall
= receive this lesson from it.
= To harden the muscles and tougher the
sinews of the man, giving elasticity and free
healthful daring 10 the spirit, is worth the
a price OF labor, all that we have given or cal
give 10 this arduous work. The man VIII
enters it with his whole soul, will find hi
n path ever leads upward from the dusky all
of the earthly to the purer and fresher region
y of the spiritual, and his vision, instead o
being hemmed in by that cloudy wall, to tn,
n selfish, the sensual and the present, will
stretch out over the ever widening champaig
h of truth, and onward into the world of soul
Clearer perceptions of good, a nicer an
= more delicate sense of spiritual beauty an
a. purity, and surer munitions of right, mus
1t come TO him who unselfshly gives himseI
t, TO the heroic enterprise for human redemI
y ton.
IN From such an enterprise may also be gath
m cred a deep philosophy. 1t gives the min
s an array of important facts, and leads it I
ID deductions of wisdom, and an experienc
st which better fits it for the coming duties @
lie life, and holds prominently before the tho't
at a sense of responsibility for the interests
III our fellow men, and duty in their behalf
IS Too liable are we in the maelstrom of selfisl
ness that surges round us to be swept ava
IS on the swift current, and lose ourselves
the ruinous whirl. Thankful should we
as that high above these tossing waves rises Ii
l. firm rock of Right, holding forth its stron
h arm TO save, and to find there firm foothol
d, among the raging elements.
W Not alone for the salvation of the slave h;
Is the anti-slayery cause arisen. 1t comes as