Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-08-27
Tie Annual Meeting.

1t has never before been our lot to p%artici-
pate in any meeting which would compare in
size with the meeting at New Lyme. For
one and two days previous to the appointed
time, a continuous stream Of travellers were
pressing towards " the big tent" whose i'm
mense surface Of white canvass rejecting the
sunlight that fell upon it, made it a promi-
nent object amid the surrounding scenery.-
The gathering was immense, and doubtless
reminded some of our friends who have now
cast off the political harness, of the palmy
days Of Whigism when the rallying cry of
"Tippecanoe and Tyler too brought multi
tudes together. Were we political editors
estimating a political gathering, We should
perhaps say there were from ten to fifteen
thousand assembled on that occasion. This,
however, would be greatly over-estimating
the number, but we think we speak within
bounds when we put it down at from four 10
five thousand. Although the big tent ac-
commodities a large number, it was not sufi-
GENTLY capacious TO contain all who were in
uAA' hdaNN JUN ~ iAAh VI oNluilbtlo I've"
Lyme never before witnessed and it was a
serious question with many of them, whether
sufficient provision could be made 10 shelter
and feed the multitude. This was ~satisfac-
torily replied to, by the alacrity with which
the people there extended their hospitality to
the strangers in their midst. 1t is true, their
houses were densely crowded, and SOM we
understand, experienced difficulty in finding
lodgings of any kind; but it would have been
no cause for establishment if hundreds had
been without a shelter, and the wonder is,
that our New Lyme friends did so much
Only think of it! An army of four or five
thousand strong, making a descent upon a lit
tie country town, and quartering themselves
on its inhabitants, not for one night only, but
for three days and nights. The presence of
such a number must have been a source of
great labor and expense to those who enter
tanned them, but we trust they will feel am
ply repaid in the wholesome influence the
meeting will exert upon the cause which is
so near their hearts.
The meeting, large as it was, was perfect
ly orderly, and in its discussions embraced
the usual variety of topics. Less time was,
however, given 10 the investigation of the
church question than its importance demand
ed; for so long as the religious sentiment of
this nation sanctions and sanctifes man-steal-
ing, exercises its controlling power not only
by and through church organizations, but in
State institutions, and in social and CONNER
cIal relations, its corruption must be exposed,
and its hypocrisy held up 10 public scorn.-
1t however, the church, owing to unavoida-
BILE circumstances received less than its share,
tine Constitution was pretty thoroughly dis
cussed. During a debate on a resolution in
relation 10 this instrument, Joshua r. Gid
dings came forward to defend The position he
occupies, and although he admitted enough
Of its pro-slavery character to condemn him
for swearing allegiance to it, he attempted to
show it was right for him to do all that he
could against slavery, which he assumed
would not be possible were he to become a
Disunionist. We were not present during
much of this discussion, but have heard ma
ny express regret that he did not fairly meet
the issues made by those who promise no
leaIty 10 a pro'sIavery government, but that
he chose rather TO exercise his ingenuity in
evadlng the points under discussion, than
candidly examining them. Without doubt
the discussion did good, for the more this
question is examined, the more clearly will
1t appear that the Disunionists occupy a true
position. We are very glad that Joshua r.
Giddlngs was present at the meeting, and
manifested to that large audience his respect
for VIM. Lloyd Garrison, the anli-slavery pi-
oneer, and Frederick Douglass, the former
slave, showing that much as he might differ
from them and their coadjutors in his views,
he regarded them as conscientious and faith
full laborers in the anli-slavery field, and wor-
thy the respect of all true lovers of liberty.
We were exceedingly gratifed by The re-
suits produced by the presence and labors of
our friends Garrison and Douglass on the as
sembled thousands. The latter gave to all
an undoubted assurance Of his manhood and
when he stood up in the presence of the de-
spisers of the Negro, and poured forth his
eloquent denunciations Of the system that