Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-08-27
THE PITTSBURGH MYSTERY,

THE PITTSBURGH MYSTERY,
The only paper in Pennsylvania which is
published and edited by colored men, thus
comments upon the remarks of the Gazette in
relation to the visit Of our Eastern friends to
that place:
The Gazette is p~alpably wrong-Messrs.
Garrison nor Douglass neither have ever ut
tered a word against the Christian Church.
nor a free Government, neither are they op-
posed 10 political action as such, because it is
political, but to the contrary, are opposed 10
the exercise of political power, when provi-
ded for by a miserable pro-slavery instru.
ment, as the Constitution Of the United States
most assuredly is.
In regard 10 the pro-slavery provisions of
the Constitution, but a word is necessary to
satisfy every liberal mind. We are told by
the standard code Of moral Jurisprudence,
that there is no crime in an act, when there
Is no criminal intention, but all acts are Grim
lnaI, though their effects may be harmless,
when there is a criminal intention.
Now how does the Constitution of the U,
States stand. when tried by this scrutinizinr
law of common ense! Why, a convicted
criminal.
1t is true, there is nothing expressed in the
Objectionable provisions of the Constitution.
that might not have been inserted under the
most foreign idea Of the existence of Slave
ry, yet under the circumstances, all and ev-
cry necessary provision could have been
made and expressed in another manner and
by different language.
but those provisions were originally in
tended 10 regulate Slavery, and however in
genuousIy constructed, though not EXPRESS
ed, Slavery is imphed-it is so implied, be-
cause, by the Convention which formed the
National Compact, it was so understood.-
Why then should we idly arrue apainst a
common sense fact, that the Constitution is
a Pro-Sldrery instrument what is the differ
ence II 1t is not expressed, when we bnou il
to be implied. Common sense will decide.
and forever put TO rest a decision 10 the con-
trary, that among people of sense, an impli-
cation Is equal in its intentions TO an eypres-
slon-and here, in this, all speculations are
put to rest in regard TO the intention of the
PROVISIONS because we knOtc, (Which is not
disputed by the most sanguine opposer of our
doctrine) it to be Implied.
Then, according to this REASONING. which
Is simple and fair, the Constitution of the IT,
ni'ed States is a pro-slavery instrument, and
no consistent anti-sIavery person should eli.
Their vote or hold Office under ii.
In regard to the church and relirion. Mr..
Garrison's arguments were, that he was a
Christian, and in favor of all true followers
OF Christ as such, he was assured would
never violate His righteous laws and inst
precepts-but all churches that apolopized
for CT tolerated Slavery, are in direct opposi.
lion to the examples of Christ and his pre-
cetpts' and ought TO be either reformed or
abolished.
In reference to the Constitution and The
Union, the arguments of Mr.. Douglass can
be expressed in a few words, thew were these;
he Said that he "welcomed the bolt, whether
from heaven or from hell, that severed the
Union, rather than it should rest on the lib
critics OF Tires millions of his fellow creatures
Of whatever origin"