Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-03-24
RenibutiOnS of Providence.

Extract from an earnest and eloquent dis.
course. by Charles G.. Shackford, Pastor Of
the Unitarian Church in Lynn, entitled "A
Citizens Appeal in regard to the WA with
MeXico":-
s'All history opens to us the rettlbutive JUS
tice of an overriding Providence. 1t is in
vain, when entered upon the career OF evil,
TO say, Thus far 'Sin must pluck on SIM
unless there be a true repentance. lie who
would keep the rewards of sin, must sin yet
farther; and the fatal, fitting light Of corrup-
ton leads him onward to peTditlon. Mr.. Cal
houn, The maSter-spirit Of annexation, thinks
he could have avoided the war, satisfied with
the spoils already earned for his favorite sys-
TEN. He thinks that j the army had remain
ed at Corpus Christi there would have been
10 conflict
BIT Providence knows no IFS. Onward
must the mighty stream advance, and no cum
ninr hand can stay its progress. With the
cancer of slavery feeding upon our system,
this war was inevitable. 1t mustfush on un-
Ill the awful voice OF Jehovah thunders, Thus
far-here shall thy proud waves be stayed
The North, with a fatal spirit Of acquiescence,
has submitted 10 one encroachment after an
other upon the spirit Of freedom; and now,
lloated upon the surface, it is borne along to
share the retribution. There remains but one
way of escape. Slavery, that hydra, which
but gains in strength from every act OF feeble
opposition and tame submission, must be
slain. 1t is smiiten of God with madness.
1t rushes on with fatal blindness and incleas-
ing folly. And yet we are all ioolisllly slum-
bering. At every new victory Of the accur-
sed system, some feeble cry is raised, THAI
this encroachIng evil must be opposed hence
FORTH and then all is still. The Represen-
,atives from the North, to save some little
remnant of self-respect, at the last moment,
when resistance is Of no avail, utter a feeble
DON'T we warn you;' then, when all Is
over, and the evil Consummated, join IL the
exulting shout, and toast 'our country, how
soever bounded y war in its defence, how
ever iniquitous, a measure however wrong,
has but 10 be entered npon, and then they pro-
nounce il right TO aid in its completion. The
assembled wisdom Of the nation, for a party
purpose, vote what they know TO be a solemn
lie. Governors, falling into the current, ex-
hort the peaceful citizens 10 20 forth and fight
this battle of slavery, appeal to their patriot
ism, and lend their official influence to sane.
ton the deeds of blood. The ghosts Of mer
who were killed politically, because they dar
ed TO contend for what they considered right
haunt the miserable sleep Of our modern states
men; and so they dare not move, or cry, Of
let their voice be heard in street or council
And thus STOPPING to a false and corruptins
3 popular standard, crouching with fear, they
: huzza for the glories of our country; lend theiI
| aid to furnish supplies Of men and money
5 give their children 10 pass through the fire o
The false God Of War; join in the e~Xulling
} shout of victory; praise the success OF GU
, glorious armies, and lament that they are too
! old 10 Join in the noble work Of Staying Mex
T leans.
r There is nothing more sorrowful, revealed
: by this present war, than the corrupt state O
$ public opinion in regard 10 right. Every
: where is exhibited the lowest standard of mo
3 raj sentiment. Mere party eXpediency is nm
,; blushingly defended as the highest rule o
!, action. Every party is seeking 10 make til,
e most for party, out of the sulferings Of MeXi
co, and the disgraces Of our country. Advo
Gates of a Tariff make no opposition TO tn
l. war, because by a public debt, the Tariff i
h secured. Parties strive TO avail themselve
5 of the false renown Of some military leader
IS In catering to a false opinion, men whose age
n experience, and exalted station should rails
g them above the sentiment, speak of 'tle glor
" which heroic deeds and unsurpassed valo
can acquire II. G. Winthrop says, sou
l. arms have gone on gloriously.' M. Cha
Il speaks Of the long series of glorious tr
o umphs.' Wing mass meetings resolve, 'tha
as Wings and American citizens, we rejoic
I, in the signal triumph Of our arms in Mexico
And even the venerable Mr.. Gallatin speak
,r Of splendid successes, and the glory Of lhes
ct military DEEDS With a strange want {
ID moral discrimination, or a subtle pliancy to
st low state Of moral feeling, which cannot b
ct right, he says that mo men are more worth
j. of admiration, better entitled to the thanks {
" their county, than those who after war Ina
&c once taken place, brave death aud stake the.
20 own lives in the conflict against the actui
s. enemy
re These are the admissions, and these III
a. approvals which cause a false halo TO renal
about war and warriors. To admit that gior
can belong to men who volunteered in sue
m a cause us this! Who that rightly views i
can for one moment thus admit! What
af this war, even taking as zeal and indisputab.
the causes which are alleged in the atleml
ID to Justify il!
4. 1t is a wal waeed by a strong and vigoIor
y. nation, with all the choicest means of desiru,
of ton that money, science and intellect ca
10 command, against d feeble and distracted PEI
Al pie, torn by internal conflict; a helpless 81
~ ter Republic, with no friend or ally; a mike
IN and half baibarous people, without none,
credit, or moral strength.
~ 1t is a war Of The strong against the weaI
ID 1t is a wal waged fer money, revenge, ar
81 saiiJactiOn.
v, In the enjoyment Of a boundless prosperit