Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-12-01
The Black Laws.
BY BETsEY NJ. cowLEs.

BY BETsEY NJ. cowLEs.
The spirit Of slavery sways the govern
ment Of Ohio. The curse of oppression is
upon it. We may close our eyes, but still
it is here, stealthily defaming whatever is
fair and unless speedily arrested in its pro-
gress, all that is bright will be effaced by the
foul blot. The spirit of oppression is not
satisfied with subjecting a few or a class; if
tolerated, it will rest not until the mass are
brought under Its iron sway. Slavery is
the dread incubus which rests upon our ma
ton, and which loudly threatens its utter de-
struciion. True, a number Of the States
with them is Ohio-call themselves free -
but they are part and parcel of the great
whole Of the nation upon which the mildew
blight of slavery rests with whitening infu-
ence. Oppression's wing sweeps with ga
thering blackness over the whole; but more
especially over those States which guard the
portals Of the dark citadels. AS such a
guard, Ohio stands bIackened with the foul
spirit; and as if TO exhibit herself fully, she
has hung up her broad mirror, so that the
whole world may gaze upon her shame
There is, it rejecting the ugly, dark, demon
like form, $50 .rightful in mien, that to be
hated, needs but 10 be SEEM"
The statutes Of a people who make their
own laws, reflect the image of that people.2--
The BLACK Laws" Of our own State en-
hibit the people. Humiliating as is the
thought, the truth we must admit. They
were placed upon the statute books by the
people, and they will remain there until the
people erase them. This they will never do,
until they become imbued with the spirit Of
freedom. That they are destitute Of this
spirit, is evident from the fact that they make
their State a great bowling m%astiff, 10 bark
on the track Of the fugitive from bondage
The people make the State as is their spir.
it, so is the spirit Of the State, as manifested
!, in its laws. The laws of Ohio evince tina,
the spirit of prejudice is most carefully nur-
7 tured, and facts show this in church as well
state. To ferret out this dark spirit should
: be the object Of the patriot, the philanthro-
: pist, and The Christian and no enclosure, nc
{ sanctcm is too sacred to be touched, which is
not too sacred to afford i, shelter g. protection
The shame of our wicked injustice is blazon
ed to the East, The West, the North ant
& even the slaveholding South tauntingly cries
-Ye hypocrites! talk not to us. Will
) shame and sorrow we see Ohio-the nom,
that we love and would honor if we could
not only united by the common bond o
union which attaches all of the free States Il
u the desolaiing car of slavery, but we see he
most obsequiously Frustrating herself befor
Is it, and casting her helpless victims by hun
20 dIeds beneath its crushing wheels. This
le not because a despot wills it-not because
Is few designing politicians will it--but bt
't cause a people calling themselves free an
sc Christian, will it. There is something fc
IL every man and woman to do; hence we al
e. peal TO all citizens of a free Staie-as Chris
d tians, for such the majority Of the people
NJ, ! nhtn aan thapnea1uaa al $50 Il -
them toTepent of their injustice-!o chang
ell their wills-to make unto themselves ne
NJ hearts-be willing 10 hear and see the trut
Sn not as forgetful hearers-neither as OF
I'd seeing his natural face in the glass; take Il
OF foot of oppression from the neck of the dow
iio trodden-'' cease to do evil; learn TO {
as WELL" We are not unaware of the fac
ne that we shall here be met with the ~stereoty
nd ed queries Of " When will women cease
rSt dabble in politics" "Why not leave la,
nd making to wise heads. and repeating
'as wrongs 10 politicians ?" In reply to Il
is first, we say, when the laws Of our land a
ION just and equitable; when they secure to a
OF TO every citizen, the rights given them
gu their Maker, and guaranteed by every Q
III, vernment, which even winks at right; VIII
cry this is done, there will be no class for viii
'ch to plead that justice may be awarded-hen
oy- no special need Of dabbling. Until then
gro cannot promise 10 remain quiet. In reply
the latter, we know that each individual
oil society exerts an influence in creating a
ate sustaining public sentiment; and when II
ure is correct, there will be no oppressive la
OF TO repeal, no wrongs 10 redress. A corru
? Is public sentiment in Ohio has created uniu
ger lmpolitlc, unconstitutiona and wicked law
and EoI until that sentiment is changed
re- its moral character, can it lie hoped or
mes pected that they will he erasedl II is S;
ire that politicians make the public sentimer
nn- therefore in them the change must be eft
ST. ed, and all will be right. Perhaps they