Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-09-01

graduallsm were denounced as unjust, cruel,
and d%elusive.
Now we are unable TO find in the Free Soil
resolutions any thing like a declaration Of the
sinfulness of slaveholding the limited oppo-
silion of that party TO slavery, appears rather
to have originated in a desire to maintain the
rights and interests of The North, and of free
laborers generally, than to have sprung from
sympathy with those who wear the fetters.-
And although in adopting the platform it did,
that party afirms the duty Of the General
government TO abolish slavery where 1t has
the power-repudiating, by the way, the
Spooner doctrine so recently held but now so
universally abandoned by Liberty party mem
by declaring it had no authority TO touch it
in the Staies-yet the duty Of Immediately
abolishing il is not once limited at, and on the
principle of gradualism, the time Of its over
throw may be half way between now and
never. Now we do not wish to he misun-
derstood we are not finding fault with the
Free Soil convention, we are but stating
facts. The positions it assumed were all
sufficient for the end it had in view; for
while the sinfulness of slaveholding, and the
duty of Immediately ceasing from it are the
foundation principles of all genuine anti.
slavery such doctrines were en-
tirely unnecessary in the formation Of a nom
extension of slavery political party. And
while we do not wish ourselves TO be misun-
derstood, neither do we wish the Free Soil
movement to he misunderstood, and we APP
prehend there is great danger Of the latter
Some connected with it have already come
forward-as will be seen by an article on our
first page-to officially deny that it is con-
nected with aboiitionism; and we presume
they speak the sentiments of very many in
the party. If those of its enthusiastic friends
who are so blinded by excitement as to mis-
take fancy for reality, persist in misrepresen-
ting it as an anti-slavery movement-using
that phrase in its full meaning-by so doing
they may defeat the object the movement
is primarily designed to promote.
Some may perchance think it strange that
Disunionists regard this movement with any
interest, inasmuch as it is one that is TO be
carried on under the Constitution, and in ac-
cordance with its provisions and compromi-
ses. The chrysalis must undergoa %transfor-
nation before the embryo butterfly it contains
can spread its wings to the sun. The mass
of men must pass through a transition state
before they can be prepared to receive the
highest truths of anti-slavery; and Disun-
ionists see in the spirit of those who have in
scribed Free Soil upon their banner, an evil
dence of preparation, that will lead them, if
they faithfully follow their convictions of
right, TO burst the letters which now bind
them to the American Union. We are OPP
posed to fighting, but if men wiU fight, he
seems nearer right who fights for freedom
than he who fights for slavery. We are OPP
posed to voting under the present %constitu-
ton, but if men wiA vote; he who in any
way opposes slavery by his vote, seems near
er right than he who designedly casts a bal
lot in its favor.
But true christians will not fight, and con-
SlohcHt duOliiiOlloto VII hui NOl6 uHueI III
f pledges which the act at present involves ;
therefore will we strive 10 bring men up to
/, the high standard of right. And it is we'll
for US, and for all abolitionists frequently to
recur to the first principles of anti-slavery-
the sinfulness of slaveholding, and the duty
Of immediate emancipation. These were
y mighty weapons of war in days gone by, and
if we neglect to use them now, and TO test
all movements by them now as we did then,
y we shall find the life and vigor of the anti
q slavery cause will suffer in our hands ; and
q as the inherent sinfulness OF chattlelism, and
the duty of Immediately letting the onpres.
sed 90 free, become to the people half.forget
), ten distractions, so shall we find the power
of the oppressor increase, and shall see tn,
slaves star Of hope again overshadowed.
n THE Free Soil COMMITTEE AT URBANA
We have published the disclaimer OF thi
lie Committee on our first page, though we thinl
H. such a document would never have appeare,
? had the editor of the " Citizen and Gazette
n been content to speak only of those matter
with which he was acquainted. If he choose
as to retail second-handed insinuations in ord,
he to bolster up the declining fortunes of hi
o. party, and to speak authoritatively Of our pc
IS sition without knowing any thing about i
us he must do so, but at the sacrifice of hone,
lat ty. AS to the sentiments quoted in the az
ss- dress of the committee, we re-afirm then
no and challenge the committee or the editor
an show wherein they are unsound. We how
n, ever disclaim the inference the editor choos,
- TO draw, for we have never advocated a reso