Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-04-14
PETITION.

GENTLEMEN,-In petitioning you for the
Immediate and complete abolition of slavery
in the French colonies, we feel assured that
our demand is responded to by the voice of
yonr consciences and the desire of four hearts.
1--WE shall, therefore, conhne ourselves TO sum-
| ming up, in a few words, the grounds on
which we rest our claim.
sSxperienee Inns shown, that every hope OF
mitigating or ameliorating the system of sla-
very is ~il!usory. That which is bad in it.
self cannot be ameliorated /; crime cannot be
organized. Order cannot arise from disor-
der; for, in attempting to regulate it by law,
we only make its true character the more
manifest.
For a long series of years, France, moved
with compassion for the hard fate of the
slaves, has enacted laws, overloaded its budg-
ct, ard employed all possible means for i'm
proving them. And what has been the re-
suit! Some slight amendment only in their
outward condition; and we are not the only
persons who say this all acknowledge it 10
be a lact-the friends of the planters as we'll
as those Of the slaves.
No elementary instruction is given 10 the
slaves in our colonies. Millions have been
absolutely thrown away, and will be thrown
away as long as slavery exists, because an
educated slave is an anomoly. 1t is not rea-
sonable to expect, nor, perhaps, rightto wish,
that the planters should, by their own act,
reduce the value and the warranty of their
property. We must either ask for more, or
allow the evil 10 remain such as it is.
In the proper sense of the word, there is
no religious and moral instruction given 10
the slaves in the colonies. The religion OF
the enslaved negro is only a barren practice
Of certain forms, whose meaning is hidden
from him.
There is no justice in the relation Of the
master TO the slave. 1t is both impossible
and contradictory 10 expect il. The extreme
inequality of their conditions Is not forgot.
ten even at the door of the tribunal. II OK
lists in the very presence Of the magistrate,
and necessarily produces a corresponding in
equality in the nature Of the punishment in
hIcted.
Consequently, there is no serious prepara
ton Cor liberty in the colonies, since instruc
ton, religion, morality, and the feeling AM
practice of justice are unknown to the stat
Of slavery.
The future holds out no greater expecta
ton than the past. In continuing to pursu
our present path we shall only prolong III
sufferings Of the victims, and, perhaps, ais
: the misforiunes of the masters.
We will not speak Of the right of selfr'
demption. 1t is too evident that this riel
: will only profta very small number of slave!
who are placed in the most favorable circun
stances. Partial self-purchase, will nevt
; effect total emancipation.
2 We will not speak Of the organization
free labor before emancipation. Free lab'
> can never be organized at least on an extent
, ed scale, by the side Of slave labor for or
J Of these terms excludes the other.
. The money question, then, only emalr
= in favor OF the maintenance of slavery. b
! with a nation which bears the name Of Chrl
tian, and which aspires to be honored IN Il
0 world, money ought never to prevail over Il
: great and sacred obligations OF religion, lu
:, tice, and humanity.
4 Besides, we believe, and the eXperieuc
= Of the English colonies begins to show
that the question Of interest harmonises wi
that of duty. The sacrifices Of to-day W
q be amply recompensed by the prosperity
I, tomorrow.
IS We approach, then, to beg you. gentleme
= 10 decide, with the least possible delay
II the emancipation Of the slaves in the sren.
?, colonies. Christianity requires 1t; Publ