Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-09-29
Emancipation in Kentucky.

The reports which reach US through news,
papers and private letters, in regard to the
sentiment Of our fellow-citizens upon tho
subject Of emancipation, are Of cheering cha
racter. Every where the minds Of men sre
engaged in thinking more or less earnestly
upon this matter, and allr since me second
decisive vote upon the convention, appear to
rest in the conviction that emancipation u,nss
take place, though Of course there is svery
variety of opinion as to the timo and mode.
Letters from New Castle, Paris, Frankfort,
and other important towns, agree in their rep.
reservations of the public mind.
One thing, then, we may regard as settled,
that, whatever the results Of the discussion
Of the subject Of emancipation may BE-, The
subject is to be discussed. generally, univer-
sally, thoroughly, and within a short period.
To many persons the idea Of such discus
sion brings only anxiety and alarm. They
think it must be attended with bitterness and
alienation, il not with absolute danger 10 tho
peace and safety Of society. There are good
and earnest minds which partake Of these
apprehensions, minds for which we have
great respect. To such we wish to offer a
few thoughts.
And, first, none Of you can doubt that,
whatever immediate difficulties may rise, tho
ultimate results Of the discussion of the ques-
ton of Emancipation, must be good, ines,i-
mably good. That result, of course, will b
freedom, universal freedom the deliverance
of our State from a system, whose influences
every patriot d~eplOres. Our State now is in
bondage. 1t not only has slavery in its
midst, but il is itself enslaved. Slavery all
ways enslaves. Its letters are thrown over
every limb Of society. Not a single social
interest can escape its thraldom. Agrieul-
ture, commerce, manufactures, everything
pertaining to the moral or industrial prosperi-
ty, experiences its p~alsyipg influence. FREQ
dom and life, slavery and death, are forever
and inevitably associated. Now, surely,
every one, who desires the prosperity and
happiness Of his State, must desire that So
cial condition with which prosperity and
happiness are connected, and freedom alone
can produce that condition.
Surprising, then, that trials and inconve-
%niences must be experienced in bringing
about that condition, can any wise man, any
patriot hesitate !? Is it not better, infinitely
better, boldly to meet, and calmly to bear.
/; any present trouble, for the sake of future
, good, than cOwardly TO shrink from duty,
and thereby perpetuate a fearful evil
= Undoubtedly difficulties, great difficulties,
q must he encountered, in solving wisely and
well, the problem of emancipation /; and what
!, good was ever wrought out for society, ex.
cept through labor and trial This is the
condition on which alone enduring benefits
for mankind can be gained but il is the con.
dition which the patriot and philanihropisI
: have always cheerfully accepted.
But, in the second place, though We ad.
e nit that difficulties must be encountered in
effecting the great change from slavery
n 10 freedom, yet W. do not believe that thosi
" difficulties will be as great and appalling as
MANY imagine, Let the ouestion he anpFoachr
ed calmly and without passion T; let il be dis
cussed as a question OF interest, not for class o.
n clique, but for all, Shareholders and non
, Shareholders, rich and poor, white and black
u and the trial will be far less than now sppre
IN hended. Obstacles at presen. deemed ire
movable, will disappear, and ways to success
will open, where now to the most sanguin'
, only nsurmountabie barriers appear. AZ il
20 the story Of romance, so in real life, the wal
is of FIRE is dangerous TO the timid slonei III
faithful and brave pass it unframed.