Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-12-08

on ms new construction, il will possibly an
swer their purpose without alteration. This
might serve a political turn, to cheat our
Constitutional ldOlaiots into Au;-SlavrN
without lntertdpiIng their worship, or distur-
ping their seltcomplacency. But we have
no illth IN such cheating, and no respect for
conversions IN individuals or nations which
do not render their subjects honest enough
TO confess they have been in the wrong.
The people of The United States, In enter
Ing into the Federal Compact, all understood
themselves to covenant, that during the CON
unhance of Slavery in any of the States, the
general government should respect. protect,
and defend that institution within snch
States. fhis has always been the under
standing OF the vast majority of the people.
But latlerly an Anti-Slavery agitation has
risen. 1t became a desideratum with some
to lind how men could be consistent Anti
Slavery politicians. Ingenuity has discov-
cred that the Constitution can be construed
into an ~Antl~SlaYery instrument, agtecably
TO the first principles OF the Common Law,
and without a grammatical violation Of its
language, though in utter disregard OF the
known intentions and covenant understanding
OF It's formers and adopters. Well, if a ma
jorlty Of the people can he converted to Anti
Slavery, what then? Why they are going
TO decree the abolition of slavery throughout
the Republic, and proclaim to the world that
they do so in obedience to the Old Consti-
tuition, which by some hocus-pocus, was
fraudulcntly made to |connive at slavery for
the first seventy or eighty years Of lis exis-
teDce.
When the people become sufficiently An
ti-Slavery TO construe the Constitution in
this way, we imagine they will be sufficient
~ so to take a new one, the first article OF
which should contain a manful acknowledge
ment Of the national sin in this matter.
Is there any doubt in our friend Bradburn's
mind, that all covenants and pronisory obli-
cations should be taken 10 mean what the
prOmisers understood them TO mean at the
time they were madel Or is il right 10 take
a bond, years after date, and play the law
er upon it by giving it an ingenious construc'
ton, contrary to the well known understan-
ding of the parties at the time it was entered
into ! Is it on this point that friend George
and ourself must differ He alludes TO the
New Testament. Let him convince us i
was the intention Of Jesus Christ 10 teacl
that Slavery was right, and we would no
give a straw for all the constructions and eN
| plantations of Scripture language which shout
i9ake it appear that he taught Anti-SlaveTy
Suppose a party should rise up in a Calvin
istic Church, and denying the doctrine {
endless punishment, should undertake t
make it appear that the old creed was 10 a
intenis and purposes Universalist. And SUI
pose they should be ingenious enough to d.
monstrate that the words Everlasting pur
ishment," and all other seemingly Anti
Universalist clauses in the creed ought to be
and could be p~hilologically and grammati
calIy construed so as 10 agree with Unlyer
salism; and suppose a majority should final
y vote the creed to be a genuine Universe
list confession of faith would all that maxi
it so? Or would there be any honor in suci
| Justification, even if the majority could taxi
with them meeting-houses, church plate, ant
all the congregation, who cared more for al
old pew than for principle Tell us wha
you think of this, friend George, and let u
not get out of patience with each other OIL
such a subject.-Practical Christian,