Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-04-27

they could not become moro time-serving,
more hostile to abolitionism, more practical
ly pro-slavery while professedly dnti-slavery
than are the Friends in America. There are
Of course individual exceptions to this, and
many of them; and if The Society itself is
gradually taking higher ground, We rejoice
that the pressure from without is producing
a better state of feeling and action w,thin.
The adherents of the sect may strive TO
conceal the fact from themselves and others,
but it nevertheless is true that the position of
the Society Of Friends in America in rela.
ton 10 the anti-slavery cause is one Of hosti-
lity-that its testimonies against abolitionists
have been more pointed than those against
slaveholders-that its members sustain a
government pledged TO the support of slave
ry, and use their personal influence and their
ballots for the political elevation of men,
thieves. The great mass Of them are ignor-
ant Of the character of abolitionists, and the
principles and measures they advocate
They will not read anti-slavery papers, for
they believe that all which il is needful for
them 10 know in relation TO the subject, can
be learned within the limits of the Society
they will not unite with others TO free the
slave, for they have been solemnly warned
against "he miriure." This keeps them in
darkness and inactivity. If they were con-
sislent in their adherence of the mixture,
they would be entitled TO some commenda-
ton, and their darkness would be the sub
ject Of pity rather Than censure. But it is
well known that Friends have no objection
to mixing with the world for the advance
ment of selfish inierests-for the promotion
of the cause Of Mammon; and however ig-
norant they may be in regard TO anli.slavery
principles and measures, none are better ad-
Of the fluctuations Of Of the ad-
'vantages of manufacture and the profits of
trade. Banking associations, Railroad com.
panles, Manufacturing corporations, and 9TH
er like organizations, though created out of a
mixture whose adhesive power is 10 be main
ly found in the love Of gold, presents moth.
ing terrible to the Quaker; il is only such
mixtures as are TO be found in Temperance,
Peace, and An,i-slavery Societies -which or
CARNATIONS, by the way, embody almost all
the moral principle in the country-agains,
which the members of the Society are so
Frequently and aee ~tionat-ly wlruel. And
though they disclaim lhe idea of being poll
ticians, they dabble enough in the muddy
waters Of party 10 familiarize themselves with
the character of ell political measures which
directly affect their interest. The most Of
them train with The Wing party, and can I'M
derstand TO at. how voting for a Tariff man
will benefit the system Of American manu-
features, but are so obiuse they are utterly
unable to comprehend how voting for a slave.
holder can benefit the system Of American
slavery.
The Society does not, it is true, knowing.
ly retain in connection any actual slave.claim.
ant; but the defence Of slavery, the voting
for a STAKEHOLDER, or the support of a slavery
sustaining constitution, are none Of them re-
garded as disciplinary offences. If to give
strength and vitality to a government which
upholds slavery, if to confer political power
upon men-thieves and thus enable them 10
increase their expressions, if to defend by
word or deed doctrines which sanction the
ens!avement of man be no violation o.
the christian law, then no fault can be
found with The present position of Friends il
ApaaY;oa. hnt &c Mana oan H., thoeo ,h;ao.
and be a perfect man, then does that Society
which retains in its bosom unrebuked tht
doors Of such deeds, fail TO erect a true stan
dard Of Chrislianity-to show forth in iht
lives Gifts membersthe freedom-lovipg slave
ry-haiing doctrines OF Jesus. And this, W.
believe the Society OF Friends has failed ia
do, and there are many who yet retain thei
connexion with it, who have not yet entire
ly shaken off the bands of sect, who feel tina
it is so. A Society which proclaims 10 tn,
world that it is a greater offence for one o
its members TO marry contrary to the orde
of its Discipline, than to vote for ZACHARY
Taylor with his blood-dripping laurels AM
slavery-loving soul, is unfit TO be a teache
of morality, an expounder of the principle
of the Great Emancipator and the Prince 0
Peace.
Friends in America, collectively and indi
vidually. must take higher ground in rela
tion to slavery, unless they wish to see thei
organization cast aside like a worn out gar
ment. They have long enough lived upor
the honor won by their fathers; the age has
become so Democratic that the nobility o
ancestry counts but little, and the fact tina
they are descendants of those whose zeal il
behalf of the slave was unIiring, and who's,