Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-06-29
WORDS OF INTRODUCTION.

AT the earnest and repea'ed solicitation Of
iong-tried personal friends and co-laborers in
the Anti-Slavery cause, | have consented to
take the editorial oversight of the ANrl-SLA-
VERY BUGLE during the current year. In en-
tering upon the discharge of my duties in
this new position, and in a community TO
which | am personally a stranger, | may say
without aflectation that my mind is oppressed
by a sense of the responsibility involved in
1he undertaking, and by the fear that | shall
not be able TO meet either the demands of the
Cause or the expectations of my friends. |
can only promise that whatever of ability or
experience | possess shall be faithfully devo-
ted 10 the work before me, and that the Blu
gle in my hands, whatever may be its faults,
shall not lose the reputation it has acquired
under its former Editors for an un1inching
adherence 10 the cardinal doctrines OF the
American and Western Anti. Slavery Socie-
ties.
The present is an important period in the
history Ct the Auti-SIavery Movement.-
The public mind is at length so far saturated
Nih dHI-SldNtIJ hhNns lldl pOIlIlEIdHS u
every class find it necessary to make loud
professions of regard for Liberty and Equal
Rights; and there is danger that the true
friends Of the cause, deceived by the potent
wiles of party, may be induced TO relax their
exertions and swerve from the high ground
of principle at the very moment when a
firm adherence to the Right is indispensable
to success. The great truth Cannot be too
often nor too earnestly impressed upon the
friends OF the slave, that a political party,
however specious its professions, is neither d
legitimate nor a reliable fundamentally for
the promotion OF a MORAL ENTERPRIsE.-
While they rejoice in political revolutions as
affording evidence that public opinion is
assuming a more healthful tone, that anti
slavery truth is fast permeating the public
conscience, let them not for one moment ina
CINE that the cause can 60 forward by politi-
cal nsirumentaliiies alone, without the aid Of
that MORAL AGITATION which has been so po-
tent in its influence hitherto. Above all, let
them not dream that a party which stands
pledged 10 maintain the compromises Of the
Constitution, to stand guard over slavery in
the States, can be relied upon to prevent its
extension 10 new territories. The party
which thus begins by sacrificing Principle
20 Expediency can offer no sure guaranty Of
adherence even to its own low standard in
time Of temptation. The course of political
parties is ever downward from the point Of
departure; little by little, as their numbers
increase, and office and emolument appear to
depend upon some fortunate stroke Of policy,
they swerve from the line Of recli,ude, until
their very triumph only paves the way for
some new intrigue or disgraceful COMPROMISED
in which Truth and Right are bartered at the
shrine of human selfshness and ambition.
The Free Soil party is one Of the first
fruits of the Anti-Slavery Movement-an ef-
feet Of which that movement is tire cause.
We can afford to be just and even magnani-
nous in our estimate Of its character and
aims. That it originated in an honest desire
TO check the farther encroachmentS Of Slave
ry and ,~coniine it within constitutional limits,
and that this desire is in itself praisewor,hy,
we cheefully acknowledge. Weeven rejoice
that a time has arrived when a political party
can be induced to take such ground. 1t is a
proof that the conscience of the nation, which
Tor a long time gave no signs of vitality, is
slowly but surely waking from its stupor I'M
der tie influence of the Moral Agitation crea-
ted by the Abolitionists. The movement
which has produced such a party, which rem
ders its existence even possible, is still need
ed TO enable it To accomplish even the modi-
fed good at which it aims. Bat il is need
ed still more as the only means whereby the
people Of this country can be induced TO take
their stand upon the ROCK OK PRINCIPLE, to
refuse all compromise with Slavery, and dis
solve their unhallowed Union with Slavehol-
de,s, in the Church as well as in this State.
The Bugle will be devoted hereafter, as it
has been hitherto, TO the great work of recli.
flying Public Opinion by a fearless exposure
OF the crimes and atrocities of Slavery and
OF the gnili Of those who uphold it. Ry ar
guments and appeals addressed TO the con-
science and the moral sense Of The communi-
ty, it will seek 10 destroy the unrighteogs
compacts and compromises by which the
North is leagued with the South for the sup
port and sustenance of Oppression. In this
warfare its spirit must ever be bold and ag-
g~ressive. 1t can offer no terms of c%apitula-
ton to the enemies of Liberty; it can exempt
from censure no one who would earn the
right to speak one part OF the truth by basely
conserving 10 suppress another. All The samo