Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-02-23
FRIEND EDlToRs:


gion. JOSEPH TREAT.
FRIEND EDlToRs:
AS your paper appears TO advocate the
doctrine Of equal rights, we claim the privi-
lege of the columns, to correct some false
statements made by Hiram Rigg, in refer
ence 10 a meeting recently held in the viii
lage of Middleton. He first declares in his
article, that The Friends here, do not under
stand The first rudiments Of reform. Now
whether he means, Slavery, Intemperance
and War; or whether he means, they do not
deny the Old Testament Scriptures, as being
the word Of God, as he has openly acknow-
lodged and boldly affirmed, we are unable to
ascertain. But cne thing is certain, that the
discipline Of the Friends is opposed to
Slavery, lntemperance, and War, and claims
the Old Testament Scriptures, as the word
of God. (1) And there is no ecclesiastical
body that has done more for the Slave, than
the Friends. (2) Our friend says they can
discuss Wilberism and Gurneyism, to their
hearts content; but | ask is not this their
ecclesiastical matter, and not political. (3)
Again he says, that William Shaw and
Elwood Chapman, would not suffer him to
put notices of that meeting on their doors, be-
cuase the Disunionists were Infdels. This,
we think, was a good reason. For proof we
only have 10 call the public to Mr.. Riggs
own language on this subject, and what was
that? He most unquivocally declared that
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the
Patriarchs, and Prophets are in He'll, unless
they r~epented on a death bed. (4) He also
says that Richard II. Beason, denied him
the same privilege, and assigns the reason,
that the people here, were opposed to an An
ti-Slavery meeting, in the place; but we af-
firm, that this was not the reason. Richard
II. Beason offered TO aid all he could, in get.
ting up an Anti-Slavery meeting, in the
place but if Mr.. Rigg, was sample Of that
party, if that party held similar doctrines,
the people wanted none of it,. Again Mr..
Rigg, says, he was informed that Daniel
Mercer, offered 25 cents, 10 assist in tarring
and feathering Abby Foster, if she ever came
in this region again. This was not the fact,
he never offered that sum for that purpose. (1)
Now put that and Mat together and see how
II will gingle. Therefore the saddle must
be thrown upon Mr.. Rigg, until he clears
up the matter.
Again he says, their was one friend Of hui
manly, in the place, in whose house the
meeting was held namely, Isaac James; but
permit US the privilege 10 say that Isaac
James, never offered his house for that meet
ing, neither did he want a meeting of that
kind there. His wife however gave a gran
to that effect. (G) In regard to the window
glass, Isaac James, says, their was none bro.
ken. % But let me ask MIR. Rigg, if theil
was not another house offered in the village.
for that meeting ! We know their was, and
one that was quite as large and convenient
as that the meeting was held in. The idea
that Mr.. Rigg wishes to convey, is that theiI
was but one friend of humanity in the place
But let US say with few exceptions the in.
habitants Of Middleton and vicinity, are An.
ii-SIavcry, though it is true We may differ il
political action TO some extent. But We
never can go with a party that denies tht
word of God. as that party does. (S) They
tell US that Moses and the Prophets, neveI
were divinely inspired, when they wrote thu
Old Testament Scriptures. (9) But we thinl
we can prove the authenticity of Christian!
Prophets. Every candid mind must acknow
ledge that there is much depending on thu
moral character Of those who profess to havt
received a revelation from God, and left OF
record the same for the consideration and be
neft Of mankind, for il is reasonable that al
infinitely wise and good being, would cause
the streams.of life 10 flow down to man thro
as pure channels, as the nature of the cast
would require. And we are informed tina
even Angels, on some occasions were sent tC
earth, on errands Of salvation. But God.
most ordinary manner olspeaking to man, hal
been through his fellow men, whose mora
characters were ever in accordance with tht
morality of that religion they preached t'
others, and who were qualified by the Al
mighty to make known his will to the ma
tions of the Earth. Moses, The Jewish Law
giver, in all his acts, presents an illustrioui
moral character, he faithfully discharged tn
trust rePosed in him, and totally forgettin!
himself and his own secular interest will
that also of his family, he labored incessant
ly TO promote Gods honor, and the people
welfare, which on many occasions lie show
ed, were dearer to him than his own life
Moses was in every respect a great man, 70
every virtue that constitutes genuine nobili
ly, was concentrated in his mind, and dis
played in his conduct. He ever conducted
himself as man conscious of his W in
tegrity, and of the guidance and protection
of Heaven.
lie therefore betrays no confusion in hi