Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-11-03
Political Anti-Slavery,
ST. GAINESVILLE, Oct. 9th,

ST. GAINESVILLE, Oct. 9Th, lS49.
FRIEND JOHNSON AS you have so kindly
offered ne moro space, 1 hope your readers will
bear with me, while l direct their attention once
more to the subject of Political nti-Slavery,
as it is an important one and should be tho
roughly canvassed. You seem to think chat it
is out of our line of duty to devise a method
for bringing about a dissolution of the Union
or, in other words, that we should advocate
Disunion without regard to consequences or
trying to avert any evil effect that may flow
from q want of caution, or consideration. This
appears to me to be the inevitable conclusion to
which We must arrive from your argument.
The question of Disunion is one Of great and
transcendent importance; and, on it, should it
be consummated, depends the future veal or
woe of a whole Nation of people. By a want
of due consideration, we may thwart the very
object we have in view-the abolition of Sla-
very. We may cause anarchy and confusion to
reign triumphant-the valleys and plains of our
country to be crimsoned with the blood of her
own citizens-civil war, with all its horrors, to
devastate the land. All this is possible. With
this fearful responsibility resting upon us, we
should be wary and cautious in our movements
weigh well every attribute of the question
endeavor to kno,o the consequences, that we
may be able to meet them, should it come to the
test.
The people believe that a dissolution Of the
Union cannot be brought about peaceably-that
it will inevitable create civil war-that an
archy will ensue-that blood must flow, as a
consequence. They do not see howl will abol-
ish slavery, and look upon it as, at most, but
abolishing ourselves from the guilt. But we
believe that a peaceable secession from the Uni
on can be c~flected-that Disunion toiH abolish
slavery. 1t becomes us then to let the people
know in what manner we think such results can
be accomplished.
You say that, because we believe the pre-
sent government fundamentally and inherently
pro-slavcry," it does not follow that VIC are to
show how it is to be superseded. But is this
the extent of our doctrine? Do we not ask
the people to come OFT of this pro-slavcry gov
ernment They believe it impossible to get
along without governmental regulations. They
acknowledge it to be sinful to remain in alliance
with the present civil compact. They do not
see how they can peaccably sever this connexion
and form a new one. Are they, then, not to be
enlightened on this subject? Not even to know
whether we desire a new governments Yes l
repeat it, we should let the people know, and
they have a right to know, what our means and
ends are. / am confident that we should gain
ground much faster were we more particular in
this respect. Now, I do not contend that we
should show precisely" how a better govern
ment is be instituted but we should at least
show that we desire a more Just one and also
the radical and fundamental principles we wish
established. Am l wrong when l assert that
Disunionists wish to establish a free govern
ment-one that will recognize and guarantee to
its subjects the inalienable right to "Life, Lib
cry, and the Pursuit of Happiness !" 1 think
not. If not, then why not assert it: We be-
lieve a dissolution of the Union to be right and
practicable-that we can establish a govern
!, mcnt on the broad platform of equal liberty to all
Then, let us tell the people how we propose
to establish it. This method is not to be i'm.
mutable, like the laws of the Modes and Per.
SLAMS; but merely to serve as an outline o.
our views, and to show that they are not alto
: gether unreasonable. The people consider Dis.
union to be absurd and impracticable-think i
to involve insurmountable difficulties. AND
yet We call upon them to unite with us. Car
We expect them to do it till we remove thosC
difficulties that exist in their minds Surely
t not, unless they resign their reason. Let thu
people but once understand that it is not thu
t impracticable thing they suppose it to be, ant
they tcW flock to our standard. Then let III
tear down the altar on which are inundated thu
victims consigned to this worse than Carthage,
MAN Moloch, American Slavery. Let us real
up in its stead a Temple to be dedicated to Lib.
erty, which shall open its portals to the oppressed
of every cline. Let US carry out in practice
the glorious declaration, that "All men arc
created Free and Elual"-make our country
indeed the Gland of the Free and Home Of
the Brave" Then it will no longer be said Of
us, aye are hypocrites and liars" We call
upon every true patriot-all, who would not
witness their country sink into ruin, with infa-
my and disgrace-all, who would regenerate
her-who would wipe out this foul blot from
her national escutcheon, to join in the cry Of
No union aoih Shareholders -
Yours, as ever, J. w. NEWPORT.