Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-02-09


practical enjoyment of their Slaves under the
Constitution, and those, on the other, who
feel more the scandal than the sin of Slave
ry, and who ask only to be permitted "to
live IN decencies forever" To this class,
South aud North, such politicians us CLAY
and BENTON are perfect Godsends. They fur
nish tertiln qtid middle quantity equal
ly removed from the two extremes oftho Ma
tionnl problem. They take an Idea aud split
il in two aud triumphanty hold up the moi
ETY. as proof of the truth of the philosophic
paradox of old time, that the half is more
than the whole. Anything that shifts re-
sponsiblty that defcrs action, that puts far
ther oft the evil day of doing something, is
welcome boon. Glars adjournment of the
question TO the Greek Kulends, and BENToN's
movement to restrict Slavery within its ex-
isting boundaries, carefully holding on to his
own Slaves, and letting his neighbors Slaves
alone in the most resolute manner, both meet |
want in the American market.
In fact, there are but two ideas in the u
nted States The one is Slavery and the
other is Anti-Savery. All others are but the
disjecia mcmbrd, the scattered limbs, of mas
sacred Ideas. Tariff and Anti Tariff, Free
Trade and Protection, Bank aud Sub-Trea-
| sury, yea, even Free Soil ITSELF rest upon no
| great principle, appeal to 10 Eternal Truth
| for their sanction. The first are mere
schemes of policy, about which men differ
according as they affect their interests, pres
ent or prospective. Their ultimate appeal is
to the Day-Book and Ledger, to the returns
of Exports and Imports, and to the quarterly
statements of the Revenue. And the last
carefully abstains from going TO the iounda-
tons OF things existing, and scrlpuously
L..
shake them. With Slavery within the Uni
ted States, and as protected by the Constitu-
ton, IL docs not pretend TO intenneddle. 1t
shudders at the extension of what it is will
ling to tolerate. This is, plainly, but very
small segment of the Great Idea which is to
abolish Slavery. That Idea uims at the en-
tire and utter determination Ofits Antagonist,
now, without delay, wherever it exists, and
at whatever cost OF political institutions or
pecuniaTy interests. II takes no counsel with
flesh and blood. Ii sees the uglmess of Sla-
very and its inherent denominations, and con-
sidcis the past and present consent of the
Nation MS of no account, except as an ill.,
creased motive for Instantly getting rid of it.
No other Idea has vital power and energy
enough TO meet the necessities of the case.
Ii il this alone that will finally triumph. All
attempts TO do It's work by employing lis
a
! ! were il possible thing, would be mischiev.
ous as disracting the general mind from the
! real question at issue, from the solution Of
= the great Enigma.
U The more distinctly the two opposite Ideas
; can be brought into palpable antagonism, the
!. better. The mischief OF every half measure
y and imperfect idea, is, that it prevents or re-
! turds their joining battle. 1t is the great
a strategy of tie best friends of Slavery to pro
tract the day of battle. Their policy is Fa
J. bian. Their hope is in delay. And the i'll
y advised schemes of well-mcaning persons fol
. the restriction of what they should destroy
> helps this policy Of these enemies of the hu
u man race. Now Mr.. Calhoun is honorably
: distinguished from all these classes of men
y by the definiteness of his position, the unmis
. takeabeness of his doctrine, and the uncom
promising consistency of his private life. |
S is an inesiimable advantage TO have an enc
my that you know where to find lie is NJ
Proteus that will change his shape as sooI
/ as you grupple with him. 1t will be fai
h combat until the death struggle. Let u
r have the question fairly tested. Ii Shaver,
+ he a blessed thing let us all acknowledge il
;, divinity and submit TO its sway. If it be O
its father the Devil, let us exercise il AM
r send it back to the bottomless pit from
d whence it sprung. But let us no longer IT,
n TO make il out sort of hybrid between llea
i ven and Hell. Let us settle its character am
,e behave ourselves accordingly. Had we II
NJ antagonists but those of the character of MI
Or CALHOUN, we should soon be able TO brin
" the matter to a point. And our endeavo
a should be to compel all men to take as dec
err ded ground as he, OH the one side or on Ill
" other. While we are ever willing TO max
,l. allowances for imperfect reaclings after Il
IN right, we should he ever careful that the
" should never be looked at as an attainmer
ot or even a near approach it. If we ieal
es of our enemies aud are but as wise in Of
to generation as Mr. CALHOUN is in his, v
.e. need not fear for the result.