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

after the labor and fatigue Of an exciting Con-
vcntion, Ito which VIC came worn all out with
field service, perhaps to report it.
In numbers, the gathering cqualed almost
anything ever saw in Ohio. 1t was, however,
badly arranged enough. 1t was demanded by
the fossil remains of the old Liberty Party who
came, that the question of the Consiitutionality
of Slavery be submitted to two chosen champi-
ons for full discussion Of one day or more, the
rest constituting ourselves into lockers on, to
see the combat. A singular proposal truly to
make, when such as Burlcigh, Foster, Icmond,
Douglass, Gay and Lucrotia Mott were all to be
present. Most of us protested against it, but
somehow the measure was carried, and Gcrrit
Smith was selected ON the ono side, and Charles
c. Durlcigh on the other.
Th&}xst forenoon was consumed in prehmi-
nories! Samuel ]. May was chosen President
In the afternoon and evening, we had some cx-
ccllcnt speeches from the President, and Messrs.
Burleigh, Foster and Rcmond, though good
deal of time was used up in arranging for the
duel next day, and how VIC could all be held
and bound over to keep the peace on the ques-
ton then to be settled, until that time.
AT nine o'clock next morning the scene be-
can--the house was crowded with spectators,
eager most of them to sec the battle, but by no
means to be affected by it. Neither party dis
tinguished himself greatly. lhad never hearo
Mr.. Smith before, and though / never indulge
in high expectations OF anybody he Ien i"r
short of what did anticipate lie did not
bring half of his opponents forces out have
seen Burlcigh when opposed to Picrpolht OF
George Bradburn acquit himself lar moro nom
orably, because he had far moro OCCASION
thought it dignifying the old enemy Of and
apostatc from, the Anti-Slavcry movement too
much to indulge it with set battle with SO hon
orablc an opponent, and therefore could take
little interest in it. And besides, at this time'
tho Constitutiouality OF Slavery being so gcnor-
ally admitted, it seemed all the greater waste oi
talent. But so some would have II.
Tho set discussion lasted all the second day
and evening, and with the exception OF the last
hour, was by the chosen champions. The last
speech was by a colorcd Methodist clergyman
by the name of Ward, distin5 5uished relic oil
the old Liberty Party. 1t would be but doubt
full praise to say, it was by far the ablest speeeh
made on that side OF the question. II was
however, most ingenious, ami IN some parts,
able and eloquent performance - sparkling
throughout with original wit and humor.
When the speech OF Ward was through, there
was a elamorous call in all parts OF the house
for the question on tho Resolutions. have
long since ceased to be surprised at any thing.
but most OF our friends were overwhelmed with
astonshment at this stfangc proceeding. We
had been solcmnly assured that when the two
chosen disputants had concluded, there should
be full, general and free discussion Of the whole
subject. And here was the way the pledge was
fulfilled.
The house was Immediately thrown into con-
fusion. We were evidently small minority OF
the whole, and Gerrit Smith seemed anxious to
seize the ilood-tide OF enthusiasm occasioned by
the speech of Mr.. Ward, and in the true spirit
of the political dcmasoguc, to turn it to party
account.
Every attempt to speak on our part, every re-
monstrancc VIC tried to utter, was drowned in
tho bsllowing cry of Question! Question!
When we found it must be as our opponents
said, We demanded the yeas and nays. This
too was clamorcd and stonned down. And
then, too, the Roll was not completed. VIC
then demanded who had right to vote in a
Convention called by the American Anti-Slave-
ry Society. II was answered, "all who arc
enrolled or are teiliing TO Jc." Finally it was
decided to take general vote OF all present, not
as decision of the question, but only as an cx-
preston of opinion. As was to be expected, the
opposition carried it by large majority, as Ger
rit Smith exclaimed, in very rude manner the
moment the vote was declared, "we have it by
more than five to one" But few Of our friends
voted at ALL 1t was unworthy of any of us to
vote in such case.
Gerrit Smith had introduced, as q substitute
for the Resolutions of tho Business Committee,
two Resolutions OF his own, OF entirely opposite
character; and the vote was to tread ours under
foot, and carry his own. The whole movement,
both the offering the resolutions and the manner
Of carrying them over our rights, and over cve-
nv principle of dccency and justice, confirmed
me more and moro in my opinion of the cor
rupting, debasing. degrading, depraving nature
of party politics, no matter how high the pre-
tensions and professions of the party. And
regret to add that Mr.. Smiths whole dcmeanor
towards the meeting was not such as will appear
to advantage in the review. For myself, Ispokc
but once at any length at all, and then he con-
stantly interrupted me, said my i"soience was,
don't remember how great, and that he was
never so insulted and Outraged in meeting in
all his life, And yet, l only spoke of the party
and in calling his name, did it in connexion
with Whittier, Leavitt and others with whom