Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-07-06
9eIertions.
SPEECH OF WENDELL PHILLIPS.
WEpNEsDAr-FoRENooN Session.
AT THE NEW ENGLAND A. $. CONVENTION.

WEDNEsDAT-FoRENooN SESSION.
Ma. CHAIRMAN: Allow me to make few
observations as to u part of tho Speech I,
which we have listened from Mr.. Tiosmer.
And first, us to the charge of abuse and de
nunciation we plead guilty to no sucl
charge. We do not plead guilty to using
unchartable language. Is any man able tc
take this platform, and show that we have
used an epithet concerning any one, which
is not justified by the facts, and by his we'll
known character? We will not grant that
we have used an dbusive epithet. Merely
because word ascribes TO an act or n man
greot amount of infamy, is no evidence
that that word is abusive. Words arc made
for use: the fault lies in deserving them the
abuse in applying them unfairly or unkindIy.
We would not proclaim the truth merely be-
cause it was offensive and severe, but we
would not keep back any necessary truth
merely because it would give offence. A
question lies behind this constant accusa-
ton. II is this Have we a right to speak
the truth ? Is it, or is il not, necessary to
describe truly the condition of society and
the character of men with whom we are
brought i'll conflict, in order that we may
cure an evil or correct n vice? There is a
maudlin charity which shuts its eyes upon
the sins of society, and seems to think that
vice is to be taken out of the body polite as
Eve was out of Adam, by putting him to
sleep. We cannot thus whcedle the COM
munity. The devil is wiser ;han we think.
The STAKEHOLDER is not nppeased by delicate
language. If he perceives in the individual
nn earnest purpose and pledged detcrmi-
nation against bis system, he hates him Just
rs mucn for that purpose wrapped up in a
hOpia1 Y,I nc sf -
rough old Saxon. The only thing such a
writer gains is, the Irish loss of being unin-
telligible, dull, or doubted by the commu-
nifty.
DIR. Charming wretc with calmncss, with
a carefully chosen phraseology, with an alb
sence Of all strong language, which no man
can ever expect to go beyond. Was he
liked? Did the stakeholder, when he per-
ceived Charming to be in earnest, welcome
him as an agreeable critic? DIR. Claiming had
his portion of abuse on the floor of Congress
and in Southern press, side by side with
John Quincy Adams. He was doing work
for the disciplined aud thoughtful, for the
secluded and peaceful. There was some
thing more to be done in taking this torch
of truth, and carrying il forward so as TO ar
rest the attention of the masses. This can
only be done by the plainest speech, by
words so spontaneous, instead of weighed
and guarded, that they alone provo the
speaker sincere ond in earnest, and secure
him hearing.
For mon in earnest have no time to waste
In patching fig leaves for the naked truth
If then, you dislike our terms, show us
TINT they are not true. And if you cannot,
show us that il is not necessary truly to do
scribe great evil, in order TO ensure its de- |
Surely, the best thing for an hon
est man TO say is to speak that which comes
uppermost. If he does not speak from tenn
per or ill-will, let him welcome, if he can
with truth, the whole vocabulary of the An
glo Saxon tongue, and hur its hottest thun-
derbolts at the vioator of justice.
Daniel OConnell has described the A.
merican citizen who holds slaves as the |
most despicable of men, and a political
lypocrite of the very worst description
The gentleman who has addressed yon
thinks there are other classes of men who |
are more despicable than the American
He spoke of the Northern sup
porter of slavery. Let il be remembered,
however, that Daniel O'Connel had not
read the last speech of Daniel Webster
Kisses and plaudts. We must interpret
his language according 10 his time, and he
DtShO tUACi1 40 ~ WCltj
was in the gristle, and not yet hardened into
the bone of its present manhood. Provi-
dence gives lis, every year, fhgitivcs TO tell
the tale of slavery, and impart fresh interest
10 our anti-slavery gatherings. Now it is
Ellen Crafts, and anon it is Henry Box
Brown. This year we have not any fngi-
tive from slavery; but we have the great
Daniel himself fugitive into slavery
Applause and groans. And in describing
the man and his efforts, let it be remember
ed that we mean to describe him graphically,
II possible, as far as language gives us the
means--we mean pantinglyto toll after him,
and ny TO describe him truly; and if we fail,
Il shall be the fault of the language, and moi
ours. II, a year ago, any sensitive person
thought our language harsh, most of this
class will allow that the events of the last
twelyemonth have rendered il tame. Our
lags wofully behind the Anglo
Saxon capacity for SHINING, when once it
gets fhirly launched in the theological or
political m@lstrom. Truly does Pope sing,
:. .Feign what you WILL and paint it Gre solstrong,
Some rising genius sins up to your song