Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-09-14
Letter from a Free-SOiler.
BAYARD's HOTEL, CHAoRIS Falls, o..
September 3rd, 1850.

OLIVER JouNsoS-DRAR SIN At Bainbridge,
on the 3Oth and 3lst ult, had the opportuni-
ty, for the first time, of hearing the disunion
principles discussed by such persons as A. X.
FOSTER and II. @. WRIoHr.
In Sept. 1874, at the State Anniversary of
the Liberty Party in New York, It was my plea
sure to support the Constitution, as an Anti
Slavery document, and to urge upon the Con-
vention the practicability Of combining with the
{" one idea" the election Of officers Of the State
and Federal Government, directly through the
ballot-box, which it was supposed, might give
strength and stability to that organization, and
that by taking up reform measures in advance
of the other parties, it might thereby secure tho
co operation of those favorable to a renovation
of the government in all its departments. 1t is
unnecessary to say, however, the majority OF
the Convention refused to take such ground,
and it turned out as was anticipated, the party
was turned into if not overwhelmed by party
that did not fail to take sides for nearly all those
reforms, though the Free-Soi party was too
far behind on the subject of the abolition Of
slavery, and its prosperity may have been limi-
ted by its care to avoid the agitation of abolition
by the power of Congress.
Possessing that strong faith in the ballot-box
as we'll for the ultimate removal of slavery as a
reform in the condition of the different branches
of government, it has been quite natural for me
to indulge want Of confidence in disunion anti
slavery lecturers. have had occasion to hear
some unfavorablc reflections upon disunion ad-
vocatcs where have lccturcd on slavery and
government reforms in different parts of the
country. Much however, as those lecturers
have been misrcprescntcd, have uniformly at
tributcd to them honesty of purpose and disin-
terested services, without much hope of 6enof-
cial results from the agitation of such principles
as might at first seem to array themselves against
n natural feeling of patriotism and tcnacity to
adhere to the Union of the Confcderacy.
Mrs. Foster, however, in the afternoon Of the
last day of the meeting at Bainbridge, must
frankly confess, succeeded in convincing me, if
not many others, that the advancement Of the
disunion cause, as it was there advocated, will
not really interfere with either the progress of
the moro pro-slavcry portion of the Free-Soil
party, or those in the party who wish to take
higher stand on the Constitution for freedom.
For ono, at least, am convinced that with
the present apparent frankncss, combined with
becoming mildness in disunion anti-slavery lcc-
turcrs, disintorestcd and unassuming of course
as they must appear before the public--not OBJ
served by politicians and others with jealous
apprchensions of emoluments and offices under
the government-thcy will do more-I venture
to say tito arouse the churches and members
of the dominant political parties of the country
to the enormity and sinfulncss of slavery than
can be accomplished through any other agency;
and it is equally as apparent that while they
convert ten men so far as to become disunionists
and non-votcrs, they make by their anti-slavery
appeals and arguments an hundred others Free
Soilers, if not constitutional anti-slavcry advo-
Gates.
The generous mention which she made Of the
motives and efforts of those who desire the abo-
lition of slavery under the action of the Consti-
tuition, or of the old Liberty party, were calcu-
lated to secure the respect of that class of re-
formers.
The mention of the slavery sentiments of
Frec-Soilers in Congress, opposed as they are
to proper Interpretation of the Constitution,
was severe, pointed, and perhaps in most res
poets just But the Frce-Soil party, though
they have asserted their determination from the
commencement to relieve the government from
slavery by all constitutional means" arc ma
king evident progress in the cause and many
who belong to the party are now ready to take
higher moral and political ground for the exter-
of the "cursed institution" by the
direct power of Congress.
On Sabbath evening Mr.. WRIoHT gave very
able lecture on the subject of War, which not
only demonstrated the c'carncss of his reason
ing power, but the purity of his sentiments. 1t
was, perhaps, in some respects impracticablc,
but it was nevertheless interesting. lie is not
brilliant as orator, but impressive and interest
ing. 1t was not my fortune to hear Mr.. .Pillsbury.
As to the "Phrenology," as Fowler would
say, of Mrs. FosTER, the outlines of her head
indicate some strongly marked and decided
traits of character, with cerebral organization
well balanced and proportioncd to well organi-
zed body. The large frontal lobe indicates un-
talent and mind always ready for
the emergency, and though she is not an orator,
and does not draw upon the imagination, there
is always fund of information and argument
on hand, which is dealt out in few words with
a clearness, force and power which reaches the
heart and moves tho head. 1 observed few
members of the bar who would be her superiors
in argument or in that easy versatility of tai
cnt which is ready without prompting. The
coronal OF higher region of the head is also
worthy of mention-large Veneration, Marvel
lousness or Spirituality, Conscentiousness,
Hope and Benevolence, which are apparent to
the observer. They speak for themselves with
out regard to her " "Infidelity" and motives.