Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-12-28
Letter from ]. B. Giddings.


The following arc the principal portions Of
a letter from Mr.. Giddings to citizens of Pal
myra, who had invited him to attend an an
ii-Fugitive Law meeting in that place. We
copy from the Ravenna Star.
Had this law commanded mo n
commit common murder, or ordinary piracy.
l might have taken into consideration tie
propriety OF obeying it. But il requires me
to give cllase TO the flying bondman as he
hastens TO u land of freedom-to seize him
and rlvet the cold iron upon his trembling
limbs, TO drag him back and deliver him
over TO bondage, to chains, TO the scourge. TO
barbarous death by torture under the lash
of an inhumnn overseer. Every intelligent
person knows that all reclaimed fIgitves nre
Immediately sold and carried to that Gogo-
tia of the South, where Mr.. Clay assures us
that the average length of their lives does
not exceed Ere or seUen years. The Fugi-
tive Law commands MS TO participate in ar
resting and sending victims TO this southern
lmmolation, by torture thousand timcs
more cruel than ordinary assassination. l
would be as willing TO handle the scourgc,
to sink the thong into his quivcrng flesh, aud
to tear from him the life which God has Civ
en- him, Ms TO seize him aud hand him over
10 his tormeniors, with the full knowledge
aud conviction that they will do il. Nor is
the crime of the slave catcher less in tho
sight of God or good men that is the guilt of
him who consumnatcs the outrage by this
final sacrifice to the victim.
Yet we are told we must obey this law and
perpetuate these crimes, until a Slave ridden
Congress shall see fit TO reclaim us from
such sin against God, by repenlng the law.
"Hhcther il be rigid 10 obey God rather ihas
man Judge gel"
From my innermost soul abhor, detest
and rcpndiate this law. despisc the human
being who would obey it, if such being
has existence
] should regard such mnn MS a moral
nuisance, communicating the air of freedom,
and would kick him from my door, should
he dare attempt to enter my dwelling.
The authors of this law may take from mo
my substance, may inprison me, or take my
life, but they have not the power TO degrade
me by compelling me 10 commit such trans-
cendant crimes against my fellow man aud
against Gods law.
rejoice exceedingly that the people Of
the free Stuies comprehend and appreciate
this insult to every freeman ut the North
Public feeling is aroused, popular indigna-
ton is speaking trumpet tongued TO those
servants OF the people who dared thus de-
grade The Amcricaf character by constifut.
ing us Catchpoles of Southern slnve-hunters.
The great leader of the democratic party
has been rebuked in his own district, in IIis
Dwn State Michigan and Wisconsin are no
onger Stare Staies. They are now the
lbodes of .feemen. Illinois too, is moving.
She has discarded some of her public ser
Iants who were not regarded as reliable for
freedom. New York, the home of the Pres
dent too, is hurting defiance at all who
would ensluve her people. Delaware has
and rcpudiated her public men
who sustained the infamous law; and New
Jersey now stands Orrayed against the adj
ninistnton who approved this nefarious en-.
lctment. Even old Massachusetts has spoken
"a thunder tones in eXecrnton of this Law.
From every portion of the free States we
Iave the cheering intelligence that freedoms
hosts are moving with an irresistible power.
Ours is the cause of truth and humnnity.--
Dur triumph is ncar but let no friend lny
lside his nrmor. Let our watchword be on
odrd--and victory, glorious victory will
,rown our efforts. J. II. GIDDlNGS.