Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-01-19
Letter from a Cnmphellile Preacher.
RANDoLrn, Jan. eth, 1850.


called upon by the force of circumstances
thrown around us by others to say and do !
things which are alike repusive to our feel
ings, but which we at the same time must
say and do or permit misrepresentation and /
falsehoods TO 90 unrebuked and wear the |
garb of sacred truth.
Thesc.reAeciions were called forth by the
appearance of several articles published by
my fellow townsman, J. f. Smalley, two Of
which appearing in the Anti-Slavery Bugle,
desire TO notice as a specimen of his disiu-
genuousuess. The first article to which |
refer is in No A, Vol. 5, aud is headed "Spec-
linen of Sectarian Anti-Slavery." shall
pass by his cant and rant about political
demagogues, sectarian priests, and cats-paw
members, as have no feelings of animosity
or of blighted ambition TO crafty. l wish
simply to give true history of the circum-
stance of the denial of the house to tue col
ored widow woman, given by your cores
pondent as evidence of hypocritcal profess
sion of sympathy for the downtrodden and
oppressed slave by the Christian church.
Now the facts of the case are these there
are two houses about ten or twelve rods dis
tant from each other, occupied the one by
man and his family, (the deacon referred toy
the other by widowed Sister-in-law. The
small building, for which application was
made for the use of the colored woman and
her children, is situated about equal distance
between the two occupied houses, and is
owned by the widow. Application was
made to the owner, aud, without due renec-
ton, her consent obtained, but upon more
mature reflection, she became satisfied that
it would be imprudcnt to permit family
who were entirely unknown TO them TO oc-
cupy house in such immediate proximity
10 their own, be they black or white; there
fore the owner, before her brotllcr-in-law
returned home, (he being absent at the time,)
took out the floor and a window, showing by
this that it should not he occupied for roa-
sons given above. Prior to this the owner
had refused this house to family OF whites,
hence Slavery nor Anti-Slavery had nothing
TO do in the case, v.l.. ....
There was another house offered for the
use of the colored woman, so her wishes
might have been met notwithstanding. Why
then was an occurrence so trihing seized
upon by your correspondent as evidence of
a hypocritical profession of anti-slavery prin-
ciples? Was the woman and her children
flying from the bondage of Slavery? No
she was free woman, seeking house to
live in, am totally unable to soc any
shadowiDg forth, or any connexion that this
case has either with slavery or nnti-slave"y.
! must therefore conclude that your cores
pondent was when writing this piece under
review, influenced by feelings unknown and
unfelt by any honorable and truthful man.
As further evidence of the existing an d
overwhelming influence of such feelings as |
have attributed to your correspondent, look
at the flourish and parade of words employ
ed by him with regard 10 this same deacon
seizing and carrying away the communion
table, &c. A table, by the by, which was
his own private property A fact which
must have been known by your correspon-
don't when he saw him take it away, which
occurred at time when gang of disorder
ly persons, headed by your correspondent,
had taken possession of the meeting house,
declaring themselves to be the church, al
though they were a minority of its members.
This conduct on their part induced the dea-
con to take his table home, which AT any
time he had right to do. But will not
farther particularize, as the tone and spirit
of the entire article may be given as evidence
conclusive TO all candid and rejecting minds
that he was carried forward at the time of
writing by an influence more, much more
dishonorable to his heart than his head. The
other contribution to your paper, signed by
]. +. S., TO which / wish to bestow little
notice, is in Vol. 5, No. 9, headed the Church
in Randolph. Passing what is said with re-
| gard TO the different opinions entertained by
the different sects as undeserving of notice,
pass on 10 review what he says with regard
TO the appointment made for the colored
man. The notice as stated 10y your cores
| pondent that a colored nnn would speak,
is strictly and literally true. But the char
acter Of that discourse not having been heard
was unknown, and consequently untold
Now notice how soon the ruling propensity
of that mans heart gains the ascendancy
over his pen when he says, 1t was thought
by some to be quite remarkable" &C.
"should all at once repent of its misdeeds,"
&c" take upon itself the responsibility of
circulating notice of an Anti-Slavery Lee
ture, and that too by a 'nigger'." forbear
to comment-but indignantly repel the
charge ofpro-slayery and opposition to anti
slavery, only so it is carried off decently and
in order. Your correspondent well knows