Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-06-08


MIR. BEEcHER came forward, and taking
from his pocket roll of manuscript and sew
eral books, and laying them on the desk,
said: Friends, be not alarmed at the notes
thus produce, for l am not going TO preach
sermon to you ON this occasion. No, have
come here TO state my views-my opinions
on the great question of slavery-and these
papers are only authorities in support of
those views and opinions. If thought they
were worthless, would not imtrude myself;
but of that you can judge. There was a time
when II was asked what right we had to dis
cuss this question? That time has now
come with greater right than ever; if we
don't do it now, as has been shown to us,
we shall be subject shortly to pains aud pen
alties therefor. Ii is therefore OF consequence
to us that we should fully discuss and under
stand the matter in all its bearings. The
time has gone by when they could say TO US,
"Go South aud preach those doctrines."-
Now, TO 90 South with such views was not
very pleasant; they hnd very disagreeablc
pulpts in whicl, TO preach; they only give
you u very short time to exh0rt our hearers,
Tor they placed around your neck something
like tllis-(hcrc the speaker Significantly
pointed 10 liis neck, ii placing rope
round it, aud threw his he,,d back, as ii slis-
pended )---so that liiile could be said on il,
for your preaching and yoIr sense were gone
together in a few moments, as far MS this
world is concerned. There. are only two
points on Which | wish 10 say anything oil
this subject: one is, what tue people say of
il; and whit are we going TO do allour il. i
speak OH this subject TO friends, alike to all;
and the first point il, What is the Christan
community going to do on The subject?
am well aware that all that is to be done can
not be done at once but whatever eau be
done ought TO beat once done. now more so
than ever ASA Christian nation, we huye u
right to interfere in ihis matter; and my OBJ
ject is TO show o. Christian nation what il is.
Iii this nation, the law OF Christianity. is the
only authorized law for all men and ilithat
law is maintained aud enforced, just SO lar
such law willever be found just aIId right.--
Great Britain. is a Christian cOuutryfa as well
as America. hTheys have not done any more
thun this country, all that Christianity re-
quires OF them OH this subject; and although
much has been donc,byi them, more is YET TO
be done; aud on this question the people OF
America haveifmuchD more TO do, and have
greater powento do il, as the power lies in
the hands of.ihe people. Let lis look ut the
question of Slavery in any light, it will be
found impolitic, unjust and anti-C ChristaD--
As an ;ndustrial question, it is iallacious; it
is no ways profitable il does not and cannot
tend to the public veal; physiologically or
socially, it cannotbe maintained or support
ed; and whichever way il is looked at, il
will be found much entangled with the web
and warp OF the whole fabric. If the ques-
tion is only looked at from these points, not
half of what really could be said against it
could be expressed. lfyou wish to see it at
all points, you must look at it through the
medium of Christianity in every part There
we discover what is the principle of slavery.
The radical principle of slavery, as maintain
ed by its supporters, is that slave is not a
Man. This is what is maintained by the
most learned jurists OF the South as orthodox
doctrine; and TO show you that am not
speaking without authority for what say, |
shall read to you few extracts from the law
as laid down by some of the most able meni-
bers OF the Southern bench in South Caroli-
nn and Louisiana, as well as those of the
most talented members of the legislature
Hero he read several extracts in support OF
these views, wherein slaves were treated and
spoken of, and held as mere goods and chat
tells, that in legol lphraseology were pro nuliis,
pro morris; that they could be disposed OF
wherever and in whatever manner The hold
er thought proper, Just the same as all inan-
innate things or beasts of the fields or forests
go that it was right that child might lie Civ
en- to one and the mother 10 another person.
TO be treated just as their whim, fancy, or ill.,
terest dictated. Judge Ruthyin, of South
Carolina, thus spoke of the subject But
while the colored man remained on the coast
OF Africa, he was to all intents and purposes q
free man, and entitled to all the rights appef.
tanning 10 hifny but when the hands of the
slave kidnapper We're once puced upon hin
and he brought here, he ceased to be a man
This was the constructions which the slave
owner put upon the subject. But once n
his possession, theahan becomes a athing, an,
all belonging to, him, present aud future, i.
but part and parcel Of his goods und,chat
tells, and is treated accordingly. Eere the
reverend gentleman proceeded TO read som,
further extracts iroinlegal opinions delivered
by the same Judge on this question, which