Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-02-16
NOI23.
Consistency.

''t-" Mr.. PLEASANT, o., Jan. 30, 1850.
b FRIEND JOHNSON: What peculiar people VIC
Americans are With what q penetrating and
scrutinizing gaze we view the actions of others |;
and yet so slightly pass over our own, unless
they be something that we deem meritorious; !;
then, indeed, will the mountains and forests,
from one extremity of the land TO tho other, echo
with ef-adulations.
We abhor and dctest the tyrannies Of the Old
World; yet for worse oppression exists almost
unrebuked at our own doors. We can scarcely
find words adequate to express the indignation
we feel towards France, for assisting to replace
on the Pontifcal throne the present Pope; yet
we scarcely know how to do sufficient homage
TO the citizen of this republic who robs sister
republic of her soil, for the purpose of extend
ing over it tho whitening curse of Slavery. We
hurl bitter curses across the broad Atlantic, 10
the Emperor Of Austria, because he smothercd
the Hungarian uprising for freedom but, at the
same time, deliberately and solemnly swear to
trample under foot tho liberties Of one-sixth Of
our own countrymen. So, also, do we bitterly
denouncc the Sultan Of Turkey for refusing to
protect the Hungarian refugees, unless they will
consent to become Mahomedans but say to the
fugitive within our own borders, from far
more degrading, loathsome, cruel bondage, no
matter what his religious profession, Our proud
banner affords protection to you--thc broad
mgis of Liberty, under which zee repose in safe
ty, will not shield goa from tyranny
Nor is ads inconsistency confined to those
n. Co. 10
bondman. Even those who profess 60 be labor
ing for the overthrow Of Slavery in our own
land, while thoy earnestly pray that the inesti-
mablc boon of freedom may be secured to all
mankind, feel no hesitation in swearing to sup
port a Constitution that tralnples in the dust the
liberties Of those whom they would elevate.
ain well aware that there nrc few who claim
the Constitution to be And-Slavery in character
Now l will not argue 10 the contrary only beg
leave to put few questions TO those who arc
of this opinion. They, almost without cxccp-
ton, formerly belonged to what was known as
the Liberty Party. This party, all arc aware,
is now swallowed up in the Frecsoil party
Frccsoilism, without doubt, views the Consttu-
ton in pro-slavory light. But as l have met
with few of the old Liberty stamp who think
otherwise, will put to them the following di-
lcmma. 1t is intended for those who believe in
the Anti Slavery character of the Constitution,
and who act with the Freesoilcrs:
Your party either believe the Constitution to
sanction Slavery, or not to sanction it.
If they believe it to sanction Slavery, it is
both wrong and inconsistent for you to act with
them.
If they believe that it does not sanction Sla-
very, then is it equally wrong and inconsistent
for you to declare that you have no power, and
will not interfere with Slavery in the States.
Therefore, in either case, do you involve your
selves in wrong and inconsistency.
Now,r my friends, which horn of this di-
lcmma will you talci If it be not strictly To-
gical, or in any way defective, show wherein the
defect lies. l have frequently put this dilem-
ma, in discussion, and must say that it has ncv-
er, to my mind, been satisfactorily disproved.
1t hos been argued that the Constitution is ST.
lent upon this matter, or in other words, that it
is neither for Slavery nor against it, and there
fore that Slavery is wholly State institution,
with which We cannot interfere. But this is
impossible, for if it be not Constitutional-not
sanctioned by the Consttuton-it must be op-
posed to it, and therefore should not be suffered
to exist and consequently absurd to say that
we have no power to interfere with Slavery in
the States. Yours, as ever,
J. w. NEWPORT.
American Minister 10 pruSSi0,