Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-12-07
The w,apons Of n, Refprmtr.


Fn1KED oLrER 1T is very pleasing to know
that opposition to the Fugitive Law is so gcner-
al, and that almost the entire North is willing
to condemn 1t as inhuman, strocious, and des-
perately wicked but the friends Of the slave
should look well to the end they have in view,
and not by any excess Of zeal impede the pro-
gress Of the cause. Itmust be evident to every
rejecting abolitonist tnat no benefit to the
slave can accrue by cultvating the war spirit.
II Is the spirit Of war that prevents the fet-
tcrs from falling of the slaves this day. What
could Nom Resistant do towards holding his
fellow men in bondage, provided he should
even have the dcsirei
1t cannot be too much to say that warriors al
ways did and always will cnslave people in some
shape or other, simply because men naturally
differ in opinion about justice, and each one
in endeavoring to award justice to the other
will be certain to oppress the weaker. Some
men think that others are so contrary and wick
ed that II is nothing but justice that they should
be made to labor without wages. and nothing
but power is needed to force them to do it,
The main dependence for abolitionists is to de-
stroy the spirit of war, and to do this VIC should
cease to appeal to the passions of men in any
way. II seems to me that about the strongest
resolution needed is this: Resolved, That we
will treat all men flying from bondage just as we
would like to be treated under similar circum-
stance.
have been surprised to hear so little said in
opposition to the spirit Of war in the meetings
got up to oppose the Fugitive Law; it would
seem that Non-Rcsstants have laid aside their
principles instead of infusng them into the
minds OF the multitude. Any thing that is best
calculated to advance the cause of the slave il
legitimate on the anti-slavery platform.
must say to our abolition friends who vote
that 1t is supremely inconsistent for them to
strive to have laws enacted according to their own
tastes, and falling to accomplish that, refuse to
acknowledge their binding force; it puts me in
mind of spoiled children that must have their
own way under all circumstances.
1t is impossible for me to see the consistency
of persons that believe in the propriCty of ma
joritics ruling, and still refuse to acknowledge
tho authority Of law that docs not suit them ;
however, consistency is jewel that few men
possess Moral reformers sometimes depart us
widely as any body else, by sometimes appeal
ing to the morals of men, and perhaps the same
day arousing their passions to the highest pitch,
and thereby keeping their cause shout station
ary. II would be well for abolitioni,ts to in
quirc when about to address an audience, what
faculties Of the mind am about to appeal to
and If to sense of justice, reason, or bcncvo-
lencs, they may be assured their object will be
promoted; but if to any of tho passions, they
had better give it up until they get better pre-.
pared. Even the slave could secure his free.
dom, were he to be firm, decided, and constant
in his appeals to his pretended master, ant
steadily refuse to work without wages, at tn,
same time offering no resistance, except steadil,
adhdFing to principle and manifesting the bcs
fcclifgs toward his opprcssor.
This course might require some suffering
but not one half as much as would be the result
OF violence.
1t would seem that the temptation to use vio-
lcnee would be as great in case of kidnapping
as any that could be imagined; but one true
blue Nom Resistant can do more to advance the
cause than thousand warriors.
Thy Friend and Brother,
MICAJAH T. JOHNSON.
Short Greek, Harrison Co., llth No., 25th, so.
N. d. In No. IL of the Practical Christian
thee may see that have complied with thy re =
quest through The Bugle. NJ. 7. J.