Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-12-07
The Government and lis Acts.
MrApvr1lr, Pa. Nov. 9Th. 1885

hhAbNAbLht ANoNs oNht ioOVs
FR1ESD JOHNSON hold that it is not only
our privilege, but our duty, as inhabitants of
this Republic, to examine the proceedings Of
those whom we select to legislatc for us. We
should not feel so disintcrcsted in the welfare Of
our country, both in respect to its prosperity as
nation, and the happiness OF all within its
jurisdiction, as to let pass unheeded, any act
which our representatives may force upon us.
In civil societies every member is morally bound
to use all necessary cxertion TO secure to every
individual, from the highest and most powerful
to the lowest and most dcfcncelcss the full bene-
fit of perfect protection in the enjoyment of his
rights. Neither Of these three propositions,
think, will any one be able to successfully con-
tradict, or willingly to deny. Now the qucs-
tions Immediately follow. First-Have the
doings at the head of government since our ex-
istcnce as an independent nation been sufficient
ly scrutnizcdi Secondly--What measures
have been adopted, and what laws have been
passed Finally-IIow far have We endcavor-
cd to secure 70 every individual his rights -
These arc important questions, and should be
candidly considered by all who claim to be ren-
sonablc, intelligent, and scnticnt boirgs. Now
it is notorious TACT that the South, since .he
first sitting OF Congress, has been continually
carrying out her infamous schemes to pcrpctu-
ate her beloved institution. Have we examin-
cd into this, or have VIC been recrcant to duty 7
The wool has bccn drawn over our eyes, and VIC
have been forbidden to remove it.
,.,k,, ko,o .ro 80 ao, Il, ona,v,r 20 tbo so-
cond question: Contrary to the ordinance of
's7, many slave States have been admitted into
the Union. A foreign State has been dragged
into the Confcderacy to give the balance of pow
CT to propagate the peculiar institution. A
war of conquest has been wagcd against an un-
offending Republic, at an expense Of thousands
of lives, all as precious as our own, and 3 49,
600, 900, and for what To crafty the lusts of
southern planters. The unhallowed war closed
by the purchase of a vast amount of territory
in which the accursci institution of slavery
might be introduced. Through fear that New
Mexico might be a free State. 10000 square
miles of land has been given to Texas, and
$4,000, ,000as compensation for the relinquish-
ment OF another falsely claimed portion otterri-
tory. And lastly comes the passage of the
Fugitive Slave BILL In regard to the iniqui-
ty OF this, challenge the world to produce a
more disgracclul law in amy other nation under
the heavens that claims the least portion Of
civilization. A description of it is unnecessary,
it speaks for itself; child can understand it.
1t has already commenced its damning opera
tions and bighting influences, and VIC feel its
loathsomc touch.
In making this brief review of past lcgisla-
tion, we are not at loss to discover the moral
state of the country, and whether she has inn
proved her morals since she has weaned herself
from her mother country, or is letting them so
to ruin. Ono would naturally suppose that, in
this LEO of improycmcnt in The arts and scion
ccs, nation like this, with so many sdvants-
gcs, would also improve her morals. But has
she done ii Let the facts have enumerated
answer Let the increasing millions of her in
habitants that she has plunged into misery and
wrctchednoss answer. Let virtuo and humani-
ty answer. She has been sinking step by step,
in pollution till tho cup of her iniquity" is
nearly full. One dsgraccful act has paved the
way for another during her political existence,
till she has finally declared humanity to be a
crime worthy of fno and imprisonment. This
is no exaggerated picture of her moral condi-
ton.
But again. How far have VIC cndcavorcd to
secure to every man his rights Have VIC
made any attempts whatever to do thisi AS
supporters of the Constitution of this country
VIC have not. 1t is a palpable contradiction
that we can endcavor to secure to men thcil
rights, and at the same time swear to support
Constitution depriping them of their rights
The only manner in which liberty can be secure
ly enjoyed is, when laws are enacted to that eff
feet. Hence so long as the fundamental law o.
the country sanctions sIarery, SO long liberty il
taken away, and in order TO sustain it this fun.
damental law must be destroyed. But whC
have endcavorcd to do this; Have our Con-
gressmcn attempted it No, but on the con
:, trary they almost adore it, and so do their con
stitucnts. 1t is in vain for people to pretent
that they wish for the abolition of slavery, ant
send men to pass such laws as the South ma.
see fit to forge, and which they dare not oppos
through fear of dissolution. Let dissolution
come. Labor Tor it, it is the only way we cal
make the attempt to secure to men their rights
The past has afforded us abundant lessons tina
slavery is increasing, the South triumphing, an
the North yielding. To put an end to this, dis
solution alone has the power.
Yours till the last, A. ]. BROWN.
-.
The QuEsTIoN.-Henry Clay, in his letter
the Union meeting at Philadelphia, says;
The question before the nation is (it woul