Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-11-22
State Sovereignty,

If there be such thing as state sovereignty
Il ever it should be employed for the protection
of citizens against the expressions Of the gener-
al government, as administered by the slave
power, the fugitive slave law has furnished that
occasion. This power that wields the govern
ment has at once struck down all national pro-
lection for personal freedom and has thrown
every man upon his individual resources for pro-
lection. More than this the government is
pledged to suppress and punish all individual
rcmonstrance, thus making our condition worse
than the very savages, who arc destitute of all
civil organization. They can defend themselves
and in so doing will only provoke individual re-
vcngc or such combination as individuals may
command. But here. the entire resources Of
the nation, are combined against the individual
who shall dare to defend his universally ac-
knowledgcd right to freedom.
Had the Cows Of our northern states had with
in them anything like the heart or the courage
of manhood, they would on the passage of the
fugitive lew, have at once convened their legis-
laturcs, and taken measures for the protection
of their citizens. Or failing in this, like our
fathers they would have formed new union,
that icoud dnsrr the purposes Of government
by protecting the rights and happiness of its
citizens But instead of this, politicians have
pledged obedience to the law, and whenever OPP
portunity has occurred have exhibited unusual
alacrity in redceming their pledges. AT 6rst
they told us the law was abominable and wicked,
and would be eventually repealed. No,o they
till us the "pcacc" is to be perpetual.
The people of Syracuse, aroused by tho out
RACES in their midst have taken incipicnt mea-
sures to punish those who sought to kidnap
their citizens under cover of Congressional en-
actmcnts. Complaint in due form was entered
before the Grand Jury of their county, who
found true bill against the Missourian Lear,
who appeared as agent for the arrest Of Jerry,
(who it seems is Methodist priest) and his
assistant II. w. Allen, the Deputy Marshal.
If the prosecution and management Of these
trials was in the hands of the people of Syracuse
we should expect to sec this conspiracy against
liberty exposed and punished. But unless New
York officials arc quite singular, they will soon
be found standing horror stncken at their own
temerity, in having dcfed slavery and its sworn
power the federal government.
The truth is VIC can have no horc from gov
crnment, National or State. Its base subservi-
ency in all its departments make it impossible
for us to confdc in it. The people, the source
of their power, must be renovated and aroused.
To them is our appeal. Congress will not re.
peal the law. The people must do it for them
selves in their several localities. Every indivi-
dual must do il for himself. Christiana has re-
pcalcd it. Syracuse has nobly done it. Let
other communities do likewise, and when the
law shall be thus repealed, congress will TER
pu,,ge" it. Then will the days of slavcholding
and slnvecatchins be speedily numbered. State
sovereignty may be inefficient. But this exer-
cisc Of indiUidaal sovereignty will do the work.