Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-08-30
SECOND DAY.

AZ half past nine o'clock, TRUMAN CASE took
the Chair. A thrilling Anti-Slavery song, was
sung by the Hoghtons, followed by discus
sion in regard to the principles and objects Of
the Society, and our duty as individuals in re-
lation to Fugitive Slaves. I. Baker. VIII.
Brisbane, T. Case, Sojourner Truth, Jane Tres
colt, Ann Clark, John Smith and others parri-
cipated.
NJ. r. Robinson, then read tho Annual Re-
port of the Executive Committee, as follows;
ANNUAL REPORT.
Nine years have passed since the organization
of our society, and although much has been
done, our great OBJECT is yet unattained. The
slave still tolls and groans-the mass Of our
people are on this subject the victims of selfish
ness and prejudice-thc national government
still mocks at freedom, and the popular church
still "loveth and maketh lie.''
At the time of our last Annual Meeting the
President and Congress of the United States
were engaged in consumating that law, which
has since been the theme of indignant comment,
by the philanthropic of all lands, law, which
Furnishes with pains and penalties a compliance
with the most common dictates of humanity.
1t is true that atrocious as is this law, no new
principle of humanity is by it outraged in the
person Of the slave. No new service in kind,
| is required at the hands Of Northern slavehold-
ers. Ever since the organization of the gov
ernment it has by contract, taken the response
bilty of standing sentry for the slave owners.
Always in recognition of that responsibility has
she exhibited alacrity in seeking and returning
any who might have eluded her vigilance
Personal liberty had long in fact been held only
by the tsnuere of complexion or pedigree. BY
this enactment the whole nation stood up before
the world-and transferred to the slave oligarchy,
by due forms of law-all rights of conscience,
and all protection for personal freedom.
The boldness and effrontry of this enactment
alarmed the fears of many who had ever before
refused to listen to the warnings of friends
or the threats of foes. There was aroused IN
many parts of the community an appearance Of
general indignation and determination to resist
its requirements. But notwithstanding this
| SpuSulOulO thoIt Ol tlle COMMUNICATIONS
experience Of northern servility, had prepared
the friends of freedom to expect submission to
this most degrading and infamous of any pre-
vious legislation. Long continued support Of
slavery has so famaliarized our countrymen
with its enormitics, that the generous impulses
of their natures, which revolt at its injustice
are paralizcd, and we can hardly hope to see
them again effective, unless stimulated by the
cooperation Of their fears and their interests.
These are at present mainly on the side Of
savery-and have been employed most effectu-
ally to quiet the agitation which the fugitive
slave-law had generated. So that now in the
language of the New York Tribune, the repeal
of the law is not to be expected, as there is no
powerful party demanding it, 1t is law-and
is like to remain law-and though wicked and
unjust as lao it must be obeyed. This is the
language of the nation. God is dethroned, and
hamanity made secondary to the constitution
and congressional enactments.
The struggle of abolitiOnists the past year ha.
been vigorous and determined. II has beer