Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-04-19
Selections.
ThOmpsOn's DcfcneC of the American A. S,
Society,


[GEoRoE THoMPsoN, while at Lockport,
NY, being called to defend the American
Anti-Slavery Society against certain obiec-
tions presented by one of the speakers, made
the following remarks, which are copied
from the North Star
Mr.. Thompson, who, after expressing the
pleasure he felt at being present, proceeded
TO review the proceedings of tho American
Anti-Slavery Society, from its formation in
1888, down TO the present time. Sixteen
years ago, il was his honor to be appointed
the unpaid agent of that Society. lie had
watched his course through the long interval
that had elapsed since his first connection
with it, and was prepared to affirm that no
Society had ever more faithfully acted up to
its original constitution, or more faithfully
redeemed the pledges with which it begun
its work. Where he left il in 1885, there he
had found it in 1850 All around, were
strewed the wrecks of other organizations,
that in rivalry, competition, or opposition
and hostility, had come into existence; but
there stood the American Snciety-its prin-
ciples the same-its doctrine the same-ils
measures the same-its great and glorious
object still the same-with the same broad,
catholic, unscctarian, worldwide platform
and, thank God! with many of the same
men and women upon il with whom ii had
been his honor aud his glory to suffer in years
pust. Nobly had it fulfilled the promise of
its infancy; and he (Mr. Thompson) bcliev-
ell it was the organization orlaiuc'. to rid
America and the world of the institution of
slavery, then the object of sicllening coutem-
plation. cannot lsaid he) conceive of an
nbolitonist WHO is not, whether lac calls
himself one or not, part and purrcl OF the
American Anti-Snvery Society; for that So
ciety embodies IN its constitution and crerd
whatever makes ahuIiIi0nisn. As well might
a man say, | am Presbyterian, ar Baptist.
or un Episcopalian, or Methodist; hut
am not n Christian. What is Il Il ,pi>t with
out Christianity Aud what is i LlbrrlI
party man, or Il Free SOilrr, or Il Seward
Wing, without tile soul aud sentiments OF an
American Society Ahulitonist: II an hon
est nbotionist at all-if worthy of the name
If he he doing anything on right principles
TO advance the overthrow OF slavery-hc
must of necessity be an Obolitionsl of the
American Anti-Slavery type. As swell might
one say, I'll be man, but | will have but
one arm, or one eye; Or dispense with my
heart, my lungs, or my bmin," as say, I'll
be All abotionist, and he less than what the
constitution of the American Anti Slavery
Society requires me to be-" Tell me what
less you desire TO he in this cause, than what
the Society would have you he, and l will
tell you precisely what you lack to come up
to the standard of genuine aud perfect
nbolitonist.
II is well for us, on an occasion like this,
TO look at the mighty, gigantic aud sublime
work we have set before us. II we would
outgrow our own dwarlish dimensions and
narrow and sectarian prejudices, we should
Spend our time in surveying the stupendous
objects we are seeking 10 achieve. There is
nothing little about this cause, but ourselves.
We are straitened not in the cause, but in
our own bowels. Slavery is grand in itself.
Measure its circumierence-how vast =
Brop the line into this horrible abyss, aud
you will bring it up again exclaiming, " o
the depths ~ Try to sum up its guilt, and
arithmetic, and language, and fancy, will
full you. Take one human heart, aud count
its fibres if you can; then try TO grasp the
aggregate Of three millions of hearts, whose
strings are quiyering while uansfXed with
the poisoned and barbed arrows ofthis thrice
accursed system. Descend into hell--it is
there. Ascend to heaven-it is the subject
of amazement and horror there. Traverse
the North, and see il everywhere there
Mount the pulpit, and you will find it there.
The thunders of Niagara are guiding It's VIC
tins, pursued by the blood seeming hounds
of the South, OH the trial of the flying iugi-
tive. Let us think on these things, and burst
the withs that bind us. "To your tents, oh
israel" This is no time for abolitionists to
be falling out by the way. The only qucs-
ton is, "Who will go up to Ramolh Gilead
to battle ?' The path Of duty is plain
Slavery must and shall be overthrown; and
by us, as portions of the instrunentality de-
manded by the exigencies of the times
Have any come here out of mere curiosity ?
Better for such, thousand times, that they
had stayed at home aye, that they had never
been born, than depart from this house as il
from show of waX-work. Depart now, ere
i tell you your duty; or woe is yours you
remain, and do it not Hear, then, what il
is. The slave is your brother God has
made him SO, aud you cannot, il you would,
repudiate the consanguinity. AS long MS he
is Gods child, he is your brother; for, have
we not all one Father? Hath not one God
created us? He is black, but yonr brother
and you have got to own him and embrace
him here, or his ffown will freeze you in
that day when the disinherited children OF
God shall meet those who cast them out OF