Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-12-20
Letter from Harriet N. TOrrey,
PARkaAN, o., Dec. Q, 1851.

Mn. ROBINSON: If my memory serves me
right, il is somewhere about two years since
| have written anything for the Bugle. !
have been wanting, for long time, to have
talk with my old Anti-Slnvery friends, than
whom none are more warm hearted aud
true; aud, as the spirit now moves, l viii
cheeriully obey its prompting, and not grieve
1t away, as in days past. They have ofien
taken me to their homes when they knew
me only as an uncompromising abolIionist (;
or, as friend expresses it, Gas woman
what talks right out in meeting just as If she
had perfect right TO do So" And whatever
misgivings may have had, before entering
their homes, as to the manner of my recep-
ton, they have always all vanishad away;
and as became assured of cordial well
come, quiet home feeling would creep over
me, which only those who have wandered
somewhat over the world, and experienced
some OF the rcycrses which must follow the
variations of is climate, can fully appreciate.
have never been rudely Interrupted when
speaking, but once and that was by har-
dened, hopeless conservative, whose ignor-
nncc placed him, beneath the standard of
accountability. While aiming to give full
and free expression to my own unmtigated
hatred of slavery, and urging the adoption
of what we conceive to be the right proper
and available measures for its overthrow, j
never reprcssed bitter sarcasm when it cal
ed for utterance, never hesitatcd TO assail
our political opponents with ridcule, os well
as reason, aud took especial panes to throw
aside the veil which covers the corruptons
of the American Church, and TO draw its
picture in its true postion-as the Chief bull
wark of American chattel slavery. Yet poll
tcians, however turbulent aud JedriSh they
may be when women are excluded from
among them. have uniformly treated me with
respect, even when they have caught mo III
the very act of taking possession of rights
aud prerogatvcs the sole possession of
which has been assigned to themselves, by
the consent of almost all concerned, from
time immortal while the most logical de-
Tenders of the equivocal christianity of the
American Churches, with but one exception,
have held their Indignation in close captivity
between their compressed lips, Or suffered it
to evaporate in harmless, ecclesiastical scowls
and sighs. Others have been less fortunate.
And it may be that am indebted to those
visible signs of physical weakness which
have long clung TO me MS tcnacously MS my
shadow for this magnnnimous iorbearance
from faces, as well as unremitting kindness
from friends. However, he this as il may,
if was to build an opinion upon my own
experience, should say, women will be
treated with more genuine respect when
they emerge into the possession and enjoy
ment of all their social and political rights
aud prerogatives than they now are. So
long as they remain in state of social and
political suhjugation, they will be insulted,
outraged and oppressed; for suhjugated par
ties must do the bidding of their suhjugaiors.
They are not regarded rs having right to
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" ;
but they can have the privilege Of living, or
rather of vegetating upon Gods green, beau-
iilhl earth if they will stihe every budding
germ of intellect, and live merely to contri-
butte to the interest, convenience or happi-
ness of others. The position in which men
stand towards women is singularIy arbitrary
and unnatural and many of them seem to be
well aware of il. Like the hereditary slave
holder, their situation 10 the result OF acci-
dent, rather than choice; and they are invol'
we'd in such complicated network Of Gus,
toms and laws that they can hardly work
out their own emancipation in an age, mucl
less ours. They elicit our pity MS much a'
they deserve our censure. Let us give then
credit for their good Intentions; and thanh
them for evincing disposition TO surrender
up what legi,imately belongs to us-wher
they cannot withhold it any longer 1t i
even thus. Those who spread nets in whicl
to catch others, eventually get caught them
selves. 1t was not my intention TO meddl'
with the Z" ",cOman question when commen
ced this letter; and it IL so long already tha
must leave unsaid most everything that
wanted to say. But, never mind friend
health permitting, we will have another tall
some day; that is, if Mr.. Robinson don
shake his mead at us, and command silence
Believe me thine for the suhjugated, bu
my own for the subjugators.
HARRIET N. TORREY,