Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-04-12
ThOmpsOn's Speech at Auburn, N. Y.

The most prominent feature in the grent
struggle which eventuated in the overthrow
of the African slave trade and the extinction
of slavery, was the truly Christian character
of tie conflict. Christian in its ORIGIN, IN
its moiires, in its machinery, in its ireapons, D
lis agents, in its triumph.
1t was Christian principle, and convicl
ton of Christian duty, which led the Qua
kers of olden days 10 break the yoke OF
bondage from the necks OF their slaves. All
| honor TO them for the deed Would that the
mantles Of the Says, the Sandiiords, tho
Baeses, the Woomans, the Benezets, the
llickscs, the Scotts the Witberalds, and tho
! Savages had descended upon their childrent
IL was Christian principle which guided
that great man, Granville SHARP, to those
conclusions, which, with his own masterly
pen, he spread before the world
II was Christian principle which moved,
animated, sustained und guided tile immortal
CLARKsoN all through his labors Of sixty
three years, aud cheeied him at the close
with the prospect of rest in the realms of
liberty and love, where the great Redeemer
waits TO embrace the friends of the fugitive
slave.
Ii was Christian principle that led VIII
BERFoRcE to cOIsecrate his matcbless elo-
qIence TO the sacred cause of human rights.
Wllberlorce was devout student of tho
Bible. lie was a man of prayer. lie went
from his knees, aud from communion with
his God, TO the Senate house, TO plead tho
cause of the millions Of Africa.
II was Christian principle, in lis influence
upon the conscicnces OF the people Of Great
Britain, which led them TO gropple with tho
sordd and cruel spirit prevalent in the conf
mercial and marine cities OF my country,
| and Moloch.
1t was the hand of n Christian which
swept the Tyre when CowPER sung of the
wrongs of the slave-wben Roscoe poured
his hallowed lays upon the breeze, aud
MONTGOMERY carried his entranccd readers
TO the
-" Isles Of the orange and lime,
Where bland arc the brcczes, delightful tho
Cline"
II was Christianity that fed ihe holy fame
of zeal and sympathy that finally, in its con-
centrated fewor, consumed the scourges und
fetters of inhumnn oppression.
II was Christianity that opened to me for
years the temples of Great Britain, whether
the worshippers in those temples were tho
followers OF Fox, of Wesley, of Whitfield of
Calvin, of Fuller, or of Knox.
And when, at last, the hour struck that
saw the night of slavery end, aud the golden
sunlight of freedom dawn upon the islands
of the west, it was Christian people thai
crowded the halls and churches of the faith
er-lund, to thank God that great curse had
been removed-a great crime abandoned
aud great blessing bestowed upon hui
maniiy.
What, then, can Christian England think
of slave-holding America? II is not simply
nstonishment, il is absolute horror that takes
hold of the enlightened Christian, when he
looks over the Atlantic and surveys the hugo
fabric of slavery here, guarded by the nomi-
nal professors and ministers of Jesus Christ!
The church denies the Bible to the slave,
and cares more for the gold ingots which the
rich man piles on the altar than for the souls
of the millions who are perishing in chains.
Had come here as friend of slavery, had
been received into the best society. The
merchant would have Invited me 20 his
princely mansion, and should have been a
guest at his table; for from the wealthy and
great ofmy own land, / could have brought
the letters of introduction which would have
made me the welcome guest Of the merchant
prince, the scheming politician, or the hire
ling priest. lfI had been the friend of slave
ry even Henry Clay would not have hesita-
ted TO give me chair on the floor of the U.
>. Senate chamber. But hate oppression
and therefore the oppressors, and the depend
ants aud retainers of oppression, from the
member of Congress down or up to the venul
scribbling editor of Hunker newspaper, all
with one consent hate me.
came not here us the enemy Of America.
l love her. love her clear skies, her mag
nifcent rivers, her vast forests, her wide
prairies, her lofty mountains. ! hate moth
ing IN America but slavery, and that is not an
institution which belongs TO such glorious
country. Such country aud such peo-
pie should not be linked TO such a curse, or
cherish within their bosom such a source Of
degradation aud wo.
have right to speak on all questions
which have aught TO do with the welfare Of
the race, for am man, and the slave Is my
brother man and when sec him uampled
down, shall speak for him, and in doing so.
l recognize no color, no prejudice. heed
no legislative edicts or geographical lines.
1t is enough for mo to know that he is crush
ed beneath the heel Of ths oppressor, and
that am bound 10 sneak for him, and dc@e