Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-07-19
Ube Antt- 9Iaperp BuaIr.
Executive COMMITTEE meets August Srd
A Sense Of Duty.

lIS power VI lhtc dinOnB tnls cihss VI Oui Cl'i-
zens. Daniel Webster we remember in his ia
nous 7th Of March speech talked about con-
science, and Professor Stuart certified that he
(Webster) had one. And now both political
parties impelled by an irresistible sense of duty,
have conquered their prejudices, become good
citizens in the sense of the fugitive law, and
arc by the power Of conscience able to per-
form an unpleasant duty with alacrity. There
is however between these conscience wings and
democrats disposition manifested to underval-
uo or disparogc each other. To decide the qucs-
ton they appeal to their own acts and declara-
tions aud VIC know of no better criterion.
The Pittsburgh Commercial Journal asks that
its readers will mark the difference between
Pennsylvania Wings and Democrats. It states
the difference as follows. Speaking Of the resc-
lutions passed at the late Wing Convention for
the State, it says:
Our readers will have seen by these resolu-
tions that, foremost Of the fundamental princi-
pies OF the platform lid down at Lancaster is
supremacy OF the Constitution and Laws. A
faithful recognition of the adjustment meas
ures in explicit and manful phrase is pledged in
a separate resolution.
1t is thus seen that the Wings Of Ponnsylva.
MIA take the field on the broad national qyouuds.
They submit to the Fugitive Slave Law IRON
q sense Of duty as good citizens of the Rupublic
and not from any tenderness tow ard slavery or
Shareholders, like our opponents at Reading
Ridiculous as is the proposition to attempt to
find any difference between Wings and Demo-
Gratis on the question of freedom, we have en-
deavored to comply with the request of the Jour
nal, and we must say that taking into account
the justification, sense of duty the democrats
have the advantage, for the sense Of duty is
with them SO strong that they do that with
alacrity which tho wings profess to do reluc-
family and we arc compelled to prefer the
democrats for their zeal.
If we can understand tho resolutions, and the
Journal, the difference between the parties has
no reference to the acts required or performed.
In this they are agreed. Both will obey the fu-
gitive law. Both will stand sentry for the slave
owners,-catch and return every foot. sore
wretch whom they may be ordered to seize.-
The only difference is, that the one docs it from
tenderness to slavery and Shareholders, the 9TH
or from "a sense of duty 'as good citizens
Suppose it even SO, whore is the difference to
The slavei Will he recognize this distinction of
motive, and rejoice in his chains because sent
back to them by a Wing sense of duty rather
than by democratic alacrity. What difference
to the Shareholders He rcgains his slave, his
supremacy is maintained and he can well af-
ford to let his serviles amuso themselves with
the comparative superiority of motive.
There is no difference in the influence of the
acts upon the interests of the country or upon
personal freedom. There is none between the
parties on this great question. Both have agreed
without remonstrance to submit and obey
To sustain their party and elect their presi-
dental candidates both adopt on this subject
the compromise as the embodiment of their
principles, the alpha and omega of their creed.
The Vermont Wing Convention cseerfially ad-
mitted the obligation to obey it as the supreme
law of the land The Democratic State Con-
vention of New Hampshire by the adoption of
the following resolution seems TO have got upon
the Whis platform. 1t too has "a sense of
duty
Resolved, That unconditional obedience to
The constituted htos Of the land is the dty of ere
~ good citizen, to support and defend them is
his highest glory, and nothing else so much as
this can tend to make his country prosperous
and distinguished among the nations.
The Pennsylvania parties are true representa-
tivcs of the same parties throughout the North.
And it is interesting to trace the history of their
progress for the last eight months. At the
time of its passage, with some exceptions, all
was indignation against this law which now they
propose to obey. So soon as the compromise
measures received the sanction of law, discus
sion, which had reignod unrestralned, even by
courtesy and decency, OH the part OF the slave
holders, was at once prohibited to the North.
Southorners threw themselves upon their dig
nifty during the short session, declaring that
peace existed, and it could not be disturbed by
discussion or investigation. But while the fo
rum was struck dumb the tongue of the pulpit
was unloosed. A work was to be done to which
congressman were inadequate, conscience was
to be carried captive and reason perverted, and
the compromise established on the throne of SUI
premacy, asserting that it was God over all in
authority, to the church and people and chal-
enging obedience in the name of patriarchs,
prophets, apostles and even of Jesus himself
The pulpit was successful. Next came the
South with the declaration that no man can be
President, who docs not yield his hearty, un-
finching support to the compromise. Wings
and Democrats accept with alacrity' the con-
dition. Resolve that the compromise embodies
their principles, and borrowing the cant phrase
ology of the church, have the GOODNESS to talk of
obeying the fugitive law as good citizens, and
from sense of duty.
This is the position occupied by all sects of
tho popular religion, and by both controlling
political parties. Daniel Webster, though he
has not the influence that can make him Presi-