Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-07-19
T III L B u G l. E
Columbus Correspondence.

COLUMNS, July D, 1901.
Mn. ROBINSON: Dear Sir,-According t,
promise, set down to write few lines for you
valuable paper; but did not feel that variet!
added something to the interest of a sheet
should expect to do little good by taking up tht
room that other matter might occupy to mucl
greater profit To tell the truth, only Intend
to write gosspng letter and such, you know
are only good for condiments.
And first let me tell you about "tho glorious
4th." seldom enter into the spirit that l sec
manifested around me, but rather sit apart and
feel, as think of my country,
o, could sing of thee,
Could shout exultingly
If truth were thine
Heaven boon to all were given,
Chains from each hand wero rivcn--
And none were foully driven,
From Freedoms shrine.
But while our banner waves
In mockcry ocr slaves,
Crushing Gods Sons,
blush and turn away
From all this glad display
Such giddy JOY this day,
My soul disowns.
sit and mourn for them
Who by the lash arc driven
~ To unpaid toll -
Who spread the banquet fair
Which they may never share
But chains and stripes must bear
And weary wall.
1t is such mockcry to call ourselves free,
when one out Of every six in the nation bows
down to the most humiliating, degrading bond
age, that it is to me a day to sit in sackcloth
rather than to rejoice.
But pleasantcr thoughts were called up by
the associations of the morning l had been
invited, with several Others to attend the cole
brution at the Lunatic Asylum. Tho choir
from Blind Asylum had been invited to be
present to add to the interest of the occasion.
At the appointed time all the lunatcs that could
be safely conducted from the halls, were seated
in the chapel, and then the guests and the choir
were invited in. The exercises were opened by
an appropriate prayer, followed by spirited
piece of instrumental music from the choir.
Samuel Galloway former Secretary of State,
then gave a brief, but most appropriate address,
one of the finest to which it has ever been my
pleasure to listen because it contained no bonn
bast, no extravaganza. 1t was simple, but
beautiful and truthful. Then rose on the air
the rich sweet tones of those pale sghtless ones,
chanting the song 80 be joyful in the Lord,
Il, f,
listen to such rich outpouring of soul from
those who must all their lives gropc their way
in darkness, and to feel that to the true spirit of
Rcpublicanism, carried out according to the
high design of christianity, this rich soul culture
was to be attributed, produced sensation Of
humble gratitude and led to the earnest prayer
"Pcrfect, o Lord, the work which thou hast
begun, and let not only the blind sec, but those
that are in the prison house of our land be set
free"
Prof. Smith, superintendent of tho Iunatic
Asylum, then read the Declaration of Indepen-
dance Never before have heard it so read.-
would that all might listen to such reading
of this memorable document; it would speak
more for human freedom than all the orations
uttered on that day.
Several appropriate pieces of music were per-
formed in the most admirable manner, inter-
spersed with some brief remarks from individu-
ais present. The idea of bringing together, on
such an occasion, these classes of unfortunate
ones to minister to each others happiness, was
most beautiful, and seemed to be fully appre-
cited by the Lunatics. Not single word or
deed would have told you that they were not
among the most sane people in the land.
The former superintendent did great work in
carrying out SO fully the designs of the State
and really wore himself out in tho service. To
him be all the honor that is due. We are glad,
however, to sec his place so happily filed by tho
present incumbent. He is trying to improve
upon every favorable suggestion, and has sue
ceeded, thus far, beyond the hopes of the most
sanguine. We were delighted with many
plans suggested for improvement particularly
with that of furnishing more employment to
those that can possibly be trusted with implc-
ments Of labor.