Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-06-07
NO. 80.
Dir. Sumner,

thus marking nCr ulSaIrODauOn OF MS tTulloIOuS
course, is an event worthyof shouts Of joy. We
must however confess, we have small hopo of
any marked results from this event Our doubts
of what Mr.. Sumner may achieve for freedom,
arise not from the character Of the man But
from tho history of the past-from the charac
ter of the position he is called to occupy, and
the opinions he must entertain as an indispen-
sable qualification for the position.
With the exception of the American pulpit,
we know of no position so conservative in its
influence as the American Senate. None so
parolizing upon all the noble impulses Of man
hood. Look at the human wrecks who have
long occupied senatorial chairs. Cass, Clay and
Webster were men once. Their reputation was
not uncarncd What they are now, their
deeds may indicate, but we have no words to
tell. We hopo Mr.. s. may prove himself q
moral Saul, head and shoulders, above his asso-
ciatos. Incapable of dcgcncracy. Should this
be so, he has chosen an unfortunate position for
the exercise Of his great moral power. 1t is
mistake to suppose that Congrossmcn and Sem
ators mako the laws. They but write out tho
sentiments and wishes of the pcoplo-or rather
of the minds who give opinions and guidance to
the masses. Common mcdiocrity can do this
drudgcry and It should be left to it as its appro-
pirate work, while manhood is so scarce. Such
power as Mr.. Samner is rcputcJ to possess
should be employed in developing the laws that
should control society and engraving them upon
the heart of the people as upon a tablet, pre-
paratory to their transcription to the statute
books Of the nation. Tho Senate is not the
place to which we look for tlis influence
Could he come in contact with tho heart of
the naton-learn It's difficulties and the cause
of its darkness he would scatter both with
the light and power of truth. Ho would re-
tain his individuality and unbranded by
constitution or party, his heart would dictate
words Of power for the regeneration Of the
nation. All he can do in congress is to pro-
mulgc the truth-excrt his moral powcr-nono
expect his election will effect any legislation FOR
freedom. We have good reason to expect that
the influences which soround him as Senator,
will induce him to ncutralzc the truth he may
utter, by consession. Concessions If not to
Whigery, at least to the Constitution and tho
Union. To mako concession to these, TO ac-
knowledge their suprcmacy is to mako con-
sessions to slavery. Tho union and slavery are
the twin idols Of tho nation. 1ruc their relative
position is reversed at different ends of the Un-
ion. The South venerates and supports the
union that she may continue slavery. The
North offers her homage and support to slave
ry that she may continue the union. This is
in fact the only difference between the North and
South. Whichever is put us the ultimate, both
arc dcslgncdly and cllcctually sustained. Our
past experience and present prospects seem to
say they arc insoparablc. Already, indeed has
Mr.. Sumner made these humiliating concessions.
Read the following extract from his letter of
acceptance 20 tho Massachusetts Legislature:
Acknowledging the right of my country TO
the service OF her sons wherever she chooses to
place them, and with heart full Of gratitude
that a sacred cause has been permitted 10 tri-
umph through me, now accept the post Of
Senator.
al accept it as the servant Of Massachusetts,; /;
mindful of tho sentiments solcmnly uttered 10y
her successive Legislatures; Of the genius which
inspires her history; and of the men, her per-
petual pride and ornament, who breathcd into
her the breath of liberty which carly made her
an example to her sister States. In such a ser
vice, the way, though new to my footsteps, will
be illuminod by lights which cannot be missed.
al accept it as the servant OF the Union (;
bound to study and maintain with equal patriot
ic care the interests Of all parts Of our country
to discountenance every effort to loosen any of
those ties by which our fellowship Of States is
held in fratcrnal company; and to oppose all
SectionaliSDl, whether it appear in unconstitu-
tional efforts by the North to carry so great a
boon as freedom into the slave States or in un-
constitutional efforts by the South, aided by
q. D -
slavery into the free States; or in whatsoever
efforts it may make to extend the sectional do
minion of slavery over the National Govern
ment. JVith me the Union is tiCic3- blessed first
as the poloeytia guardian Of Me repose aud haPpi-
ness of Mirty-Ono SOrereigR States, clasped by tho
endcaring name of country; and next, as tho
model and beginning of that all embracing fed
Grafton of States, by which unity, peace, anc
concord will finally be organized among the ma
tions. Nor do believe it possible, whatever
may be the delusion of the hour, that any par
thereof can be permanently lost from its well
compacted bulk. 4 PhWi6US UnuDi is stamped
upon the national coin, the national territory
and the national heart. Though composed o
many parts united into one, the Union is sopar
able only by a crash which shall destroy thu
whole
Can Mr.. Sumner really believe what his Ian
guage clearly intimates. That he is maintain
ing the interests of all parts of the country, by
Opposing..that 'sectionalism which is unconstitu
tional carrying the great boon of freedom to thu
slave States Granting the truth of the inpli
ed charge; that the efforts against slavery ar,
unconstitutional freedom is "great boon,
but the Constitution, greater one. Freedom
must be limited by the Constitution. SLAYER!
is safe with all its bloody onormties, if it cai
but take refugcunder its protecting wings. Mr.
Sumner at the call of his country takes his plac
in the Senate, and with great impartiality beat
back alike freedom and slavery within tho lin
its prescribed by the Constitution. His ospccia
business is with "cqual patriotic care" to sup
press the aggressions of slavory-on tho on