Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-02-15
From Parker Pillsbury.

CoScoRD, N. H., Jan. 3lst, 1851.
DEAR FRIEND JOHNSON AT home for a
few days, am glancing little at the state of
New Hampshire politics. The invinciblc De-
mocracy of this State is just now in a fury of
excitement, on account of the apostacy of their
candidate for Governor, Rev. John Atwood
He has most sadly fallen from party grace. lie
has proved himself (as did Martin Van Buren,
and John p. IIolc,) a slight exception to the IA
voritc doctrine Of the Calvinists-total deprav-
ity, and the penalty is ever death. Democracy
and dcprdvity had come to be pretty nearly sy-
nonymous terms, and indeed. believe the
Wing clcrgymen hercabouts, sometimes consid-
cred the Democratic party as a most conclusive
argument in support OF this important ard com
plimcntary article in the Calvinistic creed, and
often urged it with most convincing power
But Mr.. Atwood has most alarmingly broken
the party faith. lie has so far forgotten its
primitive, barefootcd and sans cuiionc simphci-
ty, as to indulge himself in that most aristocrat-
ic luxury, CONSCIENCE And not satisfied with
its possession alone, he must needs make dis
play of it-must even brush and cleanse it up,
until it was in absolute danger of becoming
"void of offence towards God and man."
That is to say, being asked his views of slave
ry and the late Fugitive Slave Law, he said in a
published letter ~ trust have learned so
much of the Gospel of the Son of God, that
wherever an individual of the human race is
found, look upon that person as my brother,
without regard to his national origin" Did
you ever read anything more anti Democratic
than that Do you wonder that his party arc
now thirsting for his bloodi
And then the Fugitive Law he declares to be,
Il give you his exact words,) unconstitutional,
oppressive, and liable to be perverted to the en-
slavemcnt of free citizens" and moreover, as
"imposing duties and services upon the citi-
zens Of the FREQ States. which neither consci-
once nor the constitution require ut their
hands -" and finally he says without conceal
ment or compromise, 3" shall, whatever station
may occupy, favor all proper. peaceful and
constitutional measures for its repeal or essen
tial modification"
Such were the sentiments and sins Of the ia
clarcd it "thc sin unto DEATH" the "blasphcmy
that hath never forgiveness !" and the late Edi-
tor of the Washington Union, Edmund Burke,
has pronounced the dread anathcma, Let him
sink into that contempt and disgrace ,ohich his
conduct SO richly merits his name no long
er appears in the Democratic journals generally,
as the candidate of the party.
Unfortunately for Atwood, he was at first in
duccd to sign and publish letter of recanta-
ton. But he has repented of that, as sincerely
as did the English martyr who. when brought
to the stake, first thrust his hand into the fame
and held it till it was burned off, exclaiming,
"this wicked hand mas offended"
For holding and expressing such opinions,
John Atwood, respectable Baptist Clergyman
and upright citizen, is doomed to suffer political
martydom Mt the hands of the Democratic par
iy of New Hampshire.
But we did not need this revelation to unlock
tho secrets of its corruption. Like the Wing
party of Massachusetts,, it fancies it was born
to rule, and wo to whoever dared to dispute its
dread authority / wish either of the other
parties, or both of them, had grace or goodness
enough to serve the present crisis and hurl the
demon of Democracy from its blood-stained
throne. But never have grapes yet been gath
cred from thorns, nor figs from thistles.
All political parties arc alike under the wrath
and curse of the constitutional compromises,
and are so made liable for all the mscries of
slavery, the guilt of the stakeholder, and what
ever pains and penalties may flow from them.
I never felt before with Cowper, how pleasant it
is to peep through the loop hole of retreat, and
gaze at the unsuccessful struggles of party con-
tending with party, and yet both in the same
condemnation. Freesoil says, we will sup
port the Constitution, the Union, the Laws,
slavery, war, murder, anything, everything so
long as it is the voice of the majority. Chain
cd like Prometheus to the rock of the Consti-
tuition, the compromises, like the vulture, arc
ever prcying upon their vitals, and their strug-
giles are vain. Thus bound, their very prayers
become sin.
In my last 1 promised to report any progress
the Legislature of Massachusetts, might make
in the choice of Senator to Congress. This can
thus far be easily done. Mr.. Sumner is not, and
probably will not be elected. Yesterday Robert
Rantoul, Democrat rank, was chosen for tho
short term, but that is now reduced to the
short month Of February; and as he is of in
Minnesota, it is doubtful whether it amounts to
anything but mere formality-snd the party
will hardly think they owe the Frcesoilcrs much
for such an achievement. The officers that
have bssp chosen thus Ear, BY means Of the