Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-11-15
T II E B U G lie. :.
Letter from Joseph Barker.

October, goth. 1851.
DEAR FRiEND am almost ashamed of my
self when think how have delayed to an
swer your kind letter. But the truth is,
wrote you an answer as sJon as got The Bu-
gle, and intended to send it off by the first Post
but it got lost amidst the hurry and confusion
of removing from ono house to another, and |
never was able to find it again, till few days
ago.
should have been glad to have been present
at your meeting but about the time it was
held, lady that came with Us from England,
was nearly killed by fall from horse, and |
found it impossible, in consequence, to leave
home. l hope, however, to be present with
you at your next Anniversary.
We are still exceedingly busy, cndcavorins
to provide for ourselves a comfortable home, for
the coming winter. l hope, however, to bc at
liberty to attend the Anti. slavery Bazaar at
Boston, during the approaching Christmas as
well as to lecture little on my way to Boston,
and back.
You will be glad to hear that We, l and ny
family arc all in good health. We arc, in fact,
both healthier and stronger than We were in
England For myself feel myself stronger
and healthier than have been for years. If
continue to improve as l have done, since l
came to this country, shall soon be able to re-
sumo my laborcrs as a lecturer and writer
shall, in that case, send you contribution loy
The Busle occasionally.
1 feel difficulty, at present, in wridngon tho
subject of slavery. It is not that feel any
doubt as % the evil Of slavery, or the necessity
of its speedy abolition nor is 1t that find my
self unable to give statement of my views on
these subjects; but because am unable to free
myself from the impression, that in addressing
the readers Of The Buglc, 1 should be address
sing people as we'll acquainted with these mat
ters as myself In addressing persons who
have not studied the subject Of slavery, or who
set themselves to oppose its abolition, should
feel myself at home; but in addressing persons
who already understand tho subject, and who
were as eager for tho abolition of the evil as
myself, l shoald feel exceedingly awkward.
may, however say, that shall always, /
believe, be glad to work with YOU in the cause
of freedom and humanity, wherever l can work
to advantage. Let me have an opportunity Of
standing with you on public platform, and ad-
dressing people that l can believe myself able
to instruct or benefit, and you will find me, l
imagine, excepting myself to the full extent OF
my ability. l abhor slavery of every kind, and
long most eagerly for its utter and eternal an
inhalation. could never be a slave ysclt, and
ii oII ,icr 20, bo l.,
could prevent IT, Ii iCere a slave, should
think it hard if my brethren refused or ncglcc-
ted to labor for my emancipation; and as justly
might tho American slave think it hard, ii Ire
fused or neglected to exert myself for his oman
cipation
Besides it is plain 10 me- that the cnslayo
ment of one, is the curtailmcnt or diminution o
the liberty and happiness of all. The cnsiave
ment of the colored population Of the South
diminishes the liberty Of the whites at TN
North. According to &c Fugitive Slave Law
am not allowed to give food to the huugr,
fugitive or to protect him from his inhuma'
pursuers. According to the fugitive slave law
Imust risk my life, to assist the kidnoppor o
Snan-hunter TO seize and return 10 bondage tn
fugitive; on pain of fine, imprisonment, G
death. In the South 1 should be still wors
hampered There must be gagged mu!
neither speak, nor act, nor look as my faith an
feelings would prompt me. And thus it mus
continue, ii slavery continue. Slavery mus
either spread or perish. The slavery OF ii
South must either annihilate the liberties OF Il
North, or the liberties of the North must ami
hilatc the Slavery of the South. am bound
labor for the emancipation of the slave in ordt
to secure and protect my own liberties
working for the slave, l am working for myself
in neglecting the slave, should be neslectir
or betraying myself
may add, that do not trouble myself aoo'
the peculiar opinions Of American abohtioniSt
1t matters little to me what their views OF the
logy or politics may be- if they arc really yea
Gus for the emancipation of the slave. CT
work with them with pleasure. Some may r
gard the Bible as the advocate OF slavery, al
others may regard it as the friend of ireedol
Some may regard the Bible as the word OF 20