Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-02-01
Gelttttons.
The Anti-Slavcry Platform.


THE Platform Of the American Anti Slavery
Society and its Misunderstanding the West
ern Society. of which The Dugle is the organ
was never more admirably defined than in the
following paragraphs, which form the conclu-
sion Of the Report of the Seventeenth National
Anti-slavery Bazaar. The report was penncd
by ANNE WARRRS WESTON, a woman Of rare
intellectual endowmcnts and great moral WORTH
though less widely known than her gifted and
accomplished sister, Maria w. Chapman
Though a strong Calvinist in her religious opin-
ions, yet such is ler devotion to the cause of
the slave, and such the catholicity Of her spirit
that she is willing to labor for his redemption
sidc by side with any human being, whatever
may be his creed. This exposition OF the rela-
tons of the cause to the religious opinions Of
Its members was needed not in Great Britain
alone but in this country, and will serve to cor
rect the confused ideas OF some we'll meaning
Abo!itionists and dissipatc the prejudiccs Of
some honest opponents of the causc.--1
Da1ie.l
Before closing, we feel il is not an insult
that may connect themselves with cur future
success. How long it may be our duty to
hold this Bhzaar, we cannot say but, while
we do 50, we would, as far as il may be in
our power, preserve lis usefulness, by the
removal of any nilsapprehension that may
arise in regard to its purposes or the dlepo-
sition of it's funds. We are toh that, among
SONS Of our friends ia Great Britain, an anx-
isty exists in regard 10 heretcai opinions ia
religion said TO bs entertained by the Anieri-
can Auti-Slayery Society, its periodicals,
agents, or leading influences; that some per-
SONS have ceased tlicir lnbors for the Bazaar,
fearing that it's proceeds would be applied to
the circulation of iufdei opinions How
FAR such anyieiies and fears are attributable
20 the statenicuin oftte pro-slavery churches
Of this country and their abeitors, we cannot
now stop 10 inquire. We will state, once
for all, the position Of the American Anti
Slavery Society, with entire sincerity, aud
with such ciearness as may be in our
power.
Ths American Anti-Savcry Society is
based on the doctrine of the sinfuness of
slavery under all circumstances, and the
conseque' nAc>Ity of immediate and uncon-
ditional emancipation. Any person, not a
stakeholder, holding these sentiments, may
join it. III regard to theological opinions or
religious obscrvances, il utters no voice
whatever; and touching these matters, u!l
its members are free to hold or pro,nulgate
whatever doctrine tfey may see fits that they
do not Tor tiIis puTp )se make nse OF the plat
form or inStrunicnulities Of the Ac;i-Slaye-
~ Society, This Society holds large public
meetings, where the fullest discussion of
slavery, in all its bearings, is permitted
Shareholders und pro-slavcTy men of all
sscts nnd parties are freely allowed to enlIn-
ciate and defend their opinions IN the fullest
manner,-suhcct, ot course, To the ordinary
rules of debate, and with tho understanding
that the arguments brouglt forward may be
cOnirovened in any manner that the ildi, id
uhl abo!tionist undertaking 10 reply shall
Judge best. In a country where complete
suffrage obtails in the State, and the yolun-
tary principle in the Church, this would
seem TO be the most satisfactory way of car
rying forward opinions whose final decision
rests with The people. The measure Of sue
cess that we have secured proves the wisdom
of this course.
But il is its necessary consequence, that the
most clashing and Heterogeneous opinions
touching politics, morals and religion must
occasionally and incidentally he introduced.
The Society invites all men TO lis platform on
equal terms, Christian und lnhdel, Wing and
Democrat, male anu IeNlnle, nOh-reslstuht
and warrior, native and foreigner. Should
il marvel or object, if each individual speak
in his own language, that which his own So
ciul condition, every day associations and
mental habits have made natural and appro-
prinie, indeed Indispensable to any full and
genuine expression of his real mind? 1t
might as well object that Frenchnan spoke
French, or Russian Russ. 1t is the great
blessing and crowning glory of the anli-slay-
cry cause, that it can summon the whole
world TO It's help; but il is idle TO suppose
that those who obey its call can or will lny
aside the diversilios of race, condition aud
creed, that obtain tho world over. All that
we now claim is, that each man come in sin
cerity with an eurnest desire TO abolish slav-
cry by such means as TO him seem appropri-
etc. Ii il be the object of any ono to adj
vance his own opinions on other subjects,
TO make the interest OF the slave subsidiary
TO anything else, then do we pronounce the
sbolitioBism Of such an one defective, aud
his moral principle unsound. Doubt not
that the general current Of public feeling
will prevent any special injury from this
source. Where real love for and solfsac-
xifice in behalf Of the cause exist, il is diff
tulssOpnsks = very serious mistaks