Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-12-25
THE ANTI-SLAVERY BUGLE.

moral and pohteal, (eVen slavery lIseu,) nave
4 been removed without direct political action
Witness the numerous iniqitous laws that
stand upon the statute books of various coun-
tries but which mover are and never can be exc
cutcd. We are among those willing to employ
every rightful instrumentality. Let it be re-
membercd that our objection in not to voting,
but to voting under such circumstances as to give
direct support to the evil we would remove, or
to hinder the efficacy of other instrumentalites.
We do not sec as clearly as Mr.. Douglass, the
{" fallacy of our position" from the point he
desirnatcs lie says, take two men otherwise
coual, the one a voter, the other non-votcr,
and where is the moral superiority of the latter
We answer, that depends upon the character of
his vote. II the vote cast be in conflict with the
preaching Of the voter the latter has the supe-
rior position for influence. For however little
men practice consistency, they are ever ready
TO seize upon its opposite, to shield themselves
from the shafts Of truth.
The real practical question, however, is not
whether anti.slavcry voting and preaching are
harmonious and helpful to each other. We think
they arc. But the difficulty is, We havo had
no chance to cast an anti-slavery vote. Ard
our friends really criticise us because We do not
vote with them. Abstainance from voting
with them, we think docs really place us in a
superior position for influence by anti-slavery
preaching. The free soil vote has heretofore
been Incidentally anti-slavcry, and positiceiy pro-
slavery. II they give us, as they often have,
anti. slavery men to vote for, VIC are obliged to
"spit upon their platform" If non-votcrs had
been able even to have originated so bright an
idea, the result of the recent whig experiment
would quite have discouraged them in regard
to its future use. We say the free soil rote is
positively proslavery. Mind wo don't speak OF
intentions these may be, and arc of the purcst
character, nor of their preaching. That is a
little Mixed sometimes positively and thor
oughly anti. slavery and sometimes otherwise.
But we are talking of their potc. What is it 7
1t has been for the removal Of slavery at fu-
ture period, when it could be incidentally re-
moved by circumscribing and limiting it. Let
the yoke remain within tho States, has been its
language.
Moral action says, Break every yoke. 1t de-
mands immediate emancipation. n.-Thc vote says
No more slave states, admitting that we shall
keep what VIC have, except as they are incidcn-
tally removed. Positive anti-slHvery says 40
slave states. The vote says no more slave ter
ritory. Moral action says no slave territory
The vote says, rendition shall be left to tho
States-M oral action says no rendition. The
vote gives a quiet ncquiesccncc in the slave
representation, of the constitution, thus for
tifying the power which sustains slavery
Moral action says, no slaves to be represented
let the representation be that of freemen.-
The vote says, union, corporation, fraternity
with slavcholders-and that on their own terms.
Moral action says, come out from among them
and be yc soparatc-They are men steacrs, the
greatest of criminals, be yo not partakers of
their evil deeds, no, not with the hope of there
by cficcting their reformation.
Now if we understand il, these are the votes
that our friend complains that we have not
cast. We have no hesitation in affirming that
the non-voter's position is moro favorable as
PASeShSA va IlbntCOuSnCssy tlhn
that of the equally persuasive and logical
preacher, who casts such votes. 1t needs only
tho statement of the question to make it appa-
rent. The drunkard will jeer at the most pa
thetic appeals and the plainest rebukes of the
companion of his cups. So he who is the near
est to entire disfcllowship with slavery, other
things being equal, will be The best ant.slavery
lecturer.
While therefore, VIC do not deny that pos
tive anh-slavery voter may be as effective
an anti-slavcry preacher as his twin brother,
who docs not vote, and, if you please, you may
add that he is a moro effective one +: we do
affirm, that free soil voters work at wonderful
disadvantage when they undertake to preach
positive amt. slavery. OF that some of them
had experience during the late campaign when
they met with wings, brazcn enough to steal
and use the non voters thunder 1t seems to
US we had better keep preaching and let voting
alone till we can get aDti-slavery folks to use
an anh-stareyy 6oilot Dor.