Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-09-11

new Slave States.
Nowhere under the Constitution, can the
Nation, by legislation or otherwise, support
Slavery, hunt slaves, or hold property in man.
Such, sir, are my sincere convictions. Ac-
cording to the Constitution, as undcrstond it,
in the light of the Past and of its true princi-
Pies there is no other conclusion which is ra.
tionol or tcnable which docs not defy the au-
thoratativo rules Of Interpretation; which does
not falsify indisputabc facts Of history which
docs not afIron. the public opinion in which it
had its birth; and which does not dishonor the
memory of the Fathers. And yet these con-
victions are now placed under formal ban by
politicians of the hour. The generous senti-
ment which filled the early patriots, and which
impressed upon the Government they founded,
as upon the coin they circulated, the image
and superscription of LIBERTY, have lost their
power. The slave masters, few in number,
amounting to about 100000, according to tho
recent census, have succeeded in debating the
policy Of the National Government, and have
written SLAVERY on its front. And now an
arrogant and unrelcntng ostracism is applied,
not only 10 all who express themselves against
Slavery, but to every man who is unwilling to
be the mcnial of Slavery. A novel test foS of
fee is introduced, which would have excluded
all the Fathers of the ltcpublic--ovcn WASH
ington, Jefferson, and Franklin Yes sir
Startling it may be but indisputable, Could
these reverend domigods OF history once more
deccnd upon the earth, and minglc in our ai-
fairs, not one Of them could receive u nomina-
ton from the National Convention of either Of
The two old political parties Out of the cor
vction of their hearts and the uttcrance of
their lips against Slavery they would be con-
demed.
This single fact reveals the extent to which
the National Government has departed from
its true course and great examples. For my
self, know no better aim uadcr the Consttu-
ton, than to bring the Government back to the
precise position on this question which it occu-
pied on the auspicious morning of its first or
ganization under Washington;
Cnrsus iteraro
Relictus;
that the sentiment of the Fathers may again
prevail with our rulers, and that the National
Flag may nowhere shelter slavery.
To such as count this aspiration unreasonable
let me commend renowned and life-giving
precedent of English history. As early as the
days Of Queen Elizabeth a Gourtier had boast
cd that the air Of England was to pure for a
slave to breathe, and the common law was said
to forbid Slavery. And yet in the face of this
vaunt, kindred to that of our Fathers, and 50
truly honorable, slaves were introduced from
the West Indies. The custom of slavery grad
ually prevailed. Its positive legality was af
firmcd, in professional opinions, by two eminent
lawyers, Talbot and Yorkc, each afterwards
Lord Chancellor. 1t was also affirmed on the
bench by the latter as Lord Hardwickc. Eng
land was already Slave State The following
advertisement copied from London newspa-
per, tho Public Adrertisr of Nov. Odd, l769,
shows the journals there weie disfgured as
some of ours, even in the District of Columbia |:
ITO be SOLD. black girl, the property of J.
b., eleven years of age. who is extremely handy,
works at her rcedle tolerably. and speaks Eng
lish perfectly we'll is of an excellent temper
and willing disposition. Enquire of her owner
at the Angel Inn, behind st. Clements Church,
in the Strand"
At last, only three years after this advertise
mcnt, in 1872, the single question of the legal
ity of Slavery was presented to Lord Mansfield,
on q writ of HaJea' Corpus. A poor negro,
named Somerset, brought to England as a
slave, became i'll, and with an inhumanity dis
graceful even to slavery was turned adriit upon
the world. Through the charity of an estma-
bic man, the eminent Abolitionist, Granville
Sharpe, he was restored to health, when his
unfeeling and avarisious master again claimed
him as a bondman. The claim was repelcd.-
After an elaborate and protracted discussion in
Westminster Hall, marked by rare learning
and ability, Lord Mansfield, with discreditable
} reluctance, sullying his great judicial name,
but in trembling obedience to the genius OF the
British Constitution, pronounced decree which
made tho carly boast a practical verify, and
g rendered Slavery forever impossible in England.
7 Moro than fifteen thousand persons, at that
time held as slaves in English air-four times
as many as are now found in this District
, stepped forth in the happiness and dignity oil
freemen.
With this guiding example let us not despair
The time will yet como when the boast of oui
Fathers will be made practical verify also
and Court or Congress, in the spirit of thii
British judgement. will proudly declare that
' nowhere under the Constitution can man hold
. property in man. For the Republic such
decree will be the way of peace and safety
u AS Slavery is banished from the national juris
diction, it will cease to vex our national politics
: 1t may linger in the States as a local institu,
ton; but it will no longer engender nationa
i animosities, when it no longer demands na