Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-12-04
CHE Anti Glaurrp BnoIr.
SALEM, ONO, DECEMBER 4. 1852.
EXECUTIVE Committee meets December 9th
Free DisuniOn.

is as We anticipated the Democratic Party
victorious, Whiggcry vanquishcd ingloriously.
To tho friends Of Freedom this victory and de-
feat arc matters of little regard. Both Parties
richly meritcd defeat and the election OF either
would have answered alike the purposes Of the
Slave Power.
The Free Democratic Party, though its vote
is considerably smaller than that of 'Is, has
made great advancement The vote given up
on the Buffalo Platform, with Martin Van Du-
rcn as the leading candidate can not be taken
as an indication Of tho nti-Slavcry strength of
the party four years ago, as the position then
occupied was decidedly low, and the Anti Sa-
very character of the candidate lower STILL
Tho Platform Of the Free Democratic Party oe
80 is higher; ard It's candidates men who had
distinguished themselves by their advocacy of
freedom, instead of having as was the case with
Martin Van Buren,, protested to love liberty
only when the Slave power refused longer TO
use him as the mean instrument Of its usar-
pations.
Those who at tho late election, voted the Free
Democratic ticket did so because of Anti-Slave-
ry sentiment and feeling. The case was widely
different four years ago, when the only evidence
given of such principle by a large portion of
those who voted with the Free Soil Party, was
in the act of voting;- act, under the cir
cumstanccs, that spoke shomefully little in their
favor. A majority probably of the Three Hun
drcd Thousand who went for Free Soil in AS,
were in sentiment and feeling below the position
of the Buffalo Resolutions; but in 81 VIC be.
licvo the masses of the Free Democracy arc
above that Of the Pittsburgh Convention. If
this view be correct, thcro must have been
great progress in the party, as the moral tone
Of the latter, is altogether higher than that of
the former.
This much VIC concedc chccrrully to the Free
Democratic Party. L. has in it much of tho
true spirit Of rciorm-many good and earnest
abolitonsts, and is in its way doing efficient
service to the cause of freedom. Yet there is a
higher and holicr position than that in which it
stands, trucr philosophy of reform than that
by which its policy is directed. The American
and Western Anti Slavery Societies, if we mis-
take not, occupy that position and are governed
in their operations by that philosophy.
We know that many voting Abolitionists
censure those who consider it their duty to stay
away from the polls. Considerable effort was
put forth in this region, and probably elsewhere,
honestly, VIC have no doubt-to induce Dis
unionists to vote for Hale and Julian. With
what success these efforts have met, we are not
able to say though it is probable that but few
OF those who have been actively engaged in
promulgating the distinctive features of our
will be found to have so far depart
cd from the course that fidelity to their pIin-
ciplcs required, as to become willing partners
in Government which is the shield and sup
port of Slavery.
We do not hope to be nblo to satisfy those
who have no higher ideas Of Anti Slavery
pro- rress, than is seen in the scrambcs of poll
ticiaas for Office, of the correctness or efficiency
of our cause; but before thosc whose hearts are
imbued with the spirit OF Freedom, and who yet
think We violate an important duty in standing
aloof from the Free Democratic movemcnt,-
VIC arc willing to vindicatc our conduct and
justify our position.
All agree that the public sentiment of the na-
ton must be changcd-that the conscience of
the masses must be reached and aroused to
activity, bcior, the cause of Freedom can be
essentially advanced, politically or otherwise
To get hold upon the conscicnccs and hearts of
the people we must occupy true moral posi-
ton, and be governed by the highest expodicn-
cy. In this true moral consistency we maintain
the Free Democracy are wanting and that ours
is the only consistent course.
We know our claim TO trucr consistency and
higher principle, is disputed by many of our
Free Democratic friends. We do not complain
of their ccnsurcs, for VIC have felt it our duty
to condemn. and ecnsuro them. But how
stands the casei They asked us to Join them
upon the Buffalo Platform, and that 100, many
of them, on the ground that they were in ad-
vance Of us Yet the Buffalo resolutions were
not opposed to Slavery in the States, but merely
to Slavery extension, and the usurpation of the
Slave power. They admitted-nuy declared
that the Party adopting them believed Slavery
to be constitutional in the States, and diseluim-
cd all disposition to interfere with the inhuman
system where it existed by state law. Yet with
a platform so bad as this, and candidate still
worse, they called upon us to join them, and
seemed to think US behind the age almost when
we refused them, and denounced their position
We earnestly pursued our course however, dcs-
rite their manifestations and praycrs. condemninn
all compromise with Slavery, all union with
Shareholders.
In the Pittsburgh Convention, higher Plat
form Of principles was erected. Tho party
hcsitated not to speak out directly in condem-
nation Of Slavery. 1t declared Slavery to be a
" Sin against God, and a crimc against man
which no law or usage can make right-that