Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-01-24
Governor Woods Inaugural.

G0Vefn0r W00dS inaugural.
We give that portion of Governor Woods s
Inaugural address, which has reference TO the
great question of the day. Last year the Gov
ernor occupied portion of his message with an
argument for the supremacy of law, and for the
Fugitive Slave Law in particular. This year,
emitting the argument he satisfies himself with
the recommendation that it remain undsturbcd,
"that we may more fully test its results" He
is dcsirous that slave catching should have a
fair trial in Ohio Multtudes of the people arc
perfectly satisfied with past experience But
the Governor perhaps has some personal ambi-
tion. As Henry Clay desired that even in his
old age "he might be able to capture or say
one Mexican, $50 if the law should not be
two speedily abolished, tie Governor might
perhaps be able to catch ono "aiggor" If his
Excellonoy has any ambition in this line, and
in order to give the law fair play, proposes oih-
or to catch a slave, or to be himself caught, We
hope he will proceed to the experiment at once,
and have the matter done with, and the law
klbolishcd. We should most decidedly recon-
mend the latter method as most likely to decide
the question speedily, in favor of justice and
liberty.
Tho Governor seems TO have thoroughly
adopted the orthodox idea, that it is a peace
measure, and that agitation and excitement
should be forever closed.
Docs he think the citizens of Ohio blind and
deaf; Does he think them utterly unacquaint-
cd with the history of the past year under the
operation Of this peace experiment; Docs he
think they have not heard of the commotion in
Boston; Ofthc Presidential proclamation and
the presidential threat to visit the people with
the power of tho army for their sins; Or has
the Governor himself been unmindful of pas
sing events; Has nc heard nothing Of the tu-
multi at Buffalo, Chicago, New York and Pough-
kcopsic; Has nc yet to learn of the rescue cf
Jerry--ol the treason and homicide of Christia-
nia--of the border warfare that is now raging
between Maryland and Pennsylvania, the slave
hunts, abductions and murders, all the result of
his iavoritc measure which was and is, to close
forever the "lrutful source Of agitation and cx-
citcmont." Very consideratc, truly in his ex-
ccllcncy, after the people of Ohio have had six
teen months of experience in the inlamy Of be-
ing lcgalizcd slave -catchers, to give them still
further opportunity of testing its wondrous viz
tues.
Who that has aught of that sclf-rcspoct
which justice and virtue inspire, but would feel
himself nsultcd and outraged by tho recon-
: 81 ,ation 10 give a fair trial to laws authori-
siA irglary, arson or murder. Is the insult
less to :he whole people of Ohio, when our
chief Magistrate coolly recommends us to con-
tinuc submission and obedience to a law, which
requires ofus the perpctraton of acts unsurpass-
cd in infamy and guilt, by any in the whole
catalogue of crime As slavery is tho sum of
all vilanies-tho bastard who will return the
escaped victim to its horrors-who would obey
this law, which the Governor recommends
should remain undisturbed, stands unrvalcd in
guilt.
No. We need no further experiments. AS
We would secure our own scll-rcspcct-thcr res
pcct of the good and the appreciation of IIcav-
en-, We must violate that law by whomsooycr
sanction, or however sustained.
The Governor seems to talk with vast cour-
age and decision in opposition to the enlarge
mcnt of the area of slavery We should be glad
to think tina. we could place any confidence in
him, or his party in this declaration. But the
fact is, the Democrats have a President to elect.
Antagonisms must be rccconcilcd-tho North
and the South united to eject it. This giving
a fair trial to the Fugitive Law, IS the sop that
is thrown to the South-this declaration for
the Wilmot Proviso principle is to serve the
North. And all, both North and South, under
stand that this latter will be yielded in tho
hour of trial if demanded.
The Governor has most appalling sense ot
the wrongs Of slavery. Hear him." That
slavery is an evil; that it was brought upon
this nation by no moral right; and exists by
what is Jeliered to Be the force Of necessity be-
cause it is interviewer with every political rcla.
ton and civil institution of the South, is moi
to be controvorted." No wonder that the mar
who has such views of the cnormity of slavery
eradicate and finally wipe away the institu
tion."
Years ago, We had respect for Reuben Woo
and believed him honestly the enemy of slave
ry. True, he long ago forfeited all claim I,
such esteem. But we were hardly prcparct
for such puerility and traing, such direct in
suit to the intelligence and moral sense Of tn
people of the Commonwealth his Inaugur
al oxhbits-and yet it seems TO be just III
thing for hunkers of all sorts. Even the Whig
are out in its commendation.
Governor Woods Inaugural.