Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-12-04
VOL. 8


would gladly labor for its overthrow were 1t not
that their hands arc tied. But who tied thems
None but themselves. They cling to their ale
glance with constitution which they admit
prevents them from such action. So far from
being an excuse, their connection with tho
government, voluntary as 1t is, but adds to their
condemnation. 1t is bad enough to stand by
inactive, and see fellow being subjected to tho
worst of nil outragcs tho sum of all yilanies,
but it is worse to 60 Systematically to work and
pledge ones self constantly to such passive en-
couragcment of crimo and outrage.
We know that Free Soilers attempt to justify
themselves, by saying that in acting under tho
constitution they incur no rcsponsibili:y-that
they arc not required aciireiy 10 do any wicked
act. We nrc tired of this argument if such it
can be called. The government of this nation
is, or ought to be government Of "the people Of
the United States" formed to provide for the
common defense aud promote tho general well
fare. This is the only ground upon which
true man can give it his allegiance, the eonsti-
tuition itself opens With the declaration that tho
Government is to lc such. Is this declaration
u fasehood. or is ittrnih, We care not now to
settle this question. Tho three millions Of
Slaves held in this country arc either part
OF "tho people" or they are not. This much
at least is true the individual who enters into,
or would voluntarily support such govern
mcnt, with knowledge that millions of men
and women exist in the heart of the nation.
held as chattcls by their fellows who are, to
form part of the sovereign people-to have
no defence from the government and whose
protection, wellarc,rghts and interests are to re-
main wholly unprovilol ior--ho we assert who
does this becomes thereby q conuivcr at, and
partaker in crmo and outrage. It IS useless to
attempt defence Of such u connection. Any
argument offered in defence of an alliance SO
unholy, il but defence Of piracy and murder.
II on the other hand the United States Gov
crnmcnt, is a Government Of the ,rho'e people,
requiring the protection aud defence Of all
against wrong and outrage, what becomes of
the position of the individual or party who
without even self imposed obligation to do so
refuses to act against slavery in the States:
Alike in either view of the case tho Free De-
mocrary stand in position utterly incapable OF
defense.
Now we believe with Gcrrit Smith that no
enactment whether constitutional or not--that
no law whether sectional or matte nal, howe
vcr clothed with legal vcrJiagc or sanctioned by
ancient usage can impose the slightest obliga-
ton upon any human being to uphold, or sane
ton or countenanco the ci islavcment of men In
States or Territories, old or new and We be-
leve with the Free Democracy, that in the Uni
ted States Constitution an attempt is made to
impose upon its supporters obligation to sus-
tain, or at least submit TO the crime of slave
holding. OF course the Constitution though it
attempts it, cannot impose any such obligation
as duty, any more than any other pledge to
support or tolerate piracy, makes such support
or toleration duty. .l.
But while we believe this, We think it crimi--
nal TO pledge ourselves to sanction or tolerate in
state or nation iaelcss pirGcy. Ii the Const,u-
ton the United States is what VIC and tho
Free Democratic Party believe it to be, to give
It our allegiance, Is 10 maIc this picdye. We can
no more do this than wc could sustain the plat
forms of the Wing or Democratic Party. Nor
could the Free Democracy, il consistent with
their own highest declarations. The Wing and
Democratic Platforms pledge tho parties to sus-
tain the Fugitive Slave Law and tolerate with.
ont opposition the extension of slavery. Tho
ConHituion-tho P!ati-rm of the nation, and
oil all tie three parties, cluircs the states to re-
turn the fugitive slave, or to permit his return
and demands of its supporters tocration with
out opposition, to slavery in the States. IIale
and Julian are pledged to sustain this national
platform, just as much as Scott and Pierce wcro
pledged io those Of their respective parties
And there Is no consistent argument, that can
justify those who sustain the former candidates,
without also sanctiOning, in some measure, tho
act of voting for the latter, the difference so far
as any exists, being, not in the character of tho
action but in the extent of the wrong done.
The Free Democratic platform is as bad as tho
Constitution which allows Slavery in the States.
The Wing and Democratic Platforms are trorse
than the Constitution, as they tolerate the sys-
tcm not only in the States, but in some cases
beyond their limits. Certainly the latter arc
more infamous, but is the former high enough
for the true friends of the slave to stand upons
We think not. We believe that the "sober Sec
ond thought" of many who hayo given their
vote for Hale and Julian, will accord with our
view of the matter.
But it is claimed that under the Constitution
the extension OF Slavery may at least be pre-
vented, and the system itself crippled and dis
couraged, il not Obolishcd-henco the FREQ
Democracy refuse to rcpudiao the Constitution.
The instrument furnishes them with the means
OF preventing evil in one direction. though it
requires them to sustain the same or greater
evil in nnnlhnr So tho .,nrL.- aI.oa