Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-09-25
VOL. 8.

pathies, while the latter never exhibited any
such weakness.
Mr.. Tilden did the best that could be done by
any man. But man cant make facts to sup
port his position, and unfortunately General
Scotts life has failed to furnish them. He there
fore failed to give MS any declaration of General
Scott, proving that in principle he was opposed
to slavery extension, or that in his administra-
ton, he would resict it. He referred to no act
of his on which we could hang such hope.
On the other hand we can,give Mr.. Tilden the
same evidence that his candidate is in favor Of
slave extension, which he admits proves him In
favor Of slave catching. viz; his pledge to sus-
tain the compromise. The great practical quea-
ton in the compromise was the defeat Of the
Wilmot proviso. In this the slave power sucs-
ccedcd. The government thus declared itself
in favor of slave extension. The acccptsnceof
the platforms by General Pierce and Gencra
Scott Is their declaration in favor Of extension.
So It is regarded by slave holders and all others.
Mr.. Tildcn, therefore when he gives his support
to slave catching for the sake of preventing
slave extension, does it without any reasonable
ground for hope of receiving his reward
Nay he does it in the face of certainty, (f
General Scotts pledge can be relied upon,) that
ho will be disappointed on this grand question.
That General Scott will do all that the slave
power demands Mr.. Tilden relies upon Con.
Seott's ant-slavery character. That character
has not proved itself sufficient to save him
from pledge to execute the fugitive slave law,
with all its enormitics. How then should iu
save him from giving his official influence in
extending slavery, and thus confirming and
porpetuating its power. How at least can Mr..
Tilden, or any body else expect il, with his
pledge to the contrary.
We said Mr.. Tildens speech though an ablo
and bold one was nevertheless failure. in les
object. 1t was so, because that object was tho
justification of himself and others in the perpc-
sration of an astonishing crime, one which bs
himself denounced as most outrageous and
wicked, the return of wronged, oppressed men
and women to their oppressors by means Of an
agent they were about to elect for that purpose
and endow with all the power and dignity of
tho national executive. How could an arch
angel in intellect do otherwise than fail in such
a purpose. Again Mr.. Tiden failed because il
can be no justification that somebody else Is
guilty Of the like offence. II some freesoiers
do consent to the return of tho fugitive, their
guilt docs not mitigate his. One does not need
to be lawyer % know that, and yet it was his
Justification.
1t is no justification of this crime to say as
was said, that it was pcrpetratcd to prevent tho
extension of slavery. Could Mr.. Tilden show
as he did not and as he cannot, that this mca-
sure would so result, still he has no right to
perpetrate this monstrous crime against liberty
and humanity. Were he to seize the human
tigers who seek their human prey through
General Scott. and hurl them to dungeons and
to chains, there would be reason and Justice in
the act. But to seize their flying, helpless VIC
tins and thrust them back TO the insatiate Jaws
of slavery, is monstrous and beyond all power
of ours suitably to designate.
With regard to the Free Sellers who coincide
with Mr.. Tilcen in regard to their constitutional
obligation, We leave them to their own defence.
We can make none for their position. But with
regard to the mass of them. though Is Mr.. Til
den has affirmed, they are in the same boat with
wings and democrats, they are nevertheless stri-
wing to make different port from their fellow
voyagers.
Much less candid men than Mr.. Tildcn will
be compelled to admit this. They are seeking
the port of freedom. Whether they will bo
likely to reach it in the teeth of the wind and
with wbiss and democrats rowing their COM
mon, constitutional ship in an opposite direction.
is question worthy of their consideration.
And if Alr. Wdcn's argument shall open their
eyes to the importance Of seeking a better craft
and better company we shall be glad and his
speech will not be in vain, though his object
was to seduce free soilers into voting for Gener.
al Scott with their eyes wide open rs 10 its
enormity. We have better confidence in tho
true heartedness of frecsoilers than this. II
Mr.. Tilden or the disunionists either sepe.a.sly
or combined. shall really succeed in convincing
them that they arc indeed by the constitution
the bond slaves of the south, and can only be-
the agents of its injustice, the result will be.
not willing submission to that power as Mr..
Tildcn counsels but declaration Of indepen-
dence, revolution, and the establishment of
freedom. Such we are sure are the generouA
impulses of Mr. Tlden's own manly heart
How much more worthy of him, than the work
OF Persuading anti-slavery men to vote for Gen.
Scott, and the Wing platform.
FREE SOIL MEETINa.-The Free so;lera
had a crowded hall on Wednesday evening.
by request, Mrs. Frances ID. Gage, who has
been spending few DAYS with her frienha