Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-11-06
Abolition Of Slavery ia New York.

Mr.. Mintliornc Tonpkins, son of Daniel
ID. Tompkius, was the Free Soil candidate
for Governor of New York. In an address
to the citizens of New York, preceding the
late election, he urges their support of the
principles of freedom, by the following con-
sdcrations. The address was called forth
by an unworthy attack of John Van Buren,
upon Mr.. Tompkin's consistency.
What people can, with so great propricty,
hc urged to take ground in favor OF our con
stluliunal rights, aud in opposition TO the
unconstitutional aud oppressive action of
Congress as the people of the great state of
New York? What people has derived so
much benefit from the abolition of slavery,
aud the consequent elevation of labor within
their own limits, Ms the people of this great
statcf OF what avail the great enterprise
of her citizcus? OF what avail her grent
agricultural, commercial, and manufacturing
advantages aud facilities? OF what avail
her extensive natural resources OF
what avail, would ask would have been
all her great internal improvements? OF
whit avail the great genius Of Clinton in
projecting, and his indeinligable efforts in
carrying to completion that first and greatest
of those improvements, had there not been
n co-lahurcr in the field whose efforts al
though directed in different channel, still
paved the way for the beneficial results which
have since flowed from that aud other kin
drcd improvements?
Aud while would claim all honor for the
memory Of fCiinton-wLile would claim for
his memory the gratitude of the people of
this state for the favorable impress which n
life devoted to their service has stamped up-
on their institutions aud churactor, nt the
risk of appearing arrogant and bonsllul, |
will claim merit for his co-Iuborcr for his eff
forts in the cause of humanity aud for his
having urged upon tic Legislature of his
much loved state, "lhc propricty OF cxpung-
ing from our statute book the rcproach of
slavery" Although tic individual alluded
to left TO his descendants lille pnirimony
other than the recollection of his sacrifices
and unmcrited sufltriugs, yet did he leave to
them n rich legacy, II priceless heritage, of
which they cannot he deprived, and one
which, trust, they will ever appreciate
For one of those descendants, eau answer
that he values that legHcy more highly than
any other which could have been bestowed
upon him. That he regards that heritage,
that page in his fathers history as the bright
est in the record Of II life intimately conncc-
ted with an evenllul period in the history OF
his country. That there may be no misun-
derstanding, will quote almost entirely the
Language in which TINT beIuest was made:
To he Legislature Of The State Of .Ne,c York:
Gentlemen: In my last public conmrni-
cation to the Legislature, had the honor To
advert 10 the present happy condition of our
country, and TO intimate that tie existing
state OF society, aud the general disposition
of mankind, seemed propiiuous TO the pro-
motion Of the interests of literature, religion,
freedom and humanity. will now tuke the
liberty Of submitting to the Legislature,
whether the dictates of humanity, the repu.
tatiom of the state, and Il ust sense of graft
tutle to the Almighty for the many ihvors he
has conferred on us MS n nation, do not dc
nlnnd that the rcproach OF slavery he en-
plunged from our statute book.
"No people can he bound to acknowledge
sand adore the Invisible hand which conducts
the ntlnirs of men, more than the people oi
:" the United States. Every step by which
they have advanced to the character of an
independent nation, seems TO have been
" distinguished by some token of Providentill
"agency."
The same Divine nuniiccnce, which call
ch firth this ciiiIsion of gratitude from the
father of his country twenty-seven years ago,
has been equally, l' not more conspicuous
in every subsequent stage of our advance
ment in prosperity and renown. What more
acceptable return can grateful and enlight-
ened people make TO the Heavenly donor of
these so great benefits, than by emancipntiug
from bitter servitude that portion of his
creatures which still continues TO he held in
unjust aud cruel bondage by civilized und
independent ireonen.
do, therefore, respectfully but earnestly
recommend to the Legislature TO establish
some future day not more remote than the
4th day of July, 1927, OH which slavery shall
cenae within this stute. To fix day thus
remote for general emancipation, will impair
in very small degree any private right, aud
will, at the same time, he consistent with
the humanity aud justice of a free and pros
porous people.
(signedl DANIEL D. TOMPKINs.
Albany, jan. 2slh, 1917.
The Legislature, acting upon the recon-.
mendation contained in the above message,
did fix upon the ltll day of July, 1897, as the
day on which slavery should cease within
this state.
Who can calculate the important influence
of That act upon our destines, and what re-
turn are we makiug for the advantages we
have derived from il? Why, we, in utter
Disregard of the clnims of freedom aud even
of common self-respect are content TO be
made kidnappers, slave hunters and catchers.
This is the return which we are required
TO make for all "those tokens of provideniinl
agency which have distinguished every step
by which we have advanced to the character
of an independent nation"
This is the way ia which we are required
to show "our gratitude and obligation to
acknowledge and adore the Invisible hand