Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-09-04
at Salem-.-PilISburgh COnvCn
tiOn...Gcrrit Smith.

We ought to say a word of tho prominent
participants in our meeting at Salem last week.
Wo know not what TO say more than to give
their names, and add that they were there, dis
playing their energy and zeal in characteristic
directions. That Mr.. pil!sbury was fully him
self, our readers will sec who read the eloquent,
and sternly truthful, speech we give them to-
day.
AL were glad to greet once moro our beloved
and faithful co-workor, Oliver Johnson. Jo-
scph Barker, whom many of our friends met
for the first time, carried captive anti. slavery
hearts, and put pro-slavcry logic, sadly out of
joint.
j. w. Walker and II. c. Wright, spoke cap
itally,-we never heard them do better.
Much is due to Barclay c. Gilbert for tho
successful effort to raise funds for the Society.
Mr.. Gilbert, a warm hearted, working anti
slavery man, belongs to the Free Democracy.
As the best return we can make for his co -opcr-
alton at the anniversary, and for all conriibu-
tons from a similar ourcc, the Western Anti
Slavery Society will endcuvor 10 preach the
truth as plainly, and mske its application as
faithfully to the Free Democracy, as to Wings
and Democrats, hoping that thereby, by anoth-
er election they may be induced to abandon
their political partnership with Shareholders as
means of abolishing slavery.
Our relations to the government and the duty
and policy of voting, received considerable
share Of attention. Mcssrs. Frederick Doug
lass, Jacob Heaton and Isaac Pierce, advocated
voting,and the measures of the Free Soil party.
They, spoke with carncstness, and were heard
with attention. Mr.. Douglass spoke repeat
eGly, and on the general topics, with his own
surprising cloquense and power. His views of
the constitution and of the voting question,
were presented as fully ms the time g. circumstan-
ccs would permit. We saw in them, however,
nothing new to unsettlo our position, or change
our policy. We were glad OF his presence and
Of his participancy in this discussion. The
subject is one of present duty and policy, and
all should carefully inquire for the right
and avail themselves of the best facilities for
so doing. AS we now review the arguments
and facts presented on both sides, VIC can but
feel more strongly than ever fortified in the
opinion, that as mere matter of reformatory
policy, (and that is the ground on which our
political friends put iD, it would be most
serious calamity to the cause for the nom voters
to abandon their principles and cast their bal
lots for any candidate now in the field or likely
to be. In word,thc speaking was good. The
speakers were decided in their differences were
plain and straight forward in their speeches, but
most courteous in their manner and fraternal
in their feelings. We ought rot to omit to
mention, that Sojourncr Truth, would some-
times throw in the way of the politicians, a
most ugly diliculty-a whole argument, with
premise, conclusion and application, in single
question.
But speakers don't make mceting,-nor can
they alone give il tone and character. In this,
the frmness and decision of the members of the
convention did not less than the speakers
themselves. So it was at Pittsburgh. One
word about that convention. 1t was good
and glorious one. We were there. II filled us
with joy and hope. 1t was not the presence of
Giddings or Townsend, or Wilson, or Adams,
or Walker, or other distinguished men that so
much made us hopeful and joyful-It was not
their splendid and irresistible eloquence, or
their skillful leadership-It was not their
platform or their nominations, that caphvated
and elevated us. No, it was the spirit of the
thousands of honest hearted, whole -souled, he
roic men, who crowded Masonic Hall to suffo-
cation, and blocked up its way of access by
hundreds. 1t was that spirit among them which
was evidently ready to tread down without
fear or remorse, whatever offered to fortify or
support slavery. Freedom to them was far
more dear then Congressional enactments, con-