Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-05-21
American and Foreign Anti.Slavsry Society

American and Foreign Anti.Slavcry Society
This Society held its annual meeting in the
Broadway Tabernacle, on the evening of We'd
nesday the 18th inst. Arthur Tappan presided
Rev. Mr.. Freeman, Of Brooklyn, read selections
Of Scripture and offered an Introductory prayer,
and was followed by Mr.. Lewis Tappan, who
read the annual report. We are indebted to
the Tribune for a report of the proceedings.
The report details the proceedings of the
committee for the past year, al d gives an en-
couragng view Of the present position of the
anti-slavery cause. The committee have circu-
lated large quantities of books and pamphlets
Code, published by them, has already passed
to a second Edition, and an Edition has also
been issued in London. A work is also in course
of preparation exhibiting the scfyility of tho
American Tract Society and Sunday School
Societies in mutilating their publications for the
benefit of shareholders. The increase of anti
slavery newspapers. and the increase Of anti
slavery matter in the religious and political
papers in the country presents hopeful condi-
ton. Only fifty fugitives slaves have boon
taken back under the authority of the fugitive
act of ls5O-whle the number of escaping
slaves has, since its passage, greatly increased.
The free people Of color are exhortcd to patience
and frmness in view of the recent oppressive
movements in regard to them in several of the
Northern States, and the American Colonization
Society is charged with fostering the public sem
timent which sustnins this movement. The
increased and increasing sympathy with the
enslaved, manifested in Canada and Great Brit
ain, is referred to as a source of encouragement.
The slave trade, foreign and domestic, received
some appropriate attention. AS experience in
dicates the impractcability of making anti.sla-
very men of ministers and men in public life, il
recommended that abolitionists give special at
tention to the youth, who are uncommitted to
parties. eitl'er ecclesiastical or political. The
Society proposes to continue its own work in
its own way, without interference with other
anti-slavery organizations. 1t will hc govercn-
cd By Christian prirciples-use Christian means
in Christian spirit. They have no controver-
sizes except with Shareholders, their abettors and
apologists. They seek to move all classes and
parties to anti slavery action.
Mr.. Frederick Douglass was the speaker on
the occason-his speech is an excellent one
Subject, "The present condition and future
prospects of the whole colored people OF the
United States"
We copy the following portion of Mr.. Doug
lass speech. After showing that the pro slave
ry party has failed and cannot do otherwise than
fail in its attempts to suppress ngitatation, lie
proceeds -
"The second cardinal object of this party,
viz: The expatriation of the free colorcd people
from the United States, is a very desirable one
to our enemies-and we read, in the vigorous
efforts making to accomplish it, an ackno wledg.
ment of our manhood, and the danger to Sla-
very arising out of our presence. Despite the
tremendous pressure brought to bear against
us, the colored people are gradually increasing
in wealth, in intelligence and in respectability.
Here is the secret Of the Colonization scheme.
1t is easily seen that just in proportion to the
intelligence and responsibility of the free color
ed race at the North is their power to endanger
the stability of Slavery. Hence the desire 10
get rid OF us. But, Sir, the oesire is not merely
to get us out of this country, but to get us ut a
convenient and harmless distance from Slavery.
And here, Sir, think can speak as if by au-
thority for the free colored people of the United
States. The people of this Republic may com
nit the audacious and high. handed atrocity of
driving us out of the limits of their borders.-
They may virtually confscate our property;
they may invade our civil and personal liberty,
and render our lives ntolerable burdens, so that
we may be induced to leave the United States
But to compel us to go to Africa is quite ano-
ther thing. Thank God, the alternative Is not
quite SO desperate, as that we must be slaves
here, or go to the pestilential shores of Africa.
Other and more desirable lands are open to us.
We can plant ourselves at the very portals of
Slavery. We can hover about the Gulf of
Mexico. Nearly all the isles of the Caribbean
Sea bid us welcome. While the broad and
fertile valleys OF British Guiana, under the
sway of the emancipatng Queen. invite us to
their treasures, and to nationality. With the
Gulf of Mexico on the South, and Canada on
the North, we may still keep within hearing of
the walls Of our enslaved people in the United
States. From the isles Of the sea, and from the
mountain tops of South America we can watch
the meandering destiny of those we have left
behind. Americans should remember that there
are already on this Continent, and in tho sdja.