Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-04-23
American Tract Society.

position of that body. The letter is published
in the Tribune. This Society has been in the
habit Of avoiding all reference to Slavery in
their publications. Hence, in its reprints Of
some English and other publications, 1t has
mutila,cd them by emitting all passages refer
ing to tho peculiar American institution
Judge Jay, in the letter before us, exposes and
rebukes this base subscrviency and pious fraud
of the American Tract Society, We extract
from the closing part of his letter
On the whole, Sir, cannot but think that
your society has greatly mistaken its duty to
God and man, in shrinking from pronouncing
Slavery, as well gambling and horse.raeing,
a moral evil. Unquestonnbly, the Society has
acted in perfect accordance with the gcnerGipol-
icy of the Northern Church, both Popish and
Protestant. That policy is moro easily under
stood than vindicnted. So intimate are our
commercial relations with the South, and so
dependent arc our politicians for the most tri-
fling office upon the support Of their party by
Southern votes, that to ask them and our mer.
chants to participate in measures and opinions
offensive to their Southern patrons, is like ask
ing the favor of them to pluck out right eye,
or cut off a right hand or course, the pccu-
mary and party interests Of these men react
on the Church and religious Societies with
} which they arc connected Hence has grown
up secular and ecclesiastical alliance, offensive
/ and defensive with Slavery. But this alliance,
although undoubtedly embracing many worthy
men, is, nevertheless, in direct antagonism with
the GOSPEL of Christ, and has consequently led,
and is daily leading to most disa,crous results.
( II has caused the avowal by men of high posi-
sition in both Church and State, of principles
utterly subversive Of that regard for justice and
mercy, which is not only one Of the peculiar
and beautiful features of our holy religion, but
also, and especially in Democracy, one of the
strongest safeguards Of person and property
Some Shareholders in Congress propose law,
tho provisions Of which may well have been
inspired by that evil and malignant spirit that
gocth about seeking whom he may dcvour--a
law openly setting at defiance the established
rules of evidence, and loveling in the dust all
tho barriers erected by the common law around
the personal liberty of tho citizen--a law re-
quiring every man, at the summons of n mis-
crcant slave catcher, to assist him in his dam
nable work-a law seeking by line and impris-
onmcnt to suppress the impulses of humanity
and the gushings of Christian sympathy. No
sooner is this accurscd law proposed than rival
| politicians contend for the honor Of giving it
/ their support, and no sooner is it enacted than
the two great rival parties strive to gain votes
| Al. L,,, Ia, -
their best cndcavors to carry H. into execution.
Many individuals, however, affirm that law
thus requiring them to participate in deeds OF
cruelty and injustice, is at variance with the di-
vine commands. Forthwith VIC have our pub
lie men and our party press snccring at the
"higher law" and insulting all who acknow
ledge its paramount authority to an act of Con-
gross worse than ALL we have our ministers of
the Lord Jesus Christ descanting from .their
pulpits on the reverence duo to the "Powers
that be-" as ordained of God, and actually urg-
ing the duty of obedience to one of the most
ungodly and execrable enactmonts of modern
legislation. Occasionally it was admitted, that
under peculiar circumstances, and multiplied
conditions, We ought to obey God rather than
man, but at the same time it was distinctly
taught, not merely that we should not .torei6iy
resist the Fugitive Law, but that the higher
law" did not dispense with our obligation to
catch slaves.
In the zeal, tho rivalry and tho cruelty dis
played in scizing the hapless and innocent fu-
gitive and hurrying back to tho house of bon
dage, of mental darkness and bodily suffering,
lessons of cruelty and injustice have been set
by the rich and the moral, which will not be
lost on the needy and proaigate. Many of our
wealthy and influential gentlemen arc sowing
seeds which may yet yield to them and their
children most bitter fruit.
! The shocking nsensibiity of our churches,
) religious societies end religious men. to the in.
; iquities of Slavery, of course involves them in
, gross Inconsistencies, degradcs the character of
the Gospel of Christ, and gives q mighty inn
, pulse to inhdelty. Never before, in my opini
on, has the American Church been in such peril
Ns at present, and from almost every portion of
it comes up cry Of distress. There is no fail
ure of money. The country is rich, and our
. wealthy men are liberal, and pride and ostcn-
i, tation and competition secure the erection of
5 gorgeous and expensive churches. But there
:, is failure Of increase Of ministers and mem
bcrs. The population is outgrowing the church,
and the love of many is waxing cold. From
. men like Tom Paine and most of his followers
0 the church has little to fear. Their Tires are a
sufficient antidote to their doctrines. But a new
, class of converts to inadclity is springing up,
= men whose fearless and disinterested fidelity TO
9 truth. mercy and justice. extort unwilling res
I pect These men reject the Gospel, not be-
: cause is rebukes their vices. but because they
! are taught by certain of !" clergy. and the
: conduct of a multitude Of it's professors, that
il sanctions the most horrible eruelty and an.