Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-01-01
Purchasing the Freedom Of Slaves.

Mr.. Rankin in n late Christian Press, vindi-
Gates his plan of the purchase Of the slaves by
the General Government. Rev. Mr.. Cable had
previously urged in the same paper, the most
obvious objections to the measure. This article
is in reply,
Mr. Cable objects to moving the General
Government to purchase the freedom of tho
slaves, first, because he thinks "it at least Of
doubtful morality" This seems to be an entire
misspprchcnsion. If a man is reduced to un-
just bondage, and there is no way to libcratc
him but by purcharing his freedom, how can II
be of doubtful morality to pay ransom for his
releases The sin and robbery charged by Mr.
Cable upon the shareholders, cannot make il
wrong to exercise mercy in redeeming tho
slaves from tho pressure Of such condition. 1t
is not buying human beings, as Mr.. Cable sup
poses, but buying for them the liberty of en-
ioying their rights. 10 purchase slaves to
hold them as property is an immortality of high
degree, but to purchase the freedom Of slaves
is 10 put money that cannot be injured in tho
place of human beings that can be injured; it
is to value the happiness of immortal beings
above money, and therefore is no immortality,
but noble act Of benevolcnce. Tho man who
purchases the freedom of slaves, gives the
highest evidence that he believes that slavery
is wrong. Would a man purchase the freedom
Of slaves, if he believed they were rightfully
heldl To purchase the freedom Of the slaves
would be to bear the strongest testimony
against the wrongfulness Of the slavo system.
Did Mr.. Cable himself never contribute any
thing to purchase the freedom OF slaves; 1t
may DO presumed he has. And would he him
self do what would be of doubtful morality for
the General Government to doi
Was it Of doubtful morality for Nehemiah
and those associated with him to purchase tho
freedom Of their brethren; Nch VS. 1--WE,
after our ability, have redeemed our brethren,
the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen."
1t seems strange that any one should not per-
eoivo the difference between acknowledging the
torcr TO hold slaves, and that Of acknowledging
tho right to hold them.
2. Mr.. Cable snys this plan "would be un-
constitutional" o. this he gives us no cyi.
dcncc. The Government has constitutional
power to secure its own existence by abolishng
such nuisances as are dangerous to tho peace
and welfare OF the nation. The prominent de-
sign of the constitution is TO secure liberty. If
the abolition of slavery is necessary to secure
liberty, the Government has constitutional
night to abolish it--and that its abolition is
necessary TO secure the liberty of both white
and black people, Mr.. Cable will not be likely
to deny. Besides, the Government cannot re-
ject the proposition on that ground, for if it be
to pay money for catching slaves,
it is constitutional TO pay money to purchase
the freedom of slaves. If the people but move
against freedom.
3. Mr.. Cable says: "Tho General Govern
ment has no right to lay tax on innocent per-
sons to pay mon for their wicked acts" To this
it is replied, that it is not to pay men for their
wicked acts, but to liberate three millions and
moro Of human beings from tho expressions Of
wicked acts. Nor are there any innocent per-
sons to be taxed. We all are associates in
ciiminality. We have all, directly or Indirect
ly, sustained the system of slavery. We have
always sustained the Government, and tho
Government has always sustained tho slave
system. How few are there who have not di-
rcclly voted for the men who in the Government
have upheld slavery Every one that has not
done all that he could to have slavery abolished
is personally criminals and who can say that
he has done, in this respect, oil he could have
done; If all that arc criminal may DO taxed,
We will have 10 difficulty. If Shareholders arc
robbers, VIC are their accompliccs. Wo have
helped them to commit their robberies. The
whole nation, as body, is criminal, and con-
sequently owes it as duty to God, to itself,
and to the oppressed millions, to abolish the
system. Mr.. Cable admits that il would Gin
crease the wealth and power of the nation
increase tho intelligence and virtue, and the
prosperity and safety of the country" And
would it be wrong to tax innocent persons to
accomplish these ends, in which their own per-
sonar welfare is involvedi
4. Mr.. Cable says the plan is "impractic-
able" because the resources of tho Government
would not be sufficient. He believes that it
would take at least fifteen hundred millions Of
dollars to purchase their freedom. Now, sup
pose it would take thus much. The Govern
ment is able 20 pay even that amount to its
own citizens. Would il take the money out OF
tho coun,ryi Would the nation be any pOore'
Mr.. Cable admits that it would increase the
wealth and power of tho nation. Is Mr.. Gable
the man to value fifteen hundred millions ol
dollars above the liberation of threo millions
one hundred and ninety eight thousand immor'
tai boingsi And then the salvation of soul;
involved in it-how immense! Surely th'
brother wrote in haste Ho is the last mar