The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-05-04

sketches hereafter. At the close of the Conven-
ton MIR. Lewis, the President, spoke as follows:
Samuel LewIs--ssIs Position.
This issthe last meeting CT our Convention
our humble servant has tried to do his best, and
be impartial to all who desired to speak. Acou!d
not speak. and it due our stranger friend Mr..
Garrison7 that he should have full and fair hear
ing, and that those who wished to reply should
have the opportunity. Now. want to occupy
few moments in defining my position. l would
not occupy any time were it not that may be
assailed and through my friends and those
interests | deem important. Doubts were ex-
pressed whether l woudb be willing to attend this
Convention if 3" m. Lloyd Garrison were invited.
Now I want it understood that my feelings were
hurt by the hint. l have always been in favor of
free discussion, When have engaged in the
advocacy Of Temperance, Free Schools, or A.ooE-
ton, have always invited it. As evidepce that
am in favor of it, will mention that at the dis
cussions between Messrs. Campeli and Owen,
Blanchard and Rich. Campbell and Purcell, | was
present. and tried to keep order and do Justice 10
all. love freedom of debate. Let no one think
l lower my Christianity by entering into eonyen-
lion with that man who has done more for liberty
and right than hundreds of those who denounce
him as infidel. You know / do not endorse him
in all things but in mary do, especially when he
speaks of slavery. When he paints its horrors
and sinfulness most strongly, tell him the baf
not told. Though we differ on some things, we
agree on this.
But we differ, and take the stand 10 say word
about these matters. First, about Christianity.
think that here, there is more difference 10 words
between US than in fact. As said before, if the
words ofthe commentators who have made the BIZ
BILE sustain slavery, to be taken as the Bible,
will go as far as any against it. That the churches
have done wrong admit. and it has been part of
my duty to stand up against these wrongs. When
was boy | attached myself to religious body.
and to some extent have since remained member
of that body, censurng and exposing what deem
ed wrong in it, and | believe the good done BY
that church greatly overbalances the evil done by
her leaders. As to the Bible, its truths existed
before it, but the Bible in the revelation of those
truths. Take it away, and many of them woad
! never have been known to US. | revere the BIZ
BILE; give it, say-send it the wings of the
wind-let every down-trodden slave read it, and
his soul will grow too large for his chains, and
slavery will cease. Great applause. Shall
hesitate to say this, when l look upon that man
| DR.. Brisbane who, under the inspiration of that
word, was taught to liberate his slaves and flee
from the land of his fathers? Shall / hesitate
about the value of the church. imperfect as it is
when look upon Father Rankin, born and leared
under the influence of slavery, yet taught by that
word the principles of liberty, and made light,
set, as it were, hill. No; and tell you, my
personal and political friends, whoever you are,
owe all have and am to the Bible and its sacred
teachings. Applause [ have not word Of
apology for what churches have said or men have
done.
Now, about the Constitution. shall merely
state my views. Think, if we look at the clrcum-
stances under which the Constitution was formed,
we shall come 10 just conclusion. Previously
the States or Colonies, all independent Of
each other and they came together and for q
compact by which they can act together for GER
tain purposes.
f My friend read from the opinions of English
Courts to prove his position, but you must remem
Der that rules of Court settling Parliamentary law
are to he considered only they related 10 oul
law. In England, The King Lords, and Common:
are the supreme power; here it is the people.
look upon it tonight. When you send men IL
Congress, you only send them TO write your de.
/! cree. Congress has no original power. What
glorious land we live in, after all. Oh tell me MOI
we will resolve it into chaos, and see what we car
a make ofits ruins.
Before the constitution was formed, Congress,
had no power to interfere with slavery by legsla
ton. Everything in its grnntingthat power is s,
much gained. The power to abolish the slay.
trade after 20 years was Of this sort; and ths
very day Congress came into possession OF th
: power it exercised it. The three-ftlh clause ii
another.
The South contended for full representation o
hel slaves as persons. The North said no, fol
, you regard them as property and when IN wa'
reduced to three 6fihs, it was considered go mnet