Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-09-23

nly mode Of rule in this compact in cas-,
you are left in the minority, is to become sece
der or revolutionist. And us you are by consent
one of the represented you to be law abiding
citizen while the fugitive slave law is not repealed
and you not rcvolutorist, it is your law, and
you have certainly if consistent got to obey it.
But again as you hold the Constitution to be pro-
slavery documcnt-as you hold it holds you to the
'non-nerfcronce of Slavery in the States, what
good objection have you to giving them fugitive
law for the recapturc of these colorcG citizens to
their slave owners /! Certainly no moral objection
to lend helping hrnd to return him who would
escape the penalties Of our law.
But again, all the friends of freedom are oppos-
ed to the repeal of the act, of 1890, which
gives to Slavery, Missouri, with their prom
se that they, the slave holders would ask for sla-
very, no more territory north of 3Go 30/. 1t ap
pears to sartle every one, that under this act he
Nebraska measurc), slave holders have given them,
the equal right to settle in this common territory,
with the free citizens of the northern states and
that it gives the slave holder the right to take with
him his acknowledged legal property which no
Southern gentleman would for a moment, think
of disputing to be right to do. And why be-
cause it is unconstitutional. Why, it is admitted
that Congress has no right to NEEDLE with Slavery
in the States Then why in the territories? 1t
is because territorial legislation belongs to Con-
grcss? But can Congress give the right to State
to make-laws "yegatatiag" slavery there, which
she cannot herself enact for the territories? If
Congress has not power to mcddle with it in the
territories rice reySa. And hence it clearly follows
that they may and have right to carry their prop
Nal, oil dor
the protection of our laws or in other words under
the alleged compromises of the Constitution. Yes
! pro-slavory Legslation diplomacy, and .jurispru
dance Iy the Federal Government from first to
, last have grown out and must continue to grow
out Of the supposed Compromises of the Consti-
tuition I" the State rights" rights Ct property"
&" Southern interests etc. etc, wrapt up in the
supposed Constitutional Compromises, demanding
Constitutional protection, implied in the Constitu-
tonal recognition, and calling for all the Congress
sonal provisions, adjustments and (if owned by)
, Compromises incident to the security, and rCGula-
ted exercise of othey Constitutional rights. Slavery
extension Missouri compromise, protection, of the
slave trade-fugitive slave laws, aye and Nebras-
p ka bills. and much more in the same line yet
l. in expectancy fuow-must follow, the alleged
Compromises of the Constitution naturally. yea
as certainly as the shadow follows the sun. The
: granting of the one, with obedience to the same,
is the obligation past to render subservisOn
and obedience to the other; and while render
the former we Hcrer can consistently, substanti-
ally oppose the latter And then let me add, for
one and for all, that my views of the Consti-
tuition that of the mass, which it is impossible that
should attempt in our short letter to expose in
their efforts my only policy would be that of a
. Douglas Democrat or reyoutionist granting the
one | find myself driven to the other.
In our public meetings all over the North, what
do we find as the most ultra action proposed ainsr
the aggressions of the slave power. Why, the re-
pudiating of all compromises with Slavery except
5 the Compromises of the Constitution Il! A very
broad exception indeed? What are they? The
fugitive slave clause is one the right of the States
, to maintain slavery the other &c. &c. &C. And
these Compromises with Slavery are itappears to
T be kept inviolate Now what has grown out of
them? Name allaggressions, encroachments, evils
and dangers that we have received and mast receive
in time to come if this policy to bc continued and
will answer-the same are they!
What more could the slave holders, and the slave
, power desire? What more have they ever claimed
in asking equal rights and the privilege with our
selves, to go into Nebraska with their property Of
E course we do not speak of their breaking their
, agreement of 1870, but of Constitutional right.
The agreement of 1870, brought into the field moral
and political causes, which made it eyident--neyi-
table that Slavery should at distant day cross
that line as it has now done. A mutual agreement
to that Compromise, to day would be equally pue
rile If Slavery is to be kept out out Of Nebras-
l.. - | 80 Al, II
2 promise! And the same mightbe said Of the whole
E original States for the same reason perhaps. But
! as my article is growing to an unusual length, |
p must come to a close | would love, and with your
q permission would be pleased t. extend the above,
to at least an other article of this length in which
q should not attempt to touch upon the evidences
. of the substantial ant-slavcry character of the
\ Constitution which in better hands is unanswcrablc
when taken in the language and spirit of the inSru-
ment But with what is now said it may be asked;
= but what shall we do with the Constitution? Do
: with t,make it he blessings tHbeIfy" as it
- promises to do to the least Of all its citizens, make
it secure to each of the States "a RptUNican form
, of Government, or cast IL to tie lcindS. But mark
>, before you speak further of the Compromises of
the Constitution put your finger on them and tell
p us what they are
G Scrutnze them by the strict letter, do for
e the slaves sake if not for your own-and they
If will vanish. Coustrue them by the living spirit
il and you cannot find them!! But free soilors,
;, progressive Wings Anti-Nebraska men, or by no
matter what name you call yourselves if you would
o be in earnest, if you would be consisent-if you
V would be successful-if wou would prove your
selves competent to meet the pressing wants Of the
times, you must 60 further much further than all
1t you have said AT this time when the slave power
d has rcpudiated all compromises, the friends of lib
erty if it has any, must accept the issue, and cast
n like her all Compromises under their feet-espec-
II tally those imaginary ones of the Constitution
It from whence all other Compromises spring unless
=. EnI IL. Ill.