Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-07-22
THE COLUMBUS CONVENTION.

lhE CULUmbUS Jun NENIlON.
In another column will be found the proceedings
of this convention. The resolutions of the CON
yention are confined to a single point-"y resistance
10 the spread Of slareyy."
1t is said, there was great enthusiasm in the
meeting. Perhaps there was. But it must have
expended itself ON something else than the resolu-
tons, unless indeed it was in n "latent" state
for to us, they read exceedingly tame; and judging
from the reports of speeches, there were several
members of the convention to whom they present
cd a similar aspect,
Enthusiasm" as well as sound judgment,
would, as we think, have reached as far at least,
rs the aro~al of decided opposition to the present
clattelism of three and a half millions of human
beings. Nothing of this will be found in these
resolutions; not even a whisper Of condemnation
of the slave catching law.
Something more is needed. Just as we'll set n
fly trap to catch a rhinoccros, as to attempt to
check the progress of slavery by such a martial
and merely defensive operation. That one thous.
and delegates from all parts of Ohio-assembled
in the name of liberty-of liberty insulted-cru-
fed-could speak no more strongly, and propose
no other method of resistance, seem to us lament
able. Because, whatever effort may be made by
honest anti-slavery men in this direction, will
probably be utterly wasted, so far as the ultimate
object is concerned. Nay, worse, it will absorb
the sympathies of earnest anti-slavery men-and
keep them from more thorough work.
So has it been in the past. The elect friends of
freedom have courted self deception and defeat.
This timid, compromising policy has been most re-
,o,1,olIo g. a, o,oEk t, r1,rorr c,o, tIn t.,o
of the adoption of the constitution to this hour.
The constitution was a great anti-slayery tri-
umph, in the estimation of Elbridge Gerry and
others who sympathized in his somewhat anti
slavery views. But now it is the bulwark of sla-
very-the grand source of authority for kidnap-
pers, and so is like to be.
The colonization society was n great dntiSldrery
movement at the north, but it absorbed and misdi-
rected sympathy and effort, and despite its good
intention-instead of knocking off the shackles
of the slave-by fostering prejudice, it fastened
them with rivets of steel.
This policy of limiting slavery has been tried.
1t is nothing new. The very compromise which
this new party proposes to restore is conclusive
evidence of the utter futility of this project to
establish liberty by preventing slave extension.
The great convention for liberty, which con-
structed the Buffalo platform"-how it shook the
heavens with its shouts of joy, because it had con-
structcd a platform so cunningly, that the great
pro-slavery magician" could play his tricks upon
it. But alas! the compromising liberty men
found the trick was played at their expense, and
that slavery was enriched by this bargain, as by
all others she has ever driven with freedom.
We could multiply these examples, but there is
no need. We are filed with regret that Ohio po-
litical anti-slavery should have initiated these ex-
amples. They have proved failures. And we see
no reason why this should not also.
The remarkable feature of this sin of omission,
is, that the resolutions and the conservatism seem
to have come from the Free Sellers. Wings and
Democrats in the convention, would have gone
further. They would have spoken for the abolition
of slavery in the District and the territories. 1t
would have been n comfort to them after having
stood upon the Baltimore platforms 10 have spoken
against the fugitive slave law. 1t would have been
gratifying to them to have given some such owl
ience of a change of heart, with their change of
party. But the hunkerish among the Free Sellers
would not permit it. Mr.. Root asked that they
should only oppose the last and the merit ~iniquity
Judge Spaulding, who reported the resolutions,
and whom we suppose is their author, tried to
move heaven and earth last fall, against fusion
in Cuyahoga. Now (how ~changed) he has con
structed a platform on which it will require nj
effort to climb-and anybody with northern pro
slavery prejudices can stand on it, without thu
trouble of conquering them.
Wings and Free Sellers have raised the cry o.
''no more compromises" Have VIC in this short
coming convention an explanation of what they
mean by il? The most prominent orator at thu
convention, Mr.. Root, who announces his own SUI
perior virtue by p%roclaiming himself a Free Soilcr
seems to acknowledge our obligations to catcl
slayes-but would ask that the act be done "pU
deceacy and humaniy'!! True Mr.. Root says
that he will not execute this law-we suppose not
But then the states haze 10 do ii. And Mr.. Roo
consents to the compromise which requires it,
And the grand liberty convention cannot even ask
for the repeal of that law lest it might disturb
Wings and Democrats who favored it at The last
presidential election. A needless apprehension,
and not very complimentary to those whose ALI
ancc is thus sought.
Perhaps we may be thought hypcrcritical. But
50 much time and labor has been wasted in com,
promises and hall measures, that at this late hour
innd this important crisis, VIC cannot well endure