Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-03-04

Territory has not been superseded or in any way
by the Slavery Acts of 1850. The
proposition before you is, therefore, original in its
character, without sanction from any former legis
lation and it must, accordingly, be Judged by its
merits as an original proposition.
Here let il be remembered, that the friends OF
Freedom are not open to any charge OF aggression.
They are now standing in the defensive, guarding
the carly intrenchmcnts thrown up by fathers.
No proposition to abolish Slavery anywhere, is now
before you but on the contrary, a proposition to
abolish Freedom The term Abolitionist, which is
often applied in reproach, justly belongs, on this
occasion, to him who would overthrow this we'll
established landmark. lie is, indeed an Aboli-
ZIONIST of Slavery; let him be Called sir, an Abb
olitionist of Freedom. For myself, whether with
many or few, my place is taken Even IL alone,
my feeble shall not be wanting as q bar against
this outrage.
On two distinct grounds, "both strong against
the deed" arrugn il First, in the name of Public
Faith, as an infraction Of the solemn obligations
assumed beyond recall by the South on the admis-
sion Of Missouri into the Union as q Slave State
Secondly, | arraign it in the name of Freedom, as
an unjustlable departure from the original Anti
Slavery policy of our fathers. These two heads
propose to consider in their order glancing under
the latter at the objections to the prohibition Of
Slavery in the Territories.
And here, sir, before | approach the argument,
indulge me with few preliminary words the
character of this proposition. Slavery is the for
chile suljeotion of one human being, in person,
labor or property, to the will of another. In this
simple statement is involved its whole injustice.
There is no oficnse against religion, against mo-
rails, against humanity, which may not, in the
license of this institution, stalk "unwhipt Of jus
tice" For the husband and wife there is no mar
rago: for the mother there is no assurance that
her infant child will not be rayished from her
breast; for all who bear the name of Slave there
is nothing that they call their own. Without
If..
the Slave has nothing but n master. IL would be
contrary TO the Rule of Right which is ordained
by God, If such n SYSTEM though mtigUtcd often
by patriarchal Kindness, and by plausible
physical comfort could be otherwise than perni-
cious in its influences 1t is confessed that the
master suffers not less than the slave. And this
is not all. The whole social fabric is disorgan-
lied labor loses its dignity industry sickcns; cd
ucntOn finds no schools and all the land of Sla-
very is impoverished. And now, sir, when the
conscience Of mankind is at length aroused to
these things when, throughout the civilized world,
slave dealer is n by-wOrd and reproach, We as
nation, nrc about to open a new market to the
tralickcrs in flesh, that haunt the shambles Of the
South. Such an act ut this time, is removed from
all that palliatOn often vouchsafcd to slavery.
This wrong We are speclously told, by those who
seek to defend it, is not our original sin. 1t was
cntaled upon us SO we are instructed, by our an
cestors and the responsibility is often, with cx-
ultation, thrown upon the mother country. Now,
without stopping to inquire into the value of this
apology, which is never adduced in behalf of other
abuses, and which availcd nothing against that
kingly power imposed by the mother country, aud
which fathers overthrow, it is sufficient for the
present purpose to know that is now proposed to
make slavery our own original act. Here is q
fresh case of actual transgrcssion which We can.
not cast upon the shoulders of any progenitors
nor upon any mother country, distant in time OF
place. Tue Congress Of the United States, the
anfNl ea1 CN,NA l..ar
vaunted period of light, will be responsible for it
that it shall be said hereafter so long the dis
NAL history of slavery is read, that in the year o
Christ 1854 new and deliberate act was passed
by which vast Territory was opened to its in
roads
Alone IN the company Of nations does our coun
try assume this hateful championship. In despoti,
q itustla, the seridom which constitutes the "pecd
liar. institution" Of that great empire, is never
allowed 10 travel with the imperial flag, according
to the American pretcnsion into provinces newl,
acquired by the common blood and treasure, but il
carefully restricted by positive prohibition, in bar
mony with the general conscience, within it
ancient confines; and this prohibition, the Wilmo
proviso of Russia-is vigorously enforced on ever,
side, in all the provinces, as in Besarabia on th,
south, and Poland ON the west, that, in fact NJ
, Russian nobleman has been able to move into thes
important territories with his slaves. Thus Russi,
speaks for freedom, and disowns the saychOldinl
dogma Of cur country. Far away in the East, a
the "gateways Of the day." in cfIcmnate India
slavery has been condemned. In COnstantinople
the quccny seat of the mos powerful MohammedaI
empire, where barbnrism still mnges with civiliz
alton, the Ottoman Sultan has fastened upon il tho
stigma Of disapprobation The Barbary States o
Africa, occupying the same parallels of LATITUDE
with the slave States of our Union, and resembling
them in the nature of their boundaries, their pro
ductors, their climate, and the peculiar institu
: tion,' which sought shelter in both, have beer
changed into Abolitonists. Algicrs, seated on tn
line of 360 20> has been dedicated to freedom
Morocco, by its untutorcd ruler, has expressed il
, desire, stamped in the formal terms Of n treaty
that the very name Of slavery may perish from tn
minds Of men and only recently, from the Dey O
Iunis has proceeded that noble act by which, !" Ii
, honor Of God and to distinguish man from tn
r brute crcation'-I quote his own words-he dc
creed its total abolition throughout his dominions
Let Christian America be willing to 10 taught b
; these examples. God forbid that our Republic
!, "her Of all ages, foremost in the files of time
should adopt anew the barbarism which they hay
\ Irenounced.
Q As the effort now making is extraordinary i
character, so no assumption seems too extraord
mary TO be welded in its support The primary trut
h of the Equality OF Men, ms proclaimed in our De-
. laration of Independence, has been nssailed an
4 this Great Charter of our country discredited. S
you and will soon pass away but thatw contnu
! 10 stand, above impeachment or question III
Z Declaration OF Independence Declaration
d Rights, and the language employed, though gene
i raj in its character must obviously be restrane
d within the design and sphere of Declaration
n Rights, involving no such absurdity rs was attri
uted to it yesterday by the Senator from Indiana
!. Mr.. PETIT. Sir, it is palpaple fact that me
are not born equal in physical strength, or in mel
tai capacities, in beauty of form or health of bod
V These mortal cloaks of flesh differ as do thci
worldly garments. Diversity or inequality in the,
i respects, is the law of creation. But as God is
:. respecter Of persons, and as all are equal in h
n sight whether Dives or Lazarus, master or slave
are all equal in natural inborn rightr; and, pardc
me- if say, it is vain sophism to adduce in arg
ment against this vital axiom of Liberty, the ply
# ica or mental inequalities by which men are cha
acterized, or the unhappy degradation to which,
h violation,of q common brotherhood they are doom
/. ed. TO deny the Declaration of independence
/ to rush on the bosses Of the shield of the Almght
which, in all respects, the present measure seems