Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-06-10
From the Columbian.
LETTER PROM SAMUEL LEWIS.


interest himself IN this worlds affairs, but SO II Is
without any reason to expect more than tempOra-
~ relief from extreme pain, and few weeks, pos
ribly months Of life, cannot diyist myself of an
Intense anxiety in referenceto the great interests
of humanity, and especially as these interests
are to 30 affected ly the action Of my own country
men. -
To me, our government presents no new aspect
i " but pursuing the same measures that have
engaged its attention the last twenty years. Slave
holders laid down as an admitted principle, that
slavery was the best condition for the laboring
man; that II WAS TIE true conservative principle in
our government that tho Grst aud chicfcst object
interests and glory OF country, required all
energies should be directed to extend ard rcrpc-
tuate slavery. To this doctrine our leading poli-
Clans of both the great parties practically assentcd
nnd ieldcd to every demand Of slaychUldcrs sacr-
hcing law constitution, Justice, liberty ana human
ity, until slavchUdcTs arc themselves astonished
nj the basuness Of doughf.ces; aud now northern
apostatcs from liberty hasten to do tho bidding Of
shareholders aud fist as one act of trcachcry is
finished, thcy turn most 6bscquiously to the driver
with hat in hand and say, "U'hdf neri massa p
Thus Mexico abolishcs slavery. and the United
States rcinstated it in Texas, New Mexico Sc. The
fugitNc slave net Oud other ab0minatipns are aiOp-
vel rs law, and made by both parties unchanga
blcas tho laws Of the Me les "Ipdaf Rert mdsSd I'
Slavery says Behold that virgin soil in the cen
tire Of this great continent; land reserved for
the homo of the free. the sources Of all the great
lakes and rivers; fit for dozen states, and fifty
millions Of freemcn. II only liberty may 60 there,
its warming, entcrprising influence must melt away
tho chains of slavery this must be stopped, free
GOm must be put down. and slavery put over all
that vast region. Quick as thought the deed is
done and already the question is repeated "Ilh6
ncrf masaP Hear the answer See yo that Is
land continent with unequalcd capacities for agr-
culture and commerce; 1t lies on our southern bOr-
der hitherto it has been crippled aud cursed with
slavery, like our own land. Could this continue, II
would satisfy us but movements arc making to
abolish sduery there and permit ircemcn to cultivate
that garden, Such example will ruin us slave
holders we must have the island to make slavery
perpetual there; and northern doughlacc politi-
clans cry " les mdssa." Then We must have other
territory from Mexico tb make more slave states,
and construct the great Pacific railroad entirely
within slave territory and then all this foolish
old law, which prcsumos every man TO be free,
must be set asilc, and slave Law must 90 over all
our states, SO that every where the laborer shall
be presumed a slave and when all this is done,
We Shareholders will be prepared to strike our
final blow, and put down what little may then re-
min Of liberty in all the United States
The whole is resolved into the great question,
whether our country shall be Of justice, free
dom, virtue, intelligence, free schools and chris
tanity, with all the bright and glorious results Of
those institutions and principles? or, shall 1t be
Land Of injustice, slavery, vice, ignorance, and m
fidelity, with all their bitter ruitsr And this ques
ton is 10 be answered by the honest masses Of the
correct principles these subjects, and then must
act out those principles by our votes.
We arc this year to chose house Of represen-
tatives, and that house will hold in its hands pow
er to decide all these great questions. If we choose
men who support those corrupt slaveholdng organ
iza,ions, it viii be indorsing the measures OF the
last and present administrations. If we leave out
all men who have either actiyly or passively sus-
taued the Fillmore, Webster, Pierce and Gushing
measures, it will put on them the seal OF popular
nj ,l,a alttb tbn trbn
state and national legislation, for both have become
tools Of the slayc power. Ayast majority OF wings
and democrats are opposed to this slave extension
system. but while voting with their party on old
lines, they support the STAKEHOLDER most ehectuay;
so that those who really desire to rescue our gov
ernment from impending ruin, must consent tC
leave old quostons 'ct tho dead bury their dead;
these arc living questions, and tie people can save
the nation If they will.
But we must not expect or undertake to do any
good in the old parties true, northern wings &
agains the Nebraska swindle, but they went to
fugitive slave law and all the abominatons Of 1850
We remember that most of the outrageous slave
measures have been maturcd and consnmatcd un
der administrations elected rs whig and the lSjt
measures have prepared the way for the Nebraska
and Cuba abominations so that it is all vain hope
for wings as sUc, to expect TO regain power by op
posing this one measure. They may succeed il
keeping the present ascendant party in power, bu
that is all they can do We cannot trust either wing
of the slave party
There is NOW a vast majority of the people Of al
parties opposed to the leading slave extension
measures of this and the last administration. Th
important question it, how 20 unto them upon
taembers ef Congress who agree with the popu
lar sentiment. The PFC ient party in power ha
great advantage through its immense patronage;
will rally the main body of pro,sayery men iron
both the old parties. III the old whig leaders cal
keep up the shadow of organization on their doaC
issues they may by such outside pressure iurnisl
- =
them in, and thus secure perpetual slayc-holdinl
ascendancy but il the pro-slayory wings will open
" 60 with their friends, the Pierce party where
they properly belong, to leave the mass Of tho
people free to try the only real living issue, thcrC
will be creator victory for freedom then the world
ever saw.
But Independent Democrats have an importau
part to act in gng the house Of representatives
Every inducemcnt viii be held out to make yol
abandon your organization and your principles;
you may have thrust upon you mere opponents t
the Nebraska swindie, who will still support tn
fugitive slave act, with the denominations of 1856
and other years. Your faith will be rorely tried
But let an old man, who can have no motive to mi,
lead YOU, one who can never appear before 70
asain caution you. The Nebraska swndle can
repealed whenever men vote their principles. l
with all the other slave laws Of congress must
repealed, if independent democrats remain frI
and true to tlcir organization and principles /; bl
if you break up, or seriously wayer in your cours
even il you should for the present put aside thi
fraud, you would leave slavery with the whole fel
To do as they please when you ceased to oppos
them, as you must il you allow yourselves TO
swallowed up by either wing Of tho pro-savcr
party. Ohio has fifty thousand recorded votes 70
freedom. Let that power be felt. Slavery cannt
get 70 many votes for us erieHsio', ou tho make
issue. All we want is to get the real issue bcfor
tse people. do not counsel that you shall hol
yourseiys apart from all others; accept Invitation
toeo-operaie with others. invite others to co-opc
ate ,xith you, in nominating and clecting congress
men; but while yoa waive old minor and dea
Issues. be firm and support no man who refuses
sepnJiate every law aud compromise made to e
.tabIisli sustain, extend Perpetnate slavery
Away with all tears the violation Of such con
promises The compromise TO make Missouri au
Arkansas slaye states. was as bad as the Nebrasl
ssisdle- Many Of you have heard denoun,
q fer fifteen years. We all know thatslaveholde
-. .....o. l.o..nA L. ana rnnnnn.t flat n, or