Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-10-28
AN ABoLITIoNIsT DEFINED.

AN AB0LITIONIST DEFINEH
What is an aboitionist Cannot the PuJlic
agree upon fixed definition Of the word, rs to
preclude all embarrassment and mSunderstand-
ing? In the Chuctaw Nation, an AbOlitlunist Is
defined t. be, one who teaches slaves, or permits
them to sit at meals with hnn-thc only ieyai def
nitiUn yf the word wr have ever known. But in
the pulpit, ON the stump in Conventions, in Com
grcSS, aud in the columns Of the newspaper press
1t means anything everything, according to cir
cdmNtamces. An Abultiomst lis one who goes for
anial @anatlou, tUr running off slaves and for cut
ting the throats Of the Shareholders" An Abo-
liiIonsts is ole "who would turn all the slaves
loose Ut once" An Abjlitionist Is one 'whu
writes, speaks, thinks, or feels against Slavery"
An Abaluiouist is one "whu goc, against the rights
iut the States and tho guarantees OF the Constiu-
ton, and would interfere with Slavery in the
States.' An Aholitinnist is one "whO is opposed
70 Slavery, and would lreycat It's extension to free
territory" So run the definitions. sometimes SO
narrow, as to include nobody, sometimes 50 broad
as - embrace everybody. Mr.. Toryey was an
Abo!'tl"nist, because he was in the habit OF run
ming slaves Of to the free States. Mr. Garrison is
an AbIliticrist beuagsc. while he denies that the
Z institution cohtcrs any power on Congress to
abolish Slavery in the States, he hates Slavery St.
intensely, that he advocates the dissolution of the
American Union. Mr.. Smith is an Abolitionist,
because while advocating the American Union, lie
holds that Congress has the right interfere with
Slavery in the States. Mr. Chase is an AbD!itioi-
ist, bccaLse, although he hulls that Congress has
no right to abolish Slavery in the States, it has
right and is bound to prohlbitit within the cXclu-
siye jurisdiction Of the Fedcrad Govcrnment--
General c ;ss is 0n Abolitionist because while
submitting 10 every demand the SaY, Power makes
upon him. and deny ying the right Of Congress 20
interfere against Slavery anywhere within Federal
or State jurisdiction, he regards Slavery as an evil
Il tI,t
positive law. In word, every man is ain Aboli-
tianSt, who docs not believe l!dt Slavery is. the
most blessed Of all human institutions, and that
the great mission of the American Union is to pro-
tcct, foster, extend, and perpetuae it,
These remarks are suggested by an attempt Of
the Netc York Duiy Iiates to vindicate the Wings
of New York against the charge of Abolitionisnl;
and by Il paragraph in the N0ti0HGl hteHiyeHcer.
defining the position ot Senator Simmer. The
ItacS says:
There is nothing whatever, in the position of
the Whg party in this State, TO warrant such
imput;,ton. The Wings OF New cork Starl now,
us thcy have always stood, firmly aud faithfully by
the COMPROMISES Of tie COHStitntjoR un the subject
Of Slavery. They recognise the right Of cv.ry
State to maintain or abolish Slavery just rs it may
see fit; is thoro the slightest prelex for sly
ing that they would justify or couutenance for
moment any Interference, on the part Of the Gen
Cral Government, with that right, or with its indie
pendent exercise
According to the Times, an Aboliionist is one
who goes dgaiaH tie Compromise q tie ConSia"-
iiOa. dd Is IN JdU0r Gt the tattLierchcc Ct tic Ied-
end Government to ajoiih Statny IN The states.
1t is rather odd, that this definition fits nobody,
Gerrit Smith and tho small class Of Anti-SInvery
men who concur with him, are in favor of Federal
action TO abolish Slavery IN the States, but they
deny that they 90 against any OF the Compromises
If the Constitution, iur there are no Compromises
tiIut ms "a tIEp ~
sanction protection. Mr.. Garrison and the
small class of Anti Slavery men lie represents, do
not call for Federal action to abolish Slavery in
the States, but for State action toaboish the Union
The great body of political AntSlacery men who
supported Martin Van Burtn in lS4S and John p.
Hale in lS52 make no war oD the Compromises of
the Constitution, becauSc, they say, they impose
on then no duty inconsistent with sound morality,
and disclaim amy purpose of interfering. through
the General Government To abolish Slavery in the
States. The NrW York Times might as well try
again.
The LltelligeRcer is somewhat more precise
with the characteristic courtesy Ui the
Pru-Sllyery tribe, had stgnatized Charles Sum
ner in its columns, "braZen-taced Abolition |
st." This being brought to the notice of tho edi-
tors subsequently, they regret it, for they are not
in the habit Of allowing the language OF vitupera-
ton, DC. They add:
Towards the Senator from Massachusetts such Lam
personal knowledge. In common with most Of his |
of the North, he is doubtless thor
lugh Ant-Slnvcry man; hurhc is not an Aboli- .
ioUIst, in the understood sense ot the term. 1t /
has never entered into his head, to interfere with
he relation Of Slavery in ihe States or Territories
within which it has a lawful existence"
The hteHigeaccr then defines an Abolitionist as
nc who is in favor of "inierlering with Slavery |
n the States and Territories within which it has
lawful existence" Is it aware thnt such def
iitiun will relieve Gerrit Smith Of tho "imputa-
ion" Of Abolitionism? Mr.. Smith denies that
Slavery has lawful existence aEywherc-nay
hat it is possible to give il II lawful exStenre. lie
will of course disclaim heing an Abolitionst, in \
he understood sense of the word as defined by Il
he MieHigeacer. 81 will the editors of the Past
md Tridune of New York, Chase, Sumner Sc
ward, Wade, Hale and the great majority Of Anti.
Slavery men, whether Wings, Democrats. or Free
while they ali go against Slavery in
he Territories belonging to the Union. they all
eny shat il has or can have any "laicfM existence
herein. Try it again, Mr.. MieHigencer.
The truth is, AbOlitinnism is a mere raw head
nd bloody bones, to frghten towards and all those
espeatahle people who think more of appearance,
han reality. Every person who loves Liberty, and
ates Slavery, and WHO is doing what he can in
is sphere, honestly, without fraud, without vio-