Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-03-11

The South responded in similar strains. At q
meeting in Darien Georgia, in l77j, the following
important resolution was put forth;
ITO show the world that we are not influenced
by any contracted or interested motives, but by
general philanthropy for all mankind, of whatever
climate language, complexion, hereby decidr,
our disaTprob0tioH and abhoTreRce Of The iua,atird
practice 9f Slorery however tho unculyated state
OF the country or other specious arguments may
plead for it) q practice founded IN Injustice and
cruelty and hyhiy dangerous 10 oiw Liberties as cei
as hres, dcbasing pdrtQf our felioic creatures Jeo
mcn, and corT1pfiag Tie ririue and morals of The
rest and laying the basis Of that liberty we contend
for, and which we pray the Almighty to continue
to the latest posterity upon a very wrong founda-
ton. We therefore resolve at all times TO use our
utmost eRdeaCorS for he mdHunissiOn of our slaves
IN this Colony, upon the most safe and equitable
footing for the masters and themselves "-Am.
Areh'res, 4M Series, Foil p. ll35.
The soul Of Virginia, during this period, found
also fervid utterance through jefferson, who, by
precocious and immortal words, has enrolled him
self among the earliest Abotionists of the coun-
try In his address to the Virginia Convention Of
IVA, he openly avowed, while vindicating the
rights of British America, that "the abolition
OF domestic Slavery is the greatest object of de-
sire in these Colonies, icheye iDds Unhdppiiy in
hOduced ia Their infant stale" And then again,
in the Declaration of independence, he embodied
give Freedom to every Slave throughout the land.
I'VE hold these truths to be sefeyident," says
our country, speaking by the voice Of jefferson,
that all men are created equal that they are en-
dowcd with certain inalienable rights that among
those are life, liberty and the pursuit of happi-
ness" And again. in the Congress Of The Coz
federation, lac brought forward, as early as l7S',
resolution to exclude Slavery from all the terri
tory seeded or to be coded" By the States of tho
Federal Government including the whole territory
now covered by Tennessee, Mississippi, and Ala
bama. Lost at first by single vote only, this
measure was substantially renewed at subse-
quent day. by a son Of Massachusetts, and in
l7S7, was finally confirmed in the Ordinance of the
Northwestern Territory, by unanimous vote of
the States.
Thus early and distinctly do wc discern the
Anti-Slavery character of the founders Of our Re-
public and their determination to place the Ma
tionai Government, within the sphere of its uris-
diction, openly actively, and perpetually on the
side of Freedom.
The Federal Constitution was adopted in 1888.
Ard here we discern the same spirit The cn,-
phatic words Of the Declaration OF Independence,
which our country took upon its lips rs baptsmal
vows, when 1t claimed its place among the nations
of the earth, were not forgotten. The preamble
To the Constitution renews them, when it declares
its object to be, among other things, "to establish
justice, TO promote the general welfare, and 10
secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and
postcrity." Thus, according to undeniablc words,
the Constitution was ordained not to establish,
secure, or sanction Slavery-not to promote the
special interest Of Slayeholdcrs--not to make
Slavery national in any way, form or manner
not to foster this great wrong, but to establish
justice "-"promote the general welfare and
secure the blessings of Liberty" The discrcd-
liable words Stare and Hdrery were not allowed
to find place in this instrument while clause
was subsequently, added by way of amendment,
atn1 fhnp i,.po linz 10 Nha e
probation, particularly revealing the sentiments
of the founders which is calculated like the
Declaration of Independence, if practically APP
piled, to carry freedom to all within the sphere
Of its influence 1t was specifically declared, that
"no person shall be deprived Of life liberty, or
property without due process of law !" that is
without, due presentment, indictment, or other
judicial proceeding. Here is an express guard OF
personal Liberty, and an express interdict upon
its invasion anywhere within the national iuris.
diction.
1t is evident, from the debates on the National
Constitution, that Slavery, like the slave trade was
regarded as temporary and it seems TO have been
supposed by many that they would both disappear
together. Nor do any words employed in our day
denounce 1t with an indignation more burning than
those which glowed on the lips of the Fathers
Early in the Convention, Governeur Morris oil
Pennsylvania, broke forth in the language Of m
Abolitionist lie never would concur in uphold
ing dOhesuc slavery IL was q nefnrlOus lnstitu
tiOn. 1t was the curse of Heaven" In another
mood, and with mild jurdcal phrase, Mr.. Mad
ison Thought ii wrong to admit in the Constitution
the idea of property in man." And Washington
in his letters written near this pcriod--which com
petely describe the aims of an Abolitionist-avow
ed that it was among his first wishes to see somt
plan adopted by which Slavery may be abolished by
law; and that to this end his suffrage should no
be wanting"
In this anirit tvas tbo N,Gonoi C,ns.;t,t;o,
adopted. In this spirit the National Governmen
was first organized under Washington And herr
there is fact of peculiar Significance, to which
have already on former occasion called attention
but which is we'll worthy Of perpetual memory
at the time that this great chief took his first oatl
to support the Constitution of the United States
The national ensign nouheIe tcthin tie national Ter
rtory corered a single Slare On the sea an execra
BILE piracy, the trade in Slaves, was still, TO th
national scandal tolerated under the national flag
In the States, IA sectional institution, beneath h
shelter Of local laws, Slavery unhappily found
home. But in the only Territories, at this tint
4 belonging to the Nation, the broad region of tn,
northwest it had already by the ordinance o
Freedom, been made impossible, even before thu
adoption Of the Constitution. The District o
Columbia, with its fatal dowry, had not yet beeI
acquired.
:. Entering upon his high duties, Washington him
self an Abolitionist was surrounded by men, who
by their lives and declared opinions, were pledged
to warfare with slavery. There was John Adams
the Vice President-great vindicator and final ne
gociator Of our national ndepcndence-whose soul
flaming with Freedom, broke forth in the earl,
declaration, that "eonsenting TO slavery is sacri
! hgious breach Of trust" and whose immitigabl
hostility to this wrong has been made immortal il
his descendants. There, also, was a companion il
arms and attached friend, the yet youthful llamil
} ton, who. as member of the Abolition Society 0
New York, had only recently united in a solemn
God, are held in Slavery Jy the iaies Of the State
There, too, noblo spirit, Of spotless virtue
; and commanding influence, the ornament of huma
: nature, who, like the sun, ever held an unerrin
leourse, John Jay. Filling the important post {
Minister of Foreign Affairs under the Confederation
he found time to organize the Abolition Society {
I New York, until, by the nomination OF Washing
ton, he became Chief Justice Of the United state