Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-08-12

FRIEND MAY: | reached home yesterday, from
my western tour, having spent little more than
three months Ill the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illi-
nois, Wisconsin and Michigan, and in the Journey
out and back. Most of this time was passed in
Wisconsin. | have travelled more than $500
miles, and lectured about hundred times, gene
rally to good and sometimes to very large congre-
cations, for the places in which they meet. Every
where the people seemed to hear gladly the word
of anti-slavery truth, and the most radical -
utterances were generally those which drew forth
the most emphatic tones of approval. | have
never before found SO widely diffused the disposi
tion to give the advocate of Ultra Aboltionsm -
Il favourable hearing, and the determination to do
something in earnest toward working the downfall
OF slavery, as the only means Of preserving any
portion OF liberty in any part Of the land. How
much Of the manifestation of this feeling now
visible everywhere, is the result of transient
excitement, awakened by the last perpctrated
outrage of the Slave Power and how much of it
will prove, though late-awakened, to be enduring
and effective, time alone can determine but
shall be much disappointed if this late triumph
of despotism does not prove more disastrous to its
designs and hopes that any event which the great
struggle has yet brought forth. In Wisconsin,
especially the state of things appeared to me full
of encouragement to the friends of freedom. The
late decision of Judge Smith against the constitu-
tionality of the Fugitive Slave bill was every
where greeted with hearty, | might almost say
enthusiastic, approyal and everywhere the ear
nest wish, and very generally the confident hope
was expressed that the Supreme Court in full
bench would affirm the decision. The great bod y
of the people appeared to feel, as with the heart
of one man. n determination, in case of conflict
between the State and Federal Courts, to sustain
the former, no matter what the consequences
Again and again was | told that no Jail in the
State is strong enough to hold Booth for twenty
four hours, If, in defiance of Judge Smiths deci-
sion, the L. 5. Officials should again arrest and
attempt to imprison him. 1t seems as if the old
hatred of the Fugitive Slave bill had been kindled
anew to double heat and intensity by the passage
of the Nebraska bill, and has been spread. too, to
many hearts which felt it little or not at all be-
fore. am fully convinced that the open attempt
to recapture runaway slave IN any part of Wis
consin which visited would be not only u diff
cult, but perilous one. And, from all could
learn, the attempt to punish Booth for his alleged
participation in the Glover Rescue is not only
deepening the general adherence of slavery and
all its measures to promote its own extension and
augment its power but is reacting to the personal
advantage also of Booth himself us well as the
increase of his influence and strength in the State.
My stay was prolonged considerably beyond
my original intention, and ] found it difficult to
get away even so soon rs did, so great was the
eageness in all the regions visited, to hear yet
more upon the great subject. Invitations were
meeting me at various points to visit others in the
the neighbourhood. If ! could have divided my
self into three men, and multiplied my ability to
labour so that each of the three could have done
thrice as much rs could, there would have been
ample employment for them all. And never, it
seems to me was there more auspicous moment
for labour in the good cause over all the western
country, than the present. Truly "the harvest is
great, but the labourers are fcw'
have had toilsomo and fatiguing tour, but
at the same time a pleasant and encouraging
one; finding almost everywhere warm hearts and