Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-09-08
REPORT OF DISCUSSIONS
AT THE
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WESTERN A. s,
S0CIE ETY.
FIRST SESSION.

FIRST SESSION.
The following Preamble and resolution were Of.
fered by Isaac Trescott
Whereas, The Idol which the American people
bow to, and call God, having projected, protected
and instituted American slavery--having engraft-
ed it into the Government of the United States rs
one OF her most prominent institutions, we hold
him responsible for the very existence Of coun-
try's despotism for the kidnapping Of the sons of
Africa, and staining the Atlantic with their dead
responsible for daily overworking millions of his
children, and daily robbing them of their wages;
numbering Indians Mexcans and natve-born citi-
2ens; violating compacts, eradicating the demarca-
tions between virtue and dabolism in order to ex-
tend the area of human chattelism, therefore,
Resolred, That we earnestly urge. all the friends
of human rights, to break SO far as possible the
power Of this Idol, and destroy his revelations and
enactments as enemies to human happiness.
S. S. Foster said he did not like the resolution
One objection to it is, that it is not clear. 1t can
be misunderstood. 1t would look to many like a
blow at the Bible. If it was intended to say that
the only effective way to overthrow slavery is to
destroy the Bible, this should be plainly stated in
direct terms. as Distinctly as we decpre our posi-
ton against the Church and Government.
lie would, however, vote against the resolution,
if it was explicit on this point. He thought it un-
necessary, even if true 1t is not necessary to the
overthrow of slavery that belief in the Bible
should be destroyed, slavery is not sustained by
that belief.
Mr.. Trescott. 1t is not the Bible but the con-
struction given to it by the American people that
the resolution is intended to condemn.
Mr. Foster, said lie had then mistaken the reso-
Inf 1vhi fhoti ioI1a 70 bo
misunderstood, and hence Objectionable on that
ground. We are of various opinions as to the
Bible. Let us all have our views. His own views
probably did not differ from those of his friend
Trescqtt. lie saw in the meeting Minister who
receives the Bible as infalliSle and he thought it
not just to such persons the cause, to bring on
our platform this subject or any other which does
not necessarily belong there lie had generally
found those abolitionists holding the views of Mr..
Trescott the most devoted and efficient friends OF
the slave. But he thought it moi necessary or best,
to attempt to commit the Western Society to views
which many of its members did not hold and
which we're not necessary to carrying forward our
movement
Saml Myers said he agreed with friend Foster
He thought principle did not require to take the
position of the resolution and that we would gain
nothing by its adoption.
M. r. Robinson, said he did not clearly under.
stand the resolution hence should vote against il
in its present form.
Isaac Trescott, said a resolution similar to that
before the meeting had occurred to him yesterday
as he rode along to his home lie did not know
that it clear, but he thought the subject matter
of it legitimate on the Anti-slavery platfarm. L
does not touch the question of the inspiration o.
the Bible. 1t only refers to the American con
sruction which is certainly made to favor slavery
and is great obstacle to the progress of our cause
lie did not know as the resolution what We
wanted but he desired to have the subject come uE
in some shape.
b. s, Jones, said the fact that the resolution is
understood differently by different persons here, i,
a good reason against its adoption in its present
| form.
Elwood Patterson thought the resolution assumed
more than is true. 1t is buta part of the American
people that hold such views as are attributed tC
the whole Of them in the resolution. A large body
believe slavery to be the sum of all villany, ant
that the Bible so teaches.
! On motion of James Barnaby the resolution wa
referred to the business Committee.
Resolutions 2 and Of the series, then came W
for discussion.
A. NJ. Powell of New York addressed the meet
ing. lie said he found himself for the first tim,
amongst Western Abolitionists lie had lonl
however, been familiar with the fidelity and oar
nestness of the men and women engaged in ou
movement in the West, and he felt acquainted
with them. Our cause is common cause-tha
of bleeding humanity; and wherever its advocates
may have their abiding place we are one in labo
and in sympathy.
He liked the Resolutions before the meeting
Truly we should place ourselves in the slaves po
sition if we would realize the wrongs he is doom
ed to suffer We are laboring, as the resolution
assert, for the overthrow of slavery, wherever j
exists Let us then be willing to enter into tn
most eranest enquiry,--to look at all sides Of tn
question. Slavery is our common enemy.
meets us in all places i: effects in varioas way
and hence the necessity that every American o
whatever class, condition or color should thorough
iy investigate its character.
This nation stands before the world the unblush
ing defender of the yilest system of oppression
that ever saw the sun, and all this while profess
ing to be the most enlightened, moral and chri
tian people in all the world