Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-03-03
Che Anti 5loprrp Bualr.
SALEM, ono, MARCH 3, 1854.
THE LANE

The document we publish on cur first page, pre-.
pared by the s~ocoding Lame Seminary Students of
1884, has an intrinsic value, ms a clear and able
argument for tie right of free discussion. which
makes it no less important now, then il was TWEEN
y one years ago. For this right we have vet to
battle. This first claim of freedom is not vet con-
coded. Nowhere in all the slave States is the
right admitted, and only here and there. in the
Northern and Western States. And with her last
dying gasp, when her end shall come, slavery will
deny this right, and culver impotently in its def.
ance.
The action Of the students as the indicators of
this right, against the encroachments of popular
and powerful combinations, marks their secession
an era in the history of freedom in this land.
The history Of this event is most instructivo'
The Seminary commenced its existence under the
most favorable auspices. 1t was well endowed
and ably Offered, and from the beginning up to
the time of this secession, some two years, was
crowded with students Of the first character. DR..
Beecher just fresh from his contest with New
England Unitarianism, was called to preside over
1T and direct its successes. In that contest, in the
estimation of his fricod and sympathiscrs, he was
emincutiy successful. Whether his successes
- Nv SH''HutCus VIC are not SuInclcntlV aC-
quainted with the theological history of those
times to say. But in his estimation this great la
Dor accomplished-all cuvcred, with the laurels of
victory he addressed himself to another kindred
purpose, which now lecame The absorbing object
OF his hie-the establishment of q modified and
more liberal Calyini>m-which he designed should
supercede that rigid ard uuc~ompromising species,
which was tine glory OF the old PurItans and the
Scottish Covenanters; and OF their lineal dcscen.
ants, the New England orthodox congregation
lists, aud the Western Presbyterians. The freer
and more imrrcssible West, was selected as the
theatre of this effort and Lane Seminary as the
controlling central point of its operations. To
this point and for this purpose DR.. Bccclcr brought
all his experience, his tact. talent and energy. On
its success, in his estimation depended Gods
glory and the worlds salvation. In this object
the students of the Seminary sincerely aad heartily
sympathized and the work was moving successfully
forward.
But then, to test the men and the cause. came
up the great question Of the age, the question Of
justice to our millions of slaves. DR.. Beecher, more
a theological stategist than a moral hero, while he
recognized the justice of the slaves claim and felt
the yearnings of sympathy in his behalf, quailed
before the power of public opinion and finally
Joined with it. conn lacenlly resolving to draw
out Leviathan, his hook, so c%raftily baited. with
rev school caivinism. Theological reform and
the Lane Seminary's prosperity were preferred
before justice to the slave and free speech to hi.
friends, hence the oppressive acquisitions of thu
Seminary authorities, which compelled the stu
dents either to sacrifice thei. consciences or the
benefits Of the institution. OF the other Profess
ors, Professor Calvin E.. Stowe, and Professor
Biggs, conceded with DR.. Beecher and the trus
tees while Professor Morgan now of Oberlin, cast
in his lot on this question, with the students, ably
defended them. and finally left the seminary with
them. Some thirty students left whose names are
not appended to the document, as it was not pub
lished until some time after the dispersion.
What has been the result of this iesuitical policy
which sacr.f, ed us tice and fieed,m for success?
Lane seminary can hardly be said to have had an
existence since that day. True its walls stand on
their pleasant location, and its endowed professor
ships have found men willing to take the salary
and occupy their chairs but it has never attained
even to respectable medincrity among theological
seminaries, either in the number of its students OF
in character for scholarship, talent or piety as til,
church accounts it.
And new school Presbyterianism, for whose SAX,
the slave AMI his friends were %crucifed, what haa
become of it? Dwarfed and s~hrunken,. its befor,
prosperity gone, it has become like its bigoteC
old school sister the despised handmade Of Ameri
can Slavery doing homage to and seeking its sup
port from men who traffic in the'souls Of their fel
lows. If there be any moral demonstration tina
adherence to moral principle is the highest expe
dieney, the history of the Lane Seminary if writ
ten out, will afford that demonstration.