Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-09-29
DISCUSSIONS IN THE TOWN HALL.

Last Sunday evening we attended a meetin Q
called by Mr.. S. S. Foster in the Town Hall, at
which Mr.. Joseph Barker was present, by special
invitation of Mr.. f., for the purpose of discussing
the principles and present attitude of the Republi.
can party, with reference to the Slavery CUES.
ton.
Foster occupied somewhat less than two hours
IN q most mastery exposition of the essentially pro
slavery posture of the Republican party, and a de-
fence, equally able, of the principles and measures
of the nonjuring abolitionists. As usual, his
speech glowed with burning denunciation of the
compromising disposition evinced by the acknowl-
edged leaders and organs of that party, though he
admitted, in the most frank and manly manner,
that many of them, at least, sincerely desired the
overthrow of American slavery, and would labor
morally, as individuals, outside Of The party, for the
attainment of that end, More he was certainly
not obliged to admit, as we think every candid and
and impartial person present on the occasion re.
ferred to must acknowledge. As for ourselves, we
can say conscientiously that we never attended
any discussion in which the defence was conducted
by a man of the very marked ability of Mr.. Bar
ker, an ability everywhere acknowledged, in which
there was a more utter failure to meet the issues
raised by his opponent.
Mr.. Barker frequently reiterated the expression
of his conviction that the Republican party would
do its duty in the premises, of his confidence in
the uprightness of purpose of the leaders of the
movement, ETC., etc, all of which was totally for.
eign to the question at issue. AS the opinion of a
man who has done much for the cause of human
progress it may all be very well but it was GER
tainly irrelevant and out of place in reply to accu.
sations SO distinct and definite as those made by
Mr.. Foster.
We have not room TO enter into any review oil
this discussion, but there is one point upon
which we wish to make an observation, which we
hope will be taken by Mr.. Barker in the friendly
disposition in which it is made. We were both
surprised and grieved that he should have contin
ued in a course of remark which evidently
found its especial sympathizers among the mobo
cratic portion of the audience. We shy mobo
cratic, because the applause was of that bolster on,
and obs treperous nature which never accompan;e,
conscientious conviction, while it was, moreover
confined almost entirely to the back part of the
house. Mr., Barker knows as well as ourselve,
that such manifestations could never have beer
excited against him in a meeting of disunion Abo
litionists.
We disliked particularly his appeals to the
anti-English feeling, which we dare say were
unpremeditated. Mr.. Barker must be fully aware
that this eminent is never found in conjunction
with any high moral development, and his appeal
to it was most sadly at variance with the expires
sion If profound and just contempt for the Know
Nothing organization with which he closed his
remarks. 1t is certainly unwise for reformers to
appeal, even for a good purpose, to feelings Of
national antipathy, and Mr.. Barker cannot be ig
norant of the fact that there is no other nation
against whom the Ignorant and unthinking in this
country entertain prejudices so violent as those
cherished against the English. With the intelli,
gert and moral it might be perfectly safe to speak
in the manner upon which We have been animal
yerting, and if Mr.. B. had been addressing an
English audience the whole thing would have met
with our hearty approval.