Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-03-31


defend him or not, that would depend entirely on
circumstances. If believed my defence would
prove effective | might exert it. But sir before l
go further let me ask you. have you done even
ttiSF Have you ever placed the deadly weapon
IN the hands OF the flying b~ondman2 Have you
endeavored to nerve him up to tho defence of his
own humanity? Have you ever told him you
would defend your own liberty while you could
WELD II weapon? Please give categorical answers
to these questions You indeed misrepresent facts.
You say, "he helpless man inroked my oid," levi
IDENTIFY meaning my assistance in defending him.
Not so. l stated that be came to consult me US a
idsrye', he sought my advice not my defence Of
him. ! gavo him what he sought. lie armed
himself he protected his liberty, he maintained
his manhood. His object was effected, and so was
mine, no law, no constitution was violated, nc
right was t~rampled upon. The man is now enjoy
ing his freedom whilo you assail mo for put
ting him in the way to effect his own emancipation,
because it was not done in your way. And permit
mo to say, that in my opinion it you and all the
friends of humanity would arm the fugi:ives, en-
courage them to defend themselves rs they have
the most obvious right to do under the "higher
law" under the Constitution and under the law of
90. | think few, very few would be carried back
to bondage.
You say land these he informs his hearers, are
the opinions of the Anti-Slavery party" You
have no right to thus misreprcsent me. did not
speak of, or for tho Anti-Slavcry party. I stated
at the outset, that l would speak 'Me Northern
sentiment prcraihng in the free states so Jar as /
understood it," Having quoted Mr.. Gerry, when
he declared in convention that slavery was a
state institution, that whilet tho federal government
had no jurisdiction over ii. We should be careful
to lend it no sdnction," l added 'Me .feemen Of
tie free States intend carrying ont his doctrine" /
did not say the anti Siarery party intended it. l
did not speak of the Anti-Slavcry party, and l
continued to speak Of the 'people Of tie free States
and not of the Anti-Slavery party. In saying
'our people," | include the great mass of our
northern population and when in the course OF
my remarks, | used the pronoun, "rc' l refer.
red, to the people, the whole people of the north
crn states, as did at the commencement, and the
instance l gave of my own personal advice to the
slave was given merely as an illustration of the
popular feeling.
Now, sir I may be in error, my views of the
Constitution may be wrong, all | can say is, that
my opinions have been formed after long invcsti.
CATION and much thought, and whether right or
wrong, they are the convictions of my heart. III
you or any other person dissents from them, ]
have no right to assail you for it, l respect you as
honest men, and will courteously interchange SEN
timents with you. Ii you possess higher, more
enlightened views than | do, 60 forward, WELD
them for humanity, make war on oppression in
precisely the mode which your own judgement die
tates. Strike for liberty, wage uuccasing battle
against Slavery. While you are cnnnonading the
common enemy will discharge the small arms
ut my command into the thickest ranks. I will so
far rs l can disable him but rest assured my
dear sir, that | will not turn aside to commence n
fire upon you; nor will l attempt in the heat of
battle to dictate to you the manner in which you
shall carry on this warfare. l have neither time
nor disposition to enter into contest with any friend
of freedom, ! pI efer to exert what power | posses,
against the enemies of liberty. l may not be able
to think your thoughts to speak your words or tc
do your work. God has intended you to perform
that duty. Were l to lay aside my own judge
ment in order to carry out youi views my iden
thy would cease. | should become q collateral MP
p.ndagc to yourself. / should no longer be a man
Very respectfully,