Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-11-03
Che Anti 9laperp Bualt
SALEM ONO, NOTEMBER 8, 1855.
CHARGES AGAINST THE WESTERN ANTI.
SLAVERY SOCIETY.

CHARGES AGAINST THE WESTERN ANTI
SLAVERY SOCIETY.
In the last weeks Boston Investigator, Mr.
Joseph Barker repeats his account of the discus
sion with S. S. Foster in this place last month and
also his charges against Mr.. Foster of "insolence, .
intolerance" 'a5usc," &c.
The readers of the Bugle in Western Pennsylya.
mia, Ohio, Northern Indiana and Michigan know
Mr.. Foster aud we believe they honor him for hi,
straightforwardn1ss, his plainness of speech, hi:
uncompromising fidelity to his convictions, as ex
hibited in his fearless rebukes CT men he deem.
falsehearted and wicked, as well as in his faith
full exposure of the false positions of men whether il
intent the friends OF foes of justice. Ills life and
labors compel this tribute even from those who
may not admire his taste-approve his philosophy
or become convinced by his arguments. 1--WE think
few will agree with Mr.. Barker that che is one OIL
the most foolish and ridiculous of reasoners''
and those acquainted with the result of his labor:
must also concede him a place among the most
successful, in changing public sentiment for the
better on the subject of slavery.
Bot we did not intend a vindication Of Mr.. Eos
ter. He has made himself a character as an abo'
lit:onist and a public speaker which will stand
without our aid. We sat down only to call atten
ton to the closing paragraph in Mr.. Barker's let
ter to the Investigator. tits as follows:
81 and my family have lived here now two year:
and a half. We have attended tho Anti. Slavery
meetings, subscribed to the funds, and given every
proof our pgower that we are true and thorough b
olitionists, yet the WesternAnti-Slayery Society Las
to this hour refused to admitany of us as members.
because we think we can act politically as we'll as
otherwise against slavery, Can you give me an
instance in which bigotry and exclusiveness ave
been carried further than by these preten ded
friends Of freedom?
Yours, &c. JOSEPH BARKER.
",Salem, CoumJiana Co., (Ohio,) Oct. s, 1855.
Here are two charges distinctly preferred against
The Western Anti Slavery Society. "Bigotry" and
"reminiscences" And these are charged to exist
in their intensestfOrm.
The proof to sustain these charges is also given.
1t is this Mr.. Barker and his family have Leen
to this hour. 1.-THE Sth of October) refused admission
as members of the Society though they have
given every proof in their power that they are true
and thorough abolitionists. This refusal of mem
bership is the proof of the Society's guilt. Let VI
see what are the facts.
The Constitution of the Society, article Sd, is as
follows:
amy person by signing the Constitution shall
be considered a member Of the Society" This is
the only constitutional requisition of membership
Since the S%ociety's existence, no vote has evel
been taken on the admission or rejection of an,
person as a member. II is entirely optional will
the individual, with any and every individual
whether he shall be a member Oh no. The secreta
ry who has filled that office during the two and {
half years to which Mr.. Barker refers, inform.
us that neither Mr.. Barker nor any member of his
family has ever applied for membership in thi,
form and of course has never been refused. NJ
person has ereI Teen refused membership. The ad
mission of none has even been objected to. Ever
a STAKEHOLDER may become a member should ht
sign the Constitution.
Further, practically, the Society has been ever
less exclusive than this liberal constitutional rule
For years past it has not been governed by it, bu
has left the question of membership to be decided
by each individual for himself without requirin.
is.signature to the constitution. Whoever approve
of the object, principles and measures of the So
ciety, so far as to be willing to identify himsel
with it by cooperation, is in fact a member anC
entitled to avail himself of the privileges of mem
~bership. Mr.. Barker's cooperation has ~constitu
ted him a member. Such for our own part W,
have considered him and as such he has been mos
welcome and not to us alone but we believe alsc
to the Society generally. If he has not availet
himself of its privileges lie has but himself to com
plain of. At our annual meetings composed o
thousands of persons, embracing those of all opin
ions it has been left for each indiv dual to 'ecid,
for himself whether he was a member or n :, ant
whether he would vote on the adoption of .esolu
tons, the nomination and appointment of commit
tees, the election of off GERS and the conduct of al
the business of the Society.
Vita these facts, as q friend of the Western
Anti-olavery Society we are willing that Mr.. Bar
ker's charges and his evidence to sustain them
should 60 to the public for decision. There is an
other implied charge, in the paragraph, that O
hypocricy, but that must stand or fall with tn
Others, and with them we leave it.