Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-01-13

PROCEEDINGS
or THE
ANTI-SLAVERY CONVENTION,
AT FAIRFIELD, MICH,
Held Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 30 and 81, 1854.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON,

In accordance with previous notice, the Conven-
ton met and was organized by the appointment 81
the following persons MS officers;
Presidcnt-Elder j. THOMAS.
Vice Prcs.-J. French.
Secretary-Jacob Walton.
Business Committee "A. T. Toss, II. L. Russell.
John A. Knapp, Thomas Chandler, James Bar
naby.
Financial Committce-Joscphipe S. Grif6pz,
Nelson Smith.
The President, on taking the Chair, addressed
the meeting in a few remarks, expressing his hope
that the Convention would DO conducted in a pro-
per spirit, and would be promotive of the bost in.
terests Of the bondman.
A. T. Foss, on behalf of the Business Corhnit-
tee, offered the following resolution, which was ao'
copied, (see No. l of series of Resolutions NJ.
pended)
Mr.. Foss then proceeded to address the meeting
in defence Of the principles Of the resolution. He
claimed that the United States Constitution gives
guarantees to slavery--that the nation, in its adop-
ton and formation, so designed it-as is proved by
the history of the times, and confirmed by all it's
legal interpreters and administrators ever since
the commencement of the Government. lie main
hhOu iu''hS' t""t t"S 'hhBu"EO - az
ton is strictly in accordance with its spirit ard
intention. lie analysed the pro-slavery clauses II
the Constitution, showing their infamous character,
and the inconsistency of those, who, protesting to
be friends of the slave, yet give their cuuhtenanes
and support to an instrument that rivets his
chains. lie appealed to the people to stand out
side of the Constitution and Government.
After prayer by Mr.. French, the meeting all
,ourno d 10 I,lcp,et n - tbo oroo;z
EVENING SESSION.
The meeting opened by the singing Of a be.u.r-
full song by c. S. s. and Us. Grifing.
The President, Mr.. Thomas, then took the stspd.
in opposition to the resolution before the Conven-
ton. He thought there were reasons for believing
that those who adopted the Constitution did not
design to favor slavery-referring to the Ordinance.
of 'SI as proof Of the anti-slayery feeling of the
nation at that time. lie claimed that, rs the word
slave is not in the Constitution, and that the law.
of the slave States never recognize the slave as a
person, and that, consequently, the fugitive slave
clause, and the others called pro-sIavery, all Of
which speak Of persons, cannot refer to slaves.
lie also claimed that that clause in the Constitu-
ton which requires that Congress shall secure to
the States n republican form of government, would
abolish slavery if carried out, as slaves could not
exist under a republican government.
james Barnaby next addressed the meeting. Ho
referred to the history of the u. s. Government.
and people,--the inconsistency Of those who FORM
cd the G~overnment,-the influence that the slave
power excrted in forming our institutions tho
utter recklessness of the nation in its course in de-.
Tending and extending slavery,-its perfdy, 40
shown in the Florida War, and that wagsd against
Mexico, and recently, in the destruction Of Grey
town. lie replied to the positions of Mr.. Thomas
claiming that the clauses of tho Constitution
supposed to refer to slaves and slavery, wers clear
~ descriptive OF that class Of persons, leaving no
room Tor doubt. MIR. Thomas was mistaken a. to
the laws OF the South always regarding slaves as
chattels and never as men. Under these laws tho
slave has a two-fold character. They hold him re-
sponsible ms n personals a man. In the Southern
States, numerous crimes are defined which, when
committed by q slave, doom him to death, perhaps
by torture yet when committed by a white per.
son, SUBJECT him to but q trifing penalty. Does
this look like denying that the slaves are personsf
A slave is described in law dictionaries and others
as n perpetual servant,-a person in the absolute
pc ger of a master" lie showed further, tina.
slaves may exist under a republican form of Gov
@'N'p "i NhS icpuDilto VI u WOTlu,
ancient and modern, have held slaves. The term
republican government does not, and never did,
imply equality among the people, or the freedom
OF all. lie read q number of definitions Of the
word republic, from the highest authorities, con.
lirming his position.
Mr.. Thomas inquired how the Garrisonians pur.
pose to abolish slavery.
Mr.. Foss replied. He said, our fret duty il not,
to free the slave, but to do our duty. If We all do,
this, the right will triumph and the slave be free.
lie showed that the past policy of tho Government
had strengthened, instead of opposing slavery :
and that a different course must be adopted. He
claimed that the course of the Free Soil and Re-
publican parties, who did not object to sending. :,
back the fugitive slave, but merely opposed the :
present manner Of doing it, was far from the true
one. A public sentiment can and must be created |
by the preaching of the whole truth, such ~ will d
trample upon all pro-slavery constitutions and en-
actments, and make it impossible for the slave.
holder to carry back his flying victim, or even 10
visit q Northern State, and in the end, will drive
the hateful system from the land.
Mr.. Lowrie, having expressed a desire TO speak
in defence Of the United States Constitution. was,
invited to the platform, but declined speaking on
account of the lateness of the hour.
After a song by the Grif6ngs, and prayer by
Elder Thomas, the meeting adjourned.
SUNDAY MORNING.
The Convention assembled. Prayer by Mr..
French.
James Barnaby addressed the meeting on the
subject of prejudice against color. He dwels at
some length on the wickedness and meanness of
this prejudice. He spoke of the noble traits Of
the black mans characteristic many instances Of
superior intelligence exhibited by colorsd sen,~
when opportunity has beer afforded they, and
even without opportunity, and in spite Of. oppesi-:.
ton. He referred to the popular sAagches, the
American Tract Sncietu md Snndau GcHnni Iin;nu