Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-11-03
From Tie Anti slavery Advocate.
WHO Is RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXIS
TENCEOF SLAVERY IN THE UNITED
STATES

w hU 10 hEofON run IhE EAlo-
TENCEOF SLAVERY IN THE UNITED
STATES.
The existence in any country of such a system
of iniquity American slavery sustained by law
and sanctifed by religion, should be sufficient
ground for repudatng the government and relig-
ion of that country by all who revere God or re-
gard man.
Slavery does not merely rob man of money; i'll
robs God Of man. Slavery does not merely kid
nap mans child; it kidnaps from God, his child.
Slavery invades Gods great family, kidnaps large
numbers Of its members and at once annihilates
all their relations to Cod all their claims to be re-
garded of his family, and yokes them with the
beasts of the field, physically intellectually, So
cially, morally, and rehgiously.
The steam-engne is fed with wood the horse
with hay, the slave with hominy, and all for the
same oblect-to create the power of action. How
to obtain the most work at the least expense is
er serious problem with all who employ these
various machines. In some parts of the United
States, coal is best and cheapest Cor the steam-en-
gine, in others, wood. One class of farmers pre-
Ter a small, hardy breed of horses, because they
are kept at less expense, though capable of less
work. Others think the loss of dearer feeding is
more than made up by the larger amount Of work,
and so they prefer the superior breed of horses.
On the same principle are the feeding and treat
ment of slaves calculated. y few years ago, the
question of whether slaves were more profitable,
when well fed and cared for or the reverse, was
gravely discussed, both in public and private
Some contended that hard driving and low feeding
were profitable, even though involving tho early
loss of "thc STOCK" and the necessity of purchas-
ing or raising "new gangs" Others held that
more careful management so as to prolong life,
was better, even though it incurred the risk OF
sometimes having old slaves to support when past
labor. This question is still debated.
In some places, cotton seed has been mixed with
corn to feed the slaves. In Georgia it was found
by experiment, that onefourth cott0n-seed did not
seriously affect "the stock" The onehalf cotton
seed tried: still the slave could labor. But T
trial of threefourths cotton-seed provad fatal. 1t
is thus that steam engines, horses, and slaves
held and treated machinery. Should any one
discover way to propel the steam-engne by elec-
tricity, at fourth or tenth part the expense of
wood or coa, he will take his place in history by
the side of Watt and Fulton. But how much more
worthy Of eminence would he be thought by slave
holders, could he invent mode of keeping
their animated machinery in good and permanent
working condition, by galvanism, without the aid
of corn or coton-seed. Such discoveries as these
would bring the golden age to steam boat and rail
road companies. No more fuel would be bought;
neither would Shareholders spend any more money
in feeding slaves. Intellectually and socially, as
well as physically, the slave and the horse are
placed on the same level. In America we "Jredk'
the colts and "hdndy the steers" The meaning
is, we teach them to work. This is absolutely
needful. The animals are useless till this is done.
1t is exactly so with the slaves. Whatever is nee
essary for the owners interest is taught them, and
nothing more. Oxen cannot learn to read slaves
need not. So no pains are taken to teach either.
Socially, the rule is the same. The lamb is
sold from the sheep, the calf from the COW, and
the slave babe from the mother at the pleasure or
caprice of the owner. In neither case is sire or
dam, father or mother, consulted. Cattle cannot
make marriage contract-slayes must not. And
SO they are alike herded and housed together.
t., o1,,o lov
observed. The will Of the owner is the supreme
law. The horse is scourged and so is the slave;
and for the same reason, to enforce obedience
True, the slave is told of future retribution; but
heaven and hell are set before him merely as the
consequences of obedience disobedience to his
master. / have in my possession many sermons
as well as some catechisms for slaves, by most en-
inent southern divines;andl only make this fearful
statement after having read these productions care
fully. Nobody doubts that these motives would
also be urged upon the intractabe horse or OK,
were he, like the slave, capable of being Influenced
by them If the poor brutes could be moved like
the slave by such threat, then would the dread
| of future fire and birthstone be superadded to the
lash and goadstick.
Thus it is clear that neither physically intelloc-
tuay socially, morally, nor religiousy, is The
slave esteemed above the beasts that perish. 50
terribly does slavery hurl its victims from their
high estate among the morning stars, from their
native home, not in Africa, but among the sons OF
I God
What outrage, what sacrilege can compare with
this? Immortal man, doomed to live and die the
life and death of Il dog Reverse the ORDER and
it would not be so impious. Lift the dog to lev
with man. Carry him through every form OF hui
man experience, and of the ordinances of the
church. When he dies, sing over him solemn
requium, and toll the funeral knell Say that you
hone he is now before the throne crowned with
immortal honOurs, decked wtS eternal glory. Do
all this, and, shocking it seems, it would be IN,
nocence ITSELF compared with the outrages inflicted
on the hest-used slave.
All these mockeres have not harmed the dog
1t may be most daring, insulting impiety and bias
, phemy towards God to attempt to lift brute to
3 the level of immortal man-even to thrust hlm up
wards to the heavenly abode itself, to companlon
ship with angels and sanctifed spirits But how
9 much more awful is the act when man is torn
from his high estate, his fellowship with the Faith
, err his kindred with all divine exstences, ant
: hurled down to q level with the brutes : mar
I made in the image Of God, and touched with M
a immortal fire; destined to an unending existence
\ and capable of development and expansion unti
the meanest slave who tolls to-day shall exceed nj
i that Gabriel has yet attained; and will even thel
l. but have entered upon the growing greatness
\ and glory which are still before him The puny
attempt to exalt brute beast to an immortal lev
/. e cannot compare with the niquty OF sacrilegous
= ly plunging Gods own image and brightness dow
t, among the meanest Of its works.
% And yet this is to-day the condition OF nearl
four millions Of men, and children in the Unite
G. States Other myriads have fulfilled their drear
l. doom, and have disappeared from the earth; an
b who can tell how many millions more may yet