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

Journed ut Eve minutes before IL. A, NJ. to civ,
opportunity to tho prayer meeting, agreeing tc
meet again in so minuter in case such meeting
should not DO held.
s~rSDAY-sEcoSD SESSION.
Convention met at twenty minutes past clever
o'clock,
Z. y. 5. Grifbng offered the following prcambl,
aud resolution, (see preamble and resolution No. G,
which was accepted Ivy tho meeting, and came W
for discussion.
Mr. Gria6ng addressed the meeting upon the
pre'siavery character of tho American Churches
lilo said wo are not opposed to Government or to
Churches, as such, it is only with what is pro-sla.
very in them that we are at war. lie spoke q,
length OF tho different leading de nominations Of
The land. and showed conclusiycly their utter heart.
iessness in regard to anti-slavery, and their deyo.
ton to slavery and slavcholding, showing them ut
sorly unworthy of all countenance or su pport from
the friends Of freedom.
Mr.. Grifing spoke also iof the W~esleyan Meth.
odists, Free Will Baptists, and other professedl '
anti-slavery churches, claiming that politically
they are involved in tho guilt of slavery, MS their
members vote, some Of them with the Wing and
"hN "'hJ VI thcln WITH the Free SUll
or Republican parties; al which parties arc
Pledged to carry out the pro-slavery provisions of
the Constitution.
The Chairman took exception to what Mr.. Crit.
ing had said relative to the Free Will Baptist de.
nomination he claimed that that body is anti-sla-
very, or is striving to become SO. lilo admitted
that many members of that body had sustained the
NefslaFcae party at the last election, but that they
had voted with the understanding. generally, that
abe Us. Constitution is ar pati slaysry instrument
and one that an abolitionist can consistently swear
to support.
Mr.. Grifing responded, showing that whatever
Ghcrr opinions as to the Constitution might lie, those
persons sustained a party which Utensils the pro-
slavery compromises of the Constitution, and is
pledged to carry them out; and hencc, their posi-
rtion and action ia that party is necessarily pro-
slavery and that an this they are verify guilty
concerning their brethren in bonds.
The Chairman contcnded that the Garriscnians
were also inconsistent with their own principles,
IS they read pro-slavery newspapers, pay taxes,
and use the products of slave labor.
Mr.. Foss replied. lie claimed that the reading
of pro-slavery papers implied no support of sla-
worry, Uut euuOieu US W dtthck IL IuoTe successfully
that the paying Of taxes was involuntary-that
abolitionists pay them as they would give their
money to the highway robber, who demands money
or life. With regard to the products of slave la
Dor, Mr.. F. said that he did not see that the use of
them by abolitionists gave any criminal support to
slavery said he was open to conviction, and if
Mr.. Thomas would convince him that he was guilty
in the use Of them, he would abandon it. lie
showed, however, that there was clearly no real
support of slavery implied in any of these things
rs that which is voluntarily and clearly entered
into by those who join with the Government in the
work of sustaining the Shareholder, and giving
back to bondage the flying slave.
Mr.. Foss proceeded to speak of the character of
American religion, showing the utter hopelessness
of any vital anti-slavery finding countcnance or
support in the leading religious organizations of
the land.
Some remarks were made on the subject of f.
nance, ty Josephine S. Grifing. after which the
Financial Committee took up a collection, which
resulted in
Cash, amounting 10 Sll ,0S
Pledges, sol, 90
$32.OS
After ONE further remarks upon the subject of
the resolutions, by the President, Mcssrs. Foss,
Grifing, French and others, and Il spirit-stirring
song from the Grilings, the meeting adjourned.
EVENING SESSION.
Convention met. The President fin the Chair.
Josephine S. Grifing addressed the meeting
She spokeof the necessity of doing our duty-of
acting for ourselves in the matter of human free
dom. This should be brought home to the hearts
of the people. We have looked too much to cxtcr-
nals-to persons and institutions of great influence.
The world is cursed by forms and ceremonies. 1t
Is time we had a fixed morality. She spoke of the
peoples love for institutions, and their willingness
30 make others their victims. Yet no one would
have his family or him elf reduced to slavery
Highly rs VIC may esteem systems and cxpedients,
our idea of freedom for ourselves and those dear to
US rises far above such esteem. We all stand upon
The same human platform, and all agree as to the
character of American slavery. For We have all
the same standard of right, and every man feels
his own freedom above all the institutions of soci-
city. These at best arc but temporary; while
tights and duties endure forevor--they are I'M
changing. No circum stances can exonerate man
from tho fulflment Of the law Of his own constitu-
ton. If this be true, we cannot escape the re-
quircments IF the great law of right, which re-
quires US to do unto others as we would that they
should do unto us.
Mrs. Grifing went on to speak of the character
Of slavcry-of the suferings Of the slave. ard the
duties resting on us to withhold all countenance
and support from the hateful system. Her address
was beautiful and impressive, and was listened to
with marked attention.
On motion of Mr.. A. T. Foss, the resolutions
came up for adoption.
An animated discussion was had upon the rcso-
lutions; that offered by Mr.. Grifing especially
called forth earnest remarks from Messrs. French,
Thomas, Knapp, Grifdng, Foss, Barnaby and 9th.