Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-04-14

tTe unWlllnB 10 rDpfOVe them ana they seldom do
so except in cases of obvious dereliction of duty
Such too, is the tendency of men in public life
They look with too much favor upon the actions
of their predecessors. striking illustration Of
this fact manifested at the recent session of
Congress.
The Ten million Compromise Bill Of 1850, by
which Congress agreed to pay the debt of Texas
was at the time of its passage and since well
derstood to have been one Of the most corrupt
transactions which ever disgraced our national er.
islature. Both history and popular opinion repre-
sent 1t as having passed., by undisgused moral bri-
berry In my opinion Congress ut its late session
should have repealed that Infamous law, stricken
it from our Statute book. ard left Texas to pay her
debts MS the people of Ohio pay theirs. But the
members appeared willing to sanction this most
iniquitous fraud upon the people because former
Congress had pcrpetrated it.
Such was also the case of the appropriate till
to carry into effect the award Of the joint commits
sion TO determine the claims of our citizens upon
the British Government Almost the only claims
presented by this government in behalf Of
slave-dealers who had lost possession of their hu-
man chattelS in consequence of their landing on
British soil. Our Government appeared before
that high court the agent, attorney, and solci-
tor for those huckstcrs i'll human flesh, who deser-
we'd the halter and gallows instead Of the protec-
ton Of our nation
The act was not merely disgracerul to those who
administer the government but it reflects dishonor
ization Of the age in which we live.
In my opinion Congress should have rcpudiated
this act of the President and discarded all rartci-
patton in a transaction rejecting such dishonor
upon the American character. But instead of do
ing this the House of Represent. tyes passed the
bill sanctioning the Presidents policy without en-
animation or discussion and without permitting
the yeas and nays to be recorded. | was therefore
constrained to present my protest in order to pre-
vent your becoming involved in n tacit approval Of
slave-dealing transaction, hereafter to he regard
ed by civilized nations as highly disreputable to
our nation. 1t is due to you well myself to
say that put forth such efforts was in my pow
er to prevent this consummation of Il policy pros
titutng our national influence in favor of com
mercc in human flesh. For opposing it in 1912,
was publicly censured and driven from scat in
Congress. You returned me to that body with ex
plict instructions to maintain my opposition to a
measure revolving to humanity In all thochan-
ges which have occurred since that day, being
period Of thirteen years, have not failed to obey
your instructions. Nor have | at any time ceased
20 watch the efforts of the executive on that sub
iect The hill referred tn was not reported in the
ordinary manner and printed. But was suddenly
and unex pectediy introduced under suspension
If the rules, and was carried through to its final
passage protected from discussion by the previous
question.
| have been more particular in my remarks on
this subject for the reason that while the late Con
the federal government IN the support Of slavery
the people have reused themselves to the work of
regeneratng and purifying the government from
this unconstitutional pervcrsion Of its powers
The popular mind appears conscious that govern
ments are instituted among men to secure all (un-
der their exclusive jurisdiction lin the enjoyment
of life liberty, and the pursuit Of happiness" and
not to sustain the slave trade or slavery. may
say without the fear Of contradiction that this doc
trine for which was driven from Congress thirteen
pears since, is recognized and avOwed by the
people of every free State Of the union-Culit0r
MIA alone excepted.
Never, at any period of our history since the
revolution, have the people Of our nation exhibit
ed such evidences Of determination to carry into
practical operation the great truth that "all men
are endowed by their Creator with the inalienable
Irigit to IJe, liberty and happiness" 1t is a pleas
ing reflection that you with the people OF the
western Reserve" have been prominent and ac-
tive laborcrs in this work Of reforming govern
ment. ! would acknowledge my gratitude to God,
and thanks to my fellow-citiZens, for the privilege
Of participating in this work. While looking back
can see many errors in my political life, which
would gladly correct, | am not conscious of hav-
ing uttered Il word, put forth an effort in favor
If down-trodden humanity, which | would at this
time recall or modify. The most important por-
tun of my life has been employed in advocating
what believe to be your views, your wishes your
Iinterests-the interests of mankind: and now in
my age, | am permitted to see the doctrines for
which you and SO long struggled, become pnpu-
lar in every State of our nation. Indeed, they
now constitute the avowed principles and policy cf
every free State. | am conscious of the deep feel
ing with which you must have watched this pro-
gress of truths so dear to the heart of every pat
riot. | feel an abiding confidence that they will
become more and more popular; that they will eX-
ert greater and greater power, until our nation
shall be redeemed from all oppression.
1t may be expected that | would express my
views upon another subject before close this short
address,
During the canvass Of last autumn, new secret
political organization suddenly spread over New
England and extending west, planting itself in
all the free States. OF the original design of this
organization we cannot speak it is shr0uded in
mystery. | regarded it as screen-a dark wall
behind which members Of old political organi-
cations could escape unseen from party shackles,
and take n position, according to the dictates
of judgment and conscience. With this belief
have treated it with forbearance.
But whatever may have been its original design
it has now become evident that many of its mem
bers, and in some States majority are endeavor-
ing to turn its influence in favor of oppression-to
silence the voice Of freedom in the northern por-
ton of the Union-to induce the people of the
free States to remain silent while Slavery shall
establish itself in Kansas and Nebraska. We are
to stand mute, and permit new slave States to be
admltteu 10 the UnlOni with their slave fepreSen
tatives in Congress-while, under the protection
of Congressional enactments boys and girls are
bred or..market in Washington City, and publicly
sold in the barracoons of the National Capital.
! This effort to guide the organization with its in
huence to sustain Slavery, appears to me like the
last resort of servlity in the free States 1t mus
and will be promptly met. 1t will be ferreted out
driven from its hiding places, and exposed to the
contempt and detestatOn of mankind. l would
not apply these remarks to the friends of freedom
who from honest motives united with the society
alluded to. and who maintain their love of liberty
their hatred of oppression. In them | haye con
fdence. | do not believe they can be led captive
by the artfces exerted to convert them to the
support OF Slavery. refer explicitly to that por
ton of the organization who, while they attempt
to excite the apprehensions of the people lest few
foreigners shall trample our own liberties would
continue in force the statutes of Congress- by which
men and women, born and bred on American soil