Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-01-20


itself in the breasts of northern freeman, and that
the free north is not to be made a hunting ground
for the slaves of the South. We ask to be admit
ted to an equal participation in the common inner
itance and common acquisitions Of the country,
and are content to leave with every people the set
Element of its own domestic relations in its own
way. But we are told that slavery must not be
confined to its present limits, and that there shall
be no more slave Territories or slave States. The
day may come, perhaps it will be too late, when
our northern brethcren will dscoverIthat the south
ern States intend to lie equals in the Union, or
independent out of it,"
OF all the messages we have seen, that of Gov.
Bingham of Michigan is most decidedly anti-sla-
very its rpirit. He dovotes considerable space tie
the question, and evidently deems it one of such
importance us not to be overlooked. We extract
from it the following.
THAT the question of slavery in this country
cannot b~e!settlcd by legislative compromises recent
events have fully demonstrated. The compromise
measures of 1850 were expected to give peace to
the country, and by many even believed to have
done so, but there has been no real peace since
their passage. They were even acquiesced in by
many who hoped that the large concessions made
by them would satisfy the %grasping demands Of
slavery, and that the country would find repose.-
NhNaH II y ihhh NioNBBO'hNNNs ~ ~
gitive Slave act and the mode Of enforcement
awakened the deepest seusibilities of The people of
the free States. They have teen reused to a still
higher pitch by the repeal Of the Missouri prohib-
ition.
"Originally the American policy excluded sla-
very from all national territory. Next the Nilsson
ri compromise tolerated the increase of slave states
carved out of slave territory, on the condition of
excluding the evil from all north Of $50 30\ by pro-
hibition. Then, by the Utah and New Mexico
acts, free territory, made such by foreign law, was
converted into slave territory, and now faith is
broken and solemn pledges are broken order that
soil, from which the curse was excluded by a law
which has been well understood and regarded as n
compact for thirty-four years, shall be converted
into slave soil.
1.-THE people of the free States are now satisfied
that the question is of an Importance paramount
to that of every other, and that!the efforts of patri-
OTIS can be directed to no higher object than n real
and permanent settlement of it. That such a per-
nanent settlement is practicable, | believe. That
it can be effected without dishonor to either, and
country, | am thoroughly convinced. The princi-
pie of such settlement should be the divorce of the
general government from slavery.
Neither Congress nor the President should take
any part in upholding or extending such an evil.
Without any interference whatever with the inter-
nal concerns of the Sta es, not committed by the
Constitution to the supervision of Congress or the
Executive, the power ana influence of both depart
ments should be exerted for the enlargement
of freedom rather than for the extension of sla
very.
There should be no slavery in the District o
Columbia-none in national territories no slave
catching under national law-no slave trade il
American vessels allowed, or regulated " acts 0
Congress-no slave auctions under process of fed
erar courts. These things done, the example ant
influence of the national government would be oil
the side of freedom, and the power of reason anC
the force of sympathy might be safely reieC
upon to bring about universal emancipation.
Il respectfully recommend the consideration o
this subject to the legislature, in order that the pc
sition of the Estate may be fairly expressed
The people of Michigan are represented in thu
Senate of the United States by two great men
both of whom voted fer the repeal of the Missouri
, prohibition.
Il submit to the legislature the expediency o
instructing them to vote for and urge the passag
of such measures as are intended to restrict an,
denatlonalize slavery. Their repeated declaration
Of readiness to abide the will of the State will
suggest to them the ~propriety of either obeyin!
the instructions or all0wigg the wishes Of the PEG
pie to be represented by others.
Permit me to say, before taking leave of thi
subject, that the rapid strides which slavery ha
/ made Of late, its bold encroachments upon FIRE,
soil, and the still holder schemes which it nour
ishes; have seemed to require this notice at m,
hands. Like some other free states, Michigan ha
" 'NNp e'' 'oiNihS htCiCo III w HuCotiOh. IL
reference to it the heart Of the people is sound
their purpose steadfast. And believing this to b
their will, it is our duty, as their representative
E to resort to all the constitutional means in on
power to counterfeit this dangerous p~olicy--a pol
! icy hostile to the interests of the state-disturbin
the internal tranquility of the couutry--unfriendl
to the Constitution and the Union.
"For several years past the subject of a home
stead law has been fully discussed by the Amer
can people, and but little doubt is entertained tina
e the correctness of its policy has boon settled an
approved by the public Judgment. The Congress
of the United States has hitherto failed to give e
e feet to the popular will. Your predecessors passe
2 Il joint resolution indicative of the sense of tn
e people of Michigan upon that subject, and l re-
!, commend a similar expression on your part in f
i vor Of the passage of a bill granting to every hea
of the family, who is a citizen of the United State
i one hundred and sixty acres of land of the publ
8 domain, npon condition Of settlement and cultiv'
e ton for a number of years"