Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-01-05
Chairman Of R. S. G.. Committee of Ohio.
ReplN Of Mr.. CldY.

LOUISVILLE, Ky, Dec. 10, 1858.
Hon. A. P. STONE Dear Sir: Your favorable
consideration IN asking the opinions of one SO hum
BILE as myself. The Republicans Of the slave States
though few in number are no new party. Faith
full among the ~faithless, proof against the seduc-
tons Of Office and the threatenings of power, we
stand firm among the platform Of our fathers of
'76, in the world. wide spirit Of the Declaration.
We hold with jefferson and his distinguished CO..
temporaries-that slavery is an anomaly tx a
Republic, and against the law of God and mans
instincts of right-that justice is always the high
est expediency-that liberty and slavery cannot
co-exist-but that one or the other must die =
Whilst on the one hand we base ourselves upon
these central ideas which we inherited as our birth
right as true Republicans, we do not forget that
without law there can be no true freedom or pro-
gress. We have, therefore, studiously regarded
the high obligations of the State and Federal Con-
situations, and willingly subject ourselves to their
supremacy, even when perverted by mercenary
majorities from their true spirit. We regard those
as sufficiently anti-slavery for all political purpos-
es-as found in their own language to establish
liberty and justice-that liberty is -algtjefle}iu ARa
slavery sectional, in elaboration of VII 5d6A3 re-
fer you to the late letter of the ven4ft5l9 ii =.
Blair, the distinguished friend and coS4dcnt6f4 ads
wiser Of Andrew jackson. We are neither the ad-
vucates Of Capitalization nor disunion, but the
friends of National and State rights in the ample
spheres of progress and reform with which the
wisdom of our fathers comprised both. We there
fore believe it to be our bounden duty as good men
and true Republicans, to oppose nationally the ex.
istence of slavery, under any pretence whatever
in PLACES of exclusive National domain, by sea and
land, and to bring the moral and political influence
of the National government permanently and
firmly and a~vowedly on the side of liberty, as it has
heretofore been arayed on the side of slavery
And as the friends Of liberty have acquiesced with
out revolutionary resistance, in the rule of slave
ry. so we demand that the slavery propaganda
shall acquiesce in the new rule of liberty and law,
and they shall be justly branded as traitors to
both North and South, who counsel or act in viola
,ion Of this only possibility of popular govern
ment!
Now, sir, there are many in the slave States
ready to net openly with the Republican party
more who secretly sympathize with the movement
--ani lin my judgement) a majority of all the
South who will acquiesce in our rule. l believe
that the time has now come when the majority OIL
the American people are ready to vindicate the
faith Of our fathers in mans capability of self gov
crnment. But it cannot be disguised that this ma
jority is now fragmentary and disorganiEed. ant
it requires sagacious leadership and self-sacri6cint
patriotism to array them in successful opposition
10 the concentrated and drilled forces of the pres
ent pro-slavery administration. | think, then, you
suggestion is n good one, and that it will meet tn
views Of the whole Republican party. For tn
cake Of unity, let the first meeting at Pittsburgh
on the 22d Of February next, be as komogeniou
as possible. Then let the National COMMITTEE
open an active and conciliatory correspondence
with al the opponents Of the slave propaganda
Let Wing and Democrat-Know-Nothi and anti
Known othing- Catholic ana Pretestant-nativ
born and adopted-and all shades of opinion, b
urged by the great necessity Of Immediate and dc
eisive action, to save. if possible. the Republic fror
it threatened snlmersicn into one of the most re
~ientiess IespOtisins which has ever dlrkened tn
pages Of history:
Ny dear sir, ! know that you feel with me tn
world wide consequences Of the crisis. May tn
God Of our fathers move US to do our whole duty.
1900 am your ob't serv't,
c. NJ. CLAY.