Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-09-27
The Chief Magistrate cfo Free People needs no
.,. necessarily be a Nan.

A slave in Virginia away from his master
and coming to the Potomac he swan over it oppo
site the city of the Capitol. And seeing before
him q large white mansion, he thought he would
boldly approach the door and ask for refreshnent
and refuge from his master, who he knew would
soon he in pursuit of him. So knocking ut the
door, it was opened by ackey, to whom he told
his story, and asked for admission. But the lack
ey hestated when he knew that it fugitive
slave who stood before him, and kept plying HIM
with questions, while he mediated what to do
But q parsonage who had seen the slave approach,
and had overheard the object of his visit, put his
head out of an upper window, and asked him what
he wanted.
Then the slave, looking up, said I am fug
tive from one who calls himself my master. am
weary and hungry, ana having swan the river,
wish to rest here while and dry my garments
and get little to eat. For it is long way tt
CaEada and must rest where can, and depend
on charity for food, for | have money, and ex
pect that my master will be in pursuit o.
me-
per window, said This is the last place in the
world tor a fugitive slave to find refuge. This it
the Presidents House, and am the President o.
the American Union, land democratic President
too, and my chief business is to catch just sucf
fellows you.
And the slave, looking up, said That cannot
be- for see yonder Capitol the flag of liberty
Elitrering With stars, and the eagle, with wide
spread wings. holds in his tolons the arrows iata
TO tyrants. Surely every man within the shadow
of the Capitol must be worthy of carrying such Q
banner. .....
How smpl you are, saia the President. Tha
flag only signifies that this land is the home OF the
oppressed of all matt ms except its own. We use
il when march against fugitive slaves. Ii IL
the same that hoated over the soldiers Of the
army Of the Union, when they were called out tt
recapture Anthony Burns
Who was Anthony Burns ? sniI the fugitive.
Anthony was a runaway like yourself, said the
President. lie not only away from his mas
ter, but from his Church. He got away as far as
Boston, and there one of my officials trapped him
and rs the fanatics Of that city tried to him
ordered out good part of The army and navy tC
hold him: and by great outlay of national treas
ure he was held, and returned to the lash of his
master; and, by the blessing of God. to the very
Church from whose Gospel he bad tried to escape
So you need not try to do the same thing. coulc
send out, in less than hour, the military force
of half the Union, and the prayers Of mutitude
of cergymen, for your recapture. am the grea
guardian of our domestic institutions. The UniUi
is great institution for catching tugitves, anc
my function is to marshal ali the hounds, the twO
legged and four-legged, in the chase.
Then leaning forward from the window, anC
rubbing both hands in sight of the slave, he con
tinued: You need not come here for refuge | an
the man who executes the Fugitive Law, of whic
know you have heard. And do it with alacri
ty. 1t is natural to me L like 1t. have me
thing Of the bloodhound in my own composition
and something of the turkey-buzzard. Do no
come to me for displays O: humanity. | am not
man. but a President-a democratic President. 81
away with you, or will myself take you back t
your master.
The Slave answered: If had known that thi
was the house of the President would not hav
asked for charity here. But thought it was tn
house of a man. So turning on his heel he f1e
hastily away, and the President shut the window
and the lackey the door, each in great disgust.