Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-12-06
THE SLAVE TRADE.

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The Charleston Stamford thus begins new
and able leader in favor of reopening the African
Slave Trade:
"TnE SLAVE TRADE AND SoUTu CARoLINA.--
We mentioned the subject of Slavery on Thursday
in connection with the Democratic party. We
mention it to-day in connection with the State OF
South Carolina. We showed then that the act
Restricting the slave trade is brand upon the in
stitutions of the South that it strikes our form
Of society from tho recognition Of an enlight-
ened world shat it paralyzes the energies OF
those who would support it, that its removal
would restore to sphere of prosperity and
progress that to the South, is attributable the
triumph Of nationaism in the recent contest !;
that we can give success again; and that tho re
mOval of restrictions, therefore, is as much a
measure of interest Of duty to the Democratic
party; and we would low show that the State OF
South Carolina has direct and vital interest in
tAe qte estiCn.
The position occupy is one Of abasc-
ment. We cannot hug our institution to our
hearts, and yet concur with the General Govern.
ment in declaring the act, by which it has been
brought about, a piracy. If this form of society
be right: if in the nature Of things there can he
a union of unequal races if from that union there
comes a form OF society true to its members, and
strong for the eXigencies of perpetual progress,
there can be no wrong i'll the natural means to
such formation. 1t is the assumption OF evil in
Without this there could be no solitary word
against it. 1t would lie as logical in those who
favor matrimony to object to marriage, and prac
tically, therefore, with whatever ingenuity we dis
guise the act, we abandon the defense of Slavery
when we refuse to repudae restrictions the slave
trade. And yet to abandon the principle, but per-
sst in the practice to war like outlaws for po-
sti0n which we cannot claim the right to defend !;
or to become miserable mendicants for the toler
alton of vice which we confess to be offensive to
enlightened sense is a condition of debasemert
which we cannot disguise, and which is inconsist-
ent with the attitude and hopes Of magnanimous
people.
THAT abasementis not only unhecomng, but it
is gratuious We gain no for there are none
to defend those who will not defend themselves.
We avoid no controversy, for it is weakness and
not strength that invites attack. We are in no
helpless condition to depend upon forbearance,
for when we rose to the ISSUE swept away the
restrictions of the Missouri Compromise. By that
act of ntrepidy wc inspired respect which has
given us success in the Presidential contest; and
there is reason to believe that, if firm and true to
ourselves, we can sweep away this other structure
of federal sentim ent about the form Of our society,
and stand more assured than we can ever stand
without"
We believe sle Standard is perfectly correct in
the main point-that, if the Slave Power chooses
to demand a reopening of the African Slave Trade,
it will be gratfed. 1t has the arguments all
made to it's hand-"Popular Sovereignty" "Mind
your own business" slavery is best for the
negro" "Every community should be left free to
have slaves not it shall see iii" &c., Nc
But we don't believe the Virginia Slavebreeders
will be ready for Free Trade in negroes for some
years yet