Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-11-01
frem the New Yerk Eve. Post.
NO NEUTRALITY.

There is time for all things. We have perfec
faith in the optimism of history. There is not on
ly time for all things but in the directing and
wise supervision Of Providence, circumstances are
arranged and controlled 20 suit best the fa-
vourable developement and the ultimate triumph
of principles of truth and everlasting JUSTICE
All things work together for good to the cause of
humanity, social progress and Christian cviza-
toh. The delays which the impatient chide and
blame rs impediments to the advancement of man
are only checks upon the untutored and prema-
ture efforts of youth-wholesome disipne until
the vigor and strength of manhood are attained
And then. when the time and the occasion ripe
when the great principles to be developed are
ready to be promulg gated, and the people ready
to receive them, event and circumstance and what
men call accident are so arranged and disposed
that the right must triumph, and truth prevail
1t is in vain tc endeavor to anticipate this critical
epoch before its time, by artificial excitement, and
it is equally vain to try to stay its progress when
the time has come
We have reached such q period as this in
American history, We are now in the midst of IL
great revolution. 1t is idle to deny it folly to
shut eyes TO it; stupidity to gainsay it. Two
opposing fundamental ideas are engrossing
and dividing the American people. Slavery and
Freedom. And two more absorbing, far-reach
ing ideas never engrossed mankind. They involve
every question Of social and moral interest. of
,
liberty, of education. of order, of virtue, and of
government. They lie at the bais Of the entire
fabric of society, and pervade every vein and fibre
of our social system. They involve human prog
ress in commerce, industry, the arts, science, lit
erature, civilization and religion, and reach in
their consequences into the most distant future
These two ideas are at last arrayed against each
other in open conflict, without any neutral line to
divide them. They stand in each others pres
ence, and one or the other must fall. The Amer
lean people feel this. The North feel 1.-THE South
fear it. AS if by instinct, every section and
quarter understand that Kansas is the theatre of
this conflict. Men ar parties sink into insignlii
cance all other differences are laid aside, and ev-
cry one is sensible that here is an issue which,
in magnitude and interest, far transcends ordi-
nary political controversies.
Now, what we contend for is the inevitable ne
cessity of solution of the question of the extern
sion of slavery. The Great west must be peoped,
and state after state takes its place in the I'm.
ion, it must be determined whether not this
institution shall accompany them The question
cannot therefore be avolded-it cannot be post
pOned-the time has at last come when it must be
met. 1t was postponed from 1920 to 1856, but
cannot be again put of. 1t comes up now, not as
the result of artificial excitement or party machin-
atons, but arises naturally. 1t is the offspring of
events and circumstances which cannot be cOntro.
vered. There is the territory, and it must be
propose to remain neutral We answer, he who
is not for US, is against us. Neutrality is negative
opposition. Does any one esteem the question as
VI little consequence? We answer, that wheth-
er great or small, there it is, and it must be set
tied We must all choose parts. The con-
test is not one precipitated by fanatcism party
spirit. 1t the natural growth Of events, one
of those social and political problems which arise
in the history of every people, and which must
be solved. We seek to impress that view upon
all who regard the present issue as an unfortu-
nate one, tending to disturb our national peace
1t cannot be helped. 1t is anincdent to posses
sion of territory and to the flow of emigration with
it, 1t is necessary incident to the formation of
government for those territories when they shall
nssuR'e the position of states. We ask therefore,
the wise, the thoughtful, the courteous and the
prudent those who have been restrained by a
spirit Of conservatism or u belief that the present
agitation is unnecessary, to point out by what ex-
pedient the question of tho extension of slavery
can be escaped. And if it cannot if there is no
possible way of avoiding it if it must be met and
disposed of; if the shock and conflict of TWO op-
posing ideas is fixed and inevitable fact then
every high minded man must side with the righ
plant himself there and leave the result to tho Su
preme Ruler Of nations.