Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-12-13
Communications.
For the AutiSlavery Bugle.
TO THE HON. J. r. GTDDINGS.

i though not one of those to whom it was addressed
I find the matter which it contains invites to a few
comments. You very truly aver that Slavery ha,
corrupted the clergy and the religion Of the
country. But the most potent instrumentality in
working this eOrruption, and one by the aid OF
which alone it could ever have been accomplished
is in your eyes so sacred that it must not only be
left undisturbed, but should receive, rs you teach,
our enthusiastic support. 1t is historically true
that at the period of the Revolution, the religious
sentiment of the country, and consequently the
teachings of its public expounders, was opposed to
the existence of Slavery. But the Constitution Of
the United States was framed, recognizing its OK
istence as one of the domestic institutions Of the
people, protecting it, and guaranteeing its safety
from internal attempts, or external efforts for its
overthrow, for SO long a time as the slaveowners
should desire or demand such protection. And
from the moment Of its adoption naturally, and
necessarily q change began to be wrought in the
religious sentiment ofthc people, and in the teach
ings of the clergy, until it became what you have
trreIy described it. | say materially, and necessn-
rily, because the pre-. existing religious belief that
'the powers that be arc ordained Of God" lent its
sanctifying influence to a system which had thus
been made the predominating interest in the gov
eminent. Religious men finding Slavery holding
this position in the government, were compelled
to defend the iniquity or give up a portion of what
constituted their religion. Indifference to tho con
.di;ion of a separate and degraded race, and the
promp,ings Of self-intorest, directed their choice
between conflicting sentiments, and they made the
government and Slavery a part of their religion,
in lieu of practical righteousness.
There needs no stronger evidence Of the corrupt
ing influence OF this idea than may be found in your
own letter, where you say'if there be any one duty
deyolving on us as citizens Of this Republic, it is to
maintain the Constitution against any and all eE-
forts to subyert it, whether these efforts are put forth
by men in Office or by foreign invaders" You are
aware that it was by foreign invaders, that the
revolutionary struggle was brought to a close as
soon and as successfully as it was done. You
know how great was the assistance afforded by
philanthropic adventures, in that contest, and
ynn know that probably il 10 only by the measures
Of the constitution, and the exercise of the phys
zeal power with which they would certainly be ex-
ecuted, that similar philanthropy is not called
into activity in behalf Of the infinitely worse con
ditioned slave. Yet with all your anti-siavery i'm
~ e"N IL gNbA NM - . ~ oHS w
that its provisions mast be carried out although at
the expense Of perpetual bondage to four millions
of slaves. and their successors. 1t seems impos-
sible to suppose that you 10 not see, and believe,
that it has only been through the guarantees to
Slavery entertained in that instrument, the system
has been perpetuated to this day, or could cox
tinue through the ensuing Eve years.
What wonder then when it has such a paramount
influence upon you, who 50 earnestly seek the over
throw Of Slavery, that the clergy, and the re-
ligious sentiment Of the people, became so cor
rupted by it, that less than thirty years ago scarce
Il voice was heard in the land in condemnation ofthe
crime? And what hope for the future when ardent
and influential leaders of the people, like yourself
propose no remedy which toleratcs the overthrow o.
the great corrupting and perpetuating cause Of the
evil
You declare 1--WE have driven the slave power
from its Northern citadels." Would to God that
this were true instead Of a most lanentable mis-,
take This ailudes undoubtedly to the success Of
the Republicans in the Northern States, in carry,
ing the local elections. But it is q fatal delusion
and an imposture, to represent that party as op,
posed to the existence Of slavery. So long as they
are loyal to the Constitution, which they loudly
profess to be, and are true to the sentiments en-
bodied in their platform, aud those expressed by
their late candidates, and all of their Influential
leaders, the slavcowners have no security so great
for the perpctuation of their power, as that which
is afforded them by this faction or branch of the
one great pro-slaVery party which includes all
voters under the Constitution. And this because
by their anti-siaycry professions the Republicans
are enabled and actually exercise the power to
employ in the direct and irresistible support Of
slavery, all of the honest impulses Of the voters in
favor Of liberty, which these suppose they are
directing towards the overthrow of the criminal
system. The true citadel Of the slavepower is the
United States government, however the Constitu,
ton may be construed by the cOntending factions
and Of this the Republicans are the most efficient
and powerful supporters. Were it not for the ar
ray Of the pecuniary and the physical influence o
the non-slaveowning portion of the nation, through
means of the government, in support Of the slavi
oligarchy, the institution would speedily be
brought to an end either by the revolt of the slave,
themselves or by foreign interference, or by both
combined. What a mOckery of all consistency
then is it for you to urge "Above all let us vote
for no man to any Office who denies the doctrine
tliat governments are instituted to secure al
persons under their Jurisdiction in the equal en-
Ijoyment of life and liberty" when you deny it a,
a private citizen in common with all other
voters, in every ballot that is cast for a publ,
officer, and as a member Of Congress by every yot,
for tho supply Of the means which carry for ware
and perpetuate the government
Does it never occur to you that the supper
which any private citizen of Ohio affords to the
/ general government is an act Of gra:uitous wicked
.uess, and meanness, an act Of conspiracy agains'
the freedom of four millions of slaves for which
be receives nothing in the shape Of an equivalent
Government officials have their salaries, and the
equivocnl glory Of filing clfces which confer upon