Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-02-16


Inp!ander prefer his SHOWS and skins to the sun.
ny skies and silken gNrb of Italy which makes the
c0lored American prefer the dear land Of his birth,
even though oppressed in it, to any other spot or
earth.
But admit, for argument, that there is an irradi-
cal difference between US and the white oi our
land. That very difference units them to repre-
sent us. Our wants and feelings are unknown or
uuappreciated by them; nor can any ono presume
to represent us whom we have not aided 10 select.
In our government, every citizen should he repro
sented in the legislative councils and this can only
be attained by permitting each one voice in the
selection of representatives. No class Of the white
population would be willing to conceIc to any 9th
er class, however honest and enlightened, the Gus
tody Of their rights. TO demand such thing
would be deemed monstrous; and the injustice is
not lessened when the demand is made upon black
men instead Of white men.
Our want of intelligence is urged as reason
against our admission to equal citizenship. The
assumption that we are ignorant is untrue; but,
even if it were true, it really affords an argument
for the removal Of the disabilities that cramp our
energies destroy that feeling Of selrespect so es-
sentiul to form the character of good citi2en.-
Give us the opportunity Of eleyating oursclyes:- =
1t can do you no harm, and may Go us much good;
and if we fail, upon us be the blame. We would
bring to your recollection shat, by a decision OF
your Supreme Court Il large portion of our people
are already in the possession OF the elective fran
coOred men in intelligence morals. They are
educated under the same depressing social intiuen-
ces with the rest of us, and no better fitted 20
exercise the right of voting than their 5rethren.--
Yet, by an accident of color, they are enranchscd
What good reason can be adduccd for permitting
the father to vote and not the son, or the son and
not the father, as is frequently the caseP The
most obtuse intellect at once perceive the ut
tel folly and injustice Of such distinctions. But
the folly and injustice is equally as great when the
difference is made between white and colored men.
We are aware that it has been recently asserted
by high political parsonage, that this Is a gov
crnmcnt of white men. This we cannot admit
In addition to the arguments we have already ad-
yanced, touching the doctrine OF the unlversaty
of h0man rights we submit that the assertion
casts an imputatiOn upon the veracity and good
faith OF our fathers, who claimed the sympathy
and aid of the world Oh the ground that they were
conten3ing for principles Of universal application
and desired to found government in which the
doctrine OF human equality would be reduced to
practice.
The Bill of Rights of the State of Ohio sets
forth, "That all men are created equal and lnde-
pendent and have inalienable rights among which
are enioying and detendihg life and liberty acqur-
ing possessing, and protecting property, aud seek
ing and obtaining happiness and safety"
Now admitted that we are men, how are we to
detend and protect ile liberty, and property? The
whites of the State, through the ballot-box, can
do these things peaceaby; but we, by the organic
! law of the State, are\ prevented from defending
those precious rights by any other than violent
means For the same document that asserts our
right to defend life liberty and property, strips
US of the power to do so otherwise than by ylo-
/ lence. We ask you, gentlemen, in the name OF
justice, shall this stand as the Judgement Oi the
/ State OF Chic?
| We are aware that Difference to the OPTIONS and
Institutions Of the States tolerating slavery, to
whom we are bound by the federal compact may
induce some to oppose this our Application 1or
equal rights. But those States, of all Others are
the most tenacious of their rights rs sovereign
States and reprobate all attempts 20 influence
their domestic policy by the action OF public opn
ion in other States. We pray you, therefore to DC
US Justice; and in doing right initiate the inde
pendenco they display in doing wrong. Our rights
are as high and precious as thers and they can
have no right to complain OF any act OF the people
of Ohio, improving the condition Of any class Of
her citizens.
We do not ask you to countenance any change
destructive to your firm OF government. The
principles we ask you to indorse are recognized by
the wise and good of our own and other lands. II
will be but the legitimate result OF proper ap
precaton of the Declaration Of flndepend encc ant
: our Bill of Rights. Already five States of the
E Union have admitted colored men to vote; and We
have vet to hear that the action has been followed
by any other than beneficial results.
The arguments we have advanced are equally
, applicable to the statutory ehaclheHts WHICH III
fict such groyous disabilities upon us as peo
> pie.
Tho inestimablc privilege and protection of
~ trial by Jury of our peers, we are deprived 0
and to our great damage. Every legal gentlemal
I in your body must be aware OF the facility Will
which convictions are obtained against colore'
men.
e Admission to your infrmaries and other beneyo
, lent institutions is demanded by the spirit OF tn
b age 1t is a shame to your civilization and hu
= manitv that decrepid age, the helplessly manned
G dwelling idiots and ravng maniacs, are turne
+ into the street to di, has been done IN the me
k tropolis of your State. In your public schools
It too, needless and injurious distinctions are maae
The duty of the State is the same to all her chi
i dren. None are insignificant as to be preiere
h before others. The interests of the State deman
st that all should be educated alike
" In conclusion, we call your attention to the DIT
l. ties incumbent on you as legisators-to pass sue
e laws as will increase the happiness, prOsperlt
and security of the people OF the state; to remoy
'e all lust causes Of dissatisfaction.
e MANY may indulge the hope that the colore
s. nonulation is destined to pass away from you
. midst and so refuse our prayer. But the nope
+ n Jeluson. We are part Of the American PEI
u ple, and we and our postcrity will forever be
i constituent part OF your population II we al
deprived of education, OF equal political privilege
still subjected to the same depressing influence
1t nnder which we now suffer, he natural consequei
g ces will follow: ard the State, for her planting
x Injustice. will reap her harvest Of sorrow an
e. crime She will contain within her limits di
IN oontented population - dissatisfied estranged-
o. ready to welcome any revolution or invasion as
IN relief for they can lose nothing and gain much
le g contrary course of policy will enable us to kee
OF stem with our white fellowcitizens in the march
ne Improvement, disaffecton will ce.Sc and our N
a. bic State stand securely defended by the lovr
~ hearts of all her sons
&C. In behalf of the State Convention of eolort
- - men, PETER II. CLARK, Cham.
Charles Langston,
tv Charles IL. lancey,
20 D. Jenkins,
Ir John Williams,
at Solomon Grimes, COMMITTEE
NJ Anderson Finn,
III John NJ. Langston,
III John |. Gaines,
at l.. ID. Taylor,