Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-03-29


We desire it that we may the more carefu'ly ex-
anime the positions you were pleased to take
therein on tho question now agituting the public
mind. Yours, &c,
Ralph Plumb, a. Burns, Jr.,
j. A. Bell, p. Thompson,
NJ. D Catch, Z. Clark,
l., Needham, j. Trusdalc,
+. G.. Speman, SiIas Potts,
G. I. Townsend NJ. Mendenhall.
Mr., CuArRNAN.--It seems to be the fashion OF
members here before voting on this Bill to give
their reason for 50 doing, Though generally dis
inclined to occupy the attention OF the House |
now feel disposed to follow the example Of those
who have given their reasons for tLeir votes on
this insignificant although in respects inn
portant Bill. 1 call it important because it is
likely to be the only that will meet the ap-
probation Of this Legislature; that is likely to give
protection in the smallest degree to ourselves, aud
large body of our citizens who are exposed to
tho ruthless grasp OF mensteaeis, who Mt any
time are liable to be arrested and bya summary
trial on pnrte testimony, hurried into condi-
tion in com garrison to which, Millions Internal re-
cions would be paradise, and that, too, in accor-
dance with the provisions of one OF the most inhu
man laws that ever disgraccd the csde Of any ma
tion, civilized or savage.
Mr. Chairman, | have no fear lest should char
ncterze American Slavery by any too s;rong
terms. Ny acquaintance with that institution for
bids me to entertain any. Neither have | any re
pret at being styled an A5olitiouist, and If there
be any other term in the English lnguage that
can express ones adherence Of Slavery in stron-
ger terms then wish to be designated by that
term. Gentlemen here seem to have n great hOr.
ror of that term, and every measure that has amy
sduintng, or by possibility any bearing upon the
subject Ut Slavery, before acting upon 1t they must
feel of their seal ps to ascertain whcthcY wool is
beginning to grow, or take close look IN reilec-
TOR to see whether they are changing in color.
tI,ora gn,v ma i'm ln liSh vi gg.h
ulary dearer to me than that of AbJtiOnst, as |
understand it; though am regarded by portion
of nv fellow citizens in the district that have the
honor to represent, as being pro-Savcry man
and several Of my neishbors, for whom have
much respect regarding ne IN that light could not
conscentiousy give me their votes.
But Sir, the greatest and best men that ever
araced our earth have been AbUlitiorsts.
The leader of Israel was an Abolitouiat, and
through his agency under the Divine protcttlon
eome millions of as abjcct and degraded beings a.
now suffer in disSraced cn,.niry were liberia
ted. Every relormcr IN the Jewish ppllty from
that time were Abolltionists. They preached IN
favor of ''breakng every yoke, and letting the oP
pressed o. free" 5, the Nan et sorroWS he wh'
came to redeem us from sin and death, preached
Ahulitionism in every moral prccept, and the IN
cul cation and dissemination of his doctrine drove
Slavery out of the Roman Empire.
So every true reformer from that time to 'hc
present Including ClarkSon, WlIbert,rcc, Gran
Vile, Sharp. John Wesley, George Washington
Thomas Jefferson, and n host too numerous I,
mention we're all Abotionsts. Sir, were II mar
in the Old Dominion to use such language n
Thomls jefferson used with regard to Slavery, he
would be made Acquainted with Judge Lynch, M
nus Jury. And here on this floor. in Tie SO call
ed free State of Ohio, were n man to use suci
language as he used to express his adherence o
Slavery he would he characterized as wooily
head or fanatic aud thought by some OF our good
Union savers as a proper subject for one OF ou
Asviums.
so fortunate as to merit the aprel!ation of Aboli
tionst.
This Bill makes provision for securing the citi
zens of the State Of Ohio from the rapacty OF men
stealers. 1t mi chs lie with all reason expected tina
those who had always stolen the earnings OF t
portion of their ponuls ton, would no; be con
tent without infringing upon the rights of thei
neghhnrs So far as the Bill goes, it is wei
enough and shall support it on the same prnrl
pie tnat | would make my supper on n cold corr
dodgor when could not get anything better.
do assure gentlemen 1t is with me n meaGro Dill
fare.
Gentlemen have been very particular in stat
ing where they sand on this matter, | will ais
state with equal trankness my position; which Is
that could most cheertully and freely give m
support fjr II law that would protect every ma
that seeks nm asylum upon oGr soil, unless To
crime. Let him come from OveTrun and down trot
den Poland or Virginia; whether he be II refuge
from Hungary or Kentucky, let him come iron
what portion of Gods free soil he may, let hil
here bo free, and if you can better his condition b
solonizing aim, with his consent, in Africa,
any pare of our wide extended domain, do so; br
let no remorseless hand tear the seireed ma
away from the asylum he has sought on our shore
70 make him Slave.
And, Sir can support such law and not d
violence to an agreement | entered into betoT
that desk, to support the Constitution OF the un
ted States of America. Sir, | am not law!e
perhaps if were should not entertain the oplT
ion do on this subject. And must express a
opinion upon this subject with a great deal OF dl
fdence and at the Same time with great deal {
confidence for il is position were 1t not for whlc
1 should. | presume be found in company wit
that band Of fanatics at Salcm," (of which
much has been said for the last few weeks) VT
the other day petitOned this honorable body Tor
withdrawal of this State frcm the Federal unio
No, Sir. | do not believe that that time honore
document is as they affirm, "a covenant with deaf
and league with hell" but one OF the best II
struments for the purpose IF securing tho blHs
;ngs of Liberty to all over whom the dominion
this nation extends that ever emanacd irom IA
lible man, if its provisions were duly enforced
But Sir, believe the end, the great object OF tn
instrument, is so clearly expressed in its prear
BILE, has been sacrificed to perverted meaning
some of its provisions.
That il never entered into tho heads Of She r.
ners cf that instrument that they were buildiT
up an institution that they wero laying perm
nent enduring foundation for the most damnab
system of oppression and crime that the sun ey
shone upon, no one here will for moment ADM
That they made concession 20 Slavery, IN perm
ting the African Slave trade TO continue for TIVE
ty years freely admit but that they a-so thouE
and expected that tho-extinguishment of the Al
can Slave trade would Dc away with slavory