Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-02-21

tbis subject at this or at any time. There is no
necessity Cor strife among neighbors and fellow
~c;tizens In the consideration of this or any other
grave question involving the welfare OF the State.
We are not willing to acknowledge the free, dis
cussion. even Of this subject, without UictOus Utrife.
but If the humiliating fact should he found TO ex.
ist. we would ever abide the Divine rule, First
pure then peaceable." If, as many of the ablest
expositors Of our agricultural and commercial in
terests 10 the State firmly believe, the emancipa'
ton Of the comparatively few slaves in our midst
would add Immensely to the aggregate wealth and
prosperity of the State after detraying all the ex-
pense incidental to such q change, in the increased
value and pioductiveness of property within our
bounds why not take q decisive step in that direc-
ton 2 In the name of the order. intelligence and
patriotism of Missouri, we ask, tohy notF
Other States of our glorious confederacy have
emancipated, and the civilized world commend
them; why may not WEI Is there less OF intelli.
genco, less morality. less love of order with us
than with them Let whoever thinks so, now
speak, We do not believe it, but. on the contrary,
believe the people of Missouri fully competent and
capable if they shall think we'll, peacefully, and
without the infringement of the rights OF any, to
emancipate their slaves; and to do so, we believe,
would subserve in the highest possible degree, the
interests of the State.
But there are other and higher and holier con-
alterations which lead us to desire-if in Gods
providence it may be accom- lished-emancipation
We believe slavery to be a great evil, and cannot,
therefore, SO long as we have a heart to feel for
others woes-a Christian heart--cease to desire
the removal Of the evil. Let not our friends be
alarmed, or our enemies, if We have them, rejoice
at the frank avowal of our sentiments; entertain
ing them, we hesitate not to avow them; we have
nothing TO disguise in this matter; we hold no SEN
timents, advocate no measures, pursue no policy
which we would not hold, advocate and pursue
anywhere 10 this republic.
We are not here to ~intermeddle, at this time or
any other time, through this or any other medium,
with the civil relation between master and slave,
but peacefully and cheerfully to pursue our avo-
cation as an editor in q religious denomination
whose known principles and usages on this sub
iect ought to save us the labor Of even so much as
an explanation. In this, rs in other matters, we
proclaim to the world, 1--WE defraud no man.
However deeply we may deplore an existing evil,
and however ardently we may desire its removal,
we regard ourselves obligated, as Christian citi-
zeps. to promote all necessary change in a lawful,
neaceful manner. Yet surely as a religious jour.
nal, we cannot ignore a subject of such paramount
Importance, as a question OF Christian morality.
In the attitude this subject is here assuming, an
attitude, rs it should be, given it by our own peo-
p.e and representatives, uninfuenced by foreign
elements, there are just these two views which
may be taken, these two positions assumed: Sla-
= very, rs it exists among us. is either an evil or a
blessing; if the former. let 1t be abolished; IL the
latter, let it be fostered.
Let us have no lodging, no side issues wrung
in. The scheme by which this is to be effected IN
nil its details, can, by the wisdom of our statesmen
and philanthropists, be wrought out in due time,
and the means necessary to the accomplishment OF
so or md and glorious n contamination "A consum-
nation over which christian men and angels would
ehout-can be secured.
In this we would not, we're we now ready for 1t,
suffer ourselves to dictate. but would simply sug-
gest, that the Methodist Episcopal Church. with
other evangelical churches, continues still the
steadfast friend and patron of colonization. until
something more feasible shall be presented. Our
agents are sill in the field, funds are being collec
ted, and other efficient means are being employed
to carry on this glorious work.
We declare that here every man is without ex-
cuse. Ii any decline to favor emancipation, we
suppose IL must be from one of two considerations:
either they have not the courage to declare thor
wishes, lest they incur the dis2lcasure OF some, OF
they do not consider slavery an evil but a bless
ing. and therefore do not desire its extinction.
Will the religious press of the State speak out
upon the subject2 We wait with anxiety to see;
not that we fear the consequences for ourselves II
thew should not come to the rescue, for we unhesi-
tatingly assert that whenever we think We may
forward the cause of emancipation by so doing,
We shall speak, regardless of what Others may DO
or fail to do; but We are confident that, should the
religious presses and the churches OF Missouri
give their decided influence for emancipation, II
will 90 very far toward the accomplishment OF this
most desirable object.