Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-04-18

akin TO the boosted patriarchal society Of the latter.
Ii is eminently a Western civilization looking to
the Development of the individual man, to the
construction of the social fabric upon a basis ut
once OF independence and self dependence. Here
with US are neither Fourierlte ideas, nor plantation
aristocracies. Ours is a gyOciBy State and needs
population and labor. and it is to this condition of
things, ard in view of these wants that we should
shape our policy, and in conjunction with SUR
rounding States brild our faith upon western
measures. 1t would be absurd for Missouri to ape
the fanaticism of South Carolina upon the Slavery
Issues, as it would be to initiate Massachusetts
upon the ultra Abolition issue. Those who would
have her people embark in the cause of Southern
radicalism and seoession-who would have them
sacrifice every interest of society to n wild agita-
tion in behalf of Slavery extension, are but blind
leaders of the blind, and have neither a true CON
ception of the destiny that awaits our State, nor a
full and just appreciation of the many social evils
that are already attendant upon the institution as
1t exists among us. | am. Sir, no alarmist, and |
have no desire to go heedltssly into n discussion OF
the domestic relations between master and slave
1t is net needed that | should comment upon that
theme in order to q fair presentation OF the matter
before us. 1t will be sufficient to point to the mean
ing OF the views expressed in regard to western
civilization by affirming that practical emancipa'
tion flowing from natural causes, is one OF the
most striking developments, and to add that those
who have lived and acted and felt amid communi-
ties where Slavery existed. know something of its
attendant evils, and something Of its occasional
abuses.
They know that among the whites the chief su(-
ferers are the young, and among the blacks the aged
that slavery superinduces thriftlessness in bOyhood,
evtravagance in manhood, and poverty in the de-
cline OF life, and that taken even in its best light
there are many things about its domestic charac-
ter ever which it is prudent to draw the veil. Up
on this point, therefore | desire to saw no more
What have said has been dictated by no preju.
dice, but by ar earnest desire to represent all the
bearings of this'sul ject of emancipation in its true
light. Even this may be conside led by some as
unwar-anted liberty, and | may be a%rraigned in
the cant language of the Gay, as not being loyal
to the institution of the State" Sir, l an loyal
to the welfare of Missouri and that l hold tran
scends in importance any institution. But | am
not and never will DO loyal" in the sense
of blind adherence to everything that may be es-
tablished. Such loyalty would be a crime against
che spirit of the age. Sir, was Virginia loyal to
her institutions when she abolished primogeniture?
Was Pennsylvania loyal to hers when she abolish
ell Slavery ? Were the cNlonies loyal to theirs
when they abolished royalty? This is the cry
with which bigots intimidate fools. Loyalty 70 ex-
isting institutions shuts ont all reform. There is but
one institution to which all citizens should be loyal,
and that one, the sovereignty ofthe yeople. All other
institutions must conform to that or cease to exist.
Mr.. Speaker, | have no disposition 10 prolong my
remarks. l have said in substance what | design
ed saying in regard to the past, the present and
the future aspects of the Slavery issue that has
been forced upon us by the Senate resolution
The suddepness with which it has been sprung
the one days notice only of the introduction of
the proposition that has been accorded to us-the
inability to obtain access in this remote capital to
valuable sources of information that would have
thrown much light upon the subject, have all con-
spired to render very imperfect what has been at
tempted. But, Sir, if nothing else has been &c.
complished this day. one thing has transpired, and
that is the bringing up of the whole subject for
future discussion. The introduction of this resp
luton has made emancipation henceiorth and for
ever an open question in Missouri. l presume
Sir, that when the inquiry has been moved by
those who claim to be the exclusive guardians of
the slave interests of the State, those who may
think otherwise than they, who may feel solicit
tude for other interests, and be concerned directly
in the encouragement of a more exalted species OF
labor, will not hesitate to speak out their opinions.
When the champion Of the negro hondsmen press
forward TO fnscribe their belief upon the records
of this General Assembly, the indicators of the
rights Of the white man, the freeman, the work
ing man, will not be slow to appeal to tie verdict
of an enlightened public sentiment. Hence it is
that l venture to say emancipation is hencetor-
ward an open question in Missouri. That resolu-
tion is the warrant for fall, fearless and conscien-
tious examination in all the after time. None 9TH
er is needed. If it were, it could be found in the
highest instrument of writing in our organic law.
The Constitution OF Missouri has made provisions
concerning the emancipation of all the slaves in
the State. The first article of the Doth section
while defining and limiting the power of the Gen
eral Assembly ''foT the emancipation OF slaves"
yet points out two modes in which it may be done.
The course of coming events was clearly foreseen
by those who framed that charter OF rights, and
this great change was discussed and provided for
in accordance with ideas that then prevailed. 1t
was, moreover, Incorporated into the organic law
that the Constitution itself could be amended upon
this as well as all other subjects by two success.
i've and concurring General Assemblies. If, then,
Sir, | or you, o. any other, may be impelle6 to
urge a radical but gradual reform in regard to
the Institution of Slavery, may we not, with the
Constitution of Missouri in hand--with high con-
siderations of the welfare of the State at heart
and with the rights and interests of 500, 600 free
white citizens in our keeping-may we not, | say,
feel fully prepared to stand forward and answer at
bar of public opinion with triumphant and CON
vincing argument?