Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-10-24

" ~ III NNSh'hB ~ WV VI uo CAtOublNo al
circulation as you can give it. I presume you will
agree with me in thinking the matter it contains is
well calculated to benefit others than the one to
whom it is addressed.
b. S. J..
WAYNE, Ashtabula County,
October IL, 1851.
DEAR ALFRED Yesterday / mailed II letter for
Henry and was too often interrupted in writing to
say half what l wished. This rainy morning l
purpose to devote to thee. This is the day (the an
nual election). to try mems principles, and L am
wondering whether thee will 60 with tho multitude
to do evil, or stand firm.
Leaving out Of sight on the present occasion,
she elections against any participation in a govern
ment Of force, let US re>examine those which obtain
against connecting ourselves with this slaveholding
contederacy. All intelligent and honest persons
with whose opinions [ can become acquainted, of
whatever party or wherever located, after examin-
alton If the subject agree that slavery could not
be continoed in the United States if it were not
Tor tho assistance afforded to those who claim pro-
perry in man by the government. The Republic.
ans not only agree that this is true, but boldly pro-
claim it. Taking it therefore for granted, it follows
that every one who voluntarily sustains tho govern
ment takes upon himself all the guilt and crime
which pertains to the relation of slave claim
ant, simply as such. This is so plain as not to
need arguments in fact selfevident. If it is
wrong for a man to deprive his fellow of the exer-
else of all rights, to plumber and despoil him of
all physical, intellectual aud moral wealth, it is as
wrong to be the means by which alone, the rob.
Der can accomplish this, although you do not di
rectly receive a portion of the sroils. To give
a voluntary support to this government at Gil is
than q tola .,nno opa,o ipdividna1 Golf oil tho
gull. and crime of Slavery. There is no escape
from thSs conclusion if the premises be true, i. e.
chat slavery exists only because the government
makes it possible to do so. With this point settled
I'm his mind, no honest, no just, no truly conscien-
ei0us man, COO become a member of this govern
ment. Whatever re the motive he may assign what
aver may be the supposed benefit to the slave him
self which he may plead as bis reason for political
action uaaer the government, he knocs it is false
aud fallaeieus and hence his extreme sensitiveness
to the rebukes Of the Abolitionists. This is the
question then for thee and thy young associates
who are Just coming upon the stage of action, TO
celtic ss the starting point, "s slavery in existence
merely by the power afforded to the slave claimant
by tae government? If you settle that afirma-
lively as 1 have said all intelligent authorities do,
there is but one path omen for honest feet to tray
ell in.
The Republicans make to-day a pretended issue
with Democrats upon the bred Scott decision. 1t
is but a most shallow rretence. The Republican
party has been largely in the ascendant in Ohio for
the past two years and yet what has it done to Sc
cure liberty to the fugitive slave upon our soil?-
What has it done even for our own colored citizens
who are taxed without representation, who arc ex-
cluded from equal school privileges, whose money
is taken to build alms.houses for white paupers
from which themselves are excluded Indi-
vidual members of the party wish a change in these
particulars-so do individual democrats. 1t is
false however that there is any issue between the
two political organizations, for they are in reality
but one party, On the principles Of that decision.
The real issue between them is a scramble for Office
and nothing else. Both are closely leagued with
the master and against the slave and they know it,
Gov. Chase himself says there is no difference be-
tween the opinions Of the Republicans now on
the Slavery question and the Democrats of seven
years since-The Cincinnati Gazette authority
equally good, says there is not the shadow or a
shades difference between them. And yet we see
hosts of men who in 1850 were with US in assail-
ing the positions of the Democrats of that day
with all the energy and all the severity tina! we
could employ now mingled among the Republic
ans and defending themselves angrily against the
very arguments in cur mouths, which then they
uttered against their present political position
Thee has several times made this a personal
question and l have shrunk from it and in so doing
have been wanting in that fidelity which | owe to
the cause of the slave. l have allowed the ties OF
affinity the bonds of social relationship, and posi-
bly, in some degree pecuniary considerations to him
I--. r. l-.:.-.l. ELL o.:zoo- & nav eo,I
against this dereliction of principle. l have moi
allowed myself to say, what l could not avoid
feeling. that all such are dishonest, are treacherous
to their own acknowle lodged principles of morality.
1 have said and l repeat it, be their motives what
they may, and in some directions | am glad to be-
lieve their impulses are just and worthy, that they
stand more in the way of the slaves redemption
than tho wickedest Democrat of all. Their very
virtues give them the power to be this. l know
that not one of them would consent to have me
continue one moment, a part of a government, a
portion of the power, which should hold them and
their children in the condition of the slave, and
thereby l know they violate their own convictions
of right in sustaining the relations they do to
slavery.-And l can perceive what | suppose they
do not with the same clearness, that the advant'
ages for which they thus barter away the integrity
of their souls is imaginary, and delusive. That
they derive no benefit in return, much less a COM
pensation for so costly a sacrifice, by continuing
loyal to the confederacy of these States.
If they believe a government of force to be
needed. if they are tie disciples of Jefferson and
his oompeers in the gospel of freedom as taught
in the Declaration of Independence, that document
points out to them the course they should pursue
"'But when a long train of abuses and usurpations
pursuing invariably the same object evinces a dc.
sign to reduce them undergabsolute despotism, ii
Is their right, 1T rs THEIR DUTY TO THROW OFF SUCH
GOVERNMENT and to provide new guards for their
future security"
The Constitution and the Declaration are anti.