Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-05-16
THE TAUE BASIS OF REFORM.

Reform This is the watchword Of the restless
Age In which we live. What was regarded in by
gone generations, as the perfection Of human Wis
dom; is now regarded by men who think for them
selves, as the perfection OF human folly. Custom
can no longer, as q natural consequence. eX-
pect implicit obedience to her i'm perious mandates.
Reason begins to assert her predominnnce, and
couples a rigid scrutiny of all theories, organizations
Institutions, and Constitutions. before they can
meet the approval Of the popular conscience
These must have something more than the odor OF
antiquity, or the perfume of distinguished names
to secure for them a permanent Judgement in the
popular heart. Hence the spirit of Reform. re-
formation, n forming again, is rapidly pervading
all grades Of Human society. and the wheels OF
progress are revolving with a velocity which APP
pals the willing votaries of Error and Superstition.
1t is essential to the we'll being of human soci.
city, that all Retormations which contemplate the
good Of the race should be established upon q well
defined, correct, and comprehensive basis. 1t
should be well.defned, that all may thoroughly
understand and rightly appreciate it correct, with
a view to its permanent establishment compre-
hensive, in order to embrace in its beneGcencence,
every son and daughter of the human family.
1t is therefore clearly to be seen, that the BROTHER
nooD OF MAN, connot legitimately be ignored, or
thrust inside, or any Reform which proposes the
mental, and moral, and we might add, the physic-
al amelioration of Mans condition. And any
Reform which practically ignores this vitalizing
principle. stands itself in need of q thorough Re-
formation, that il may be ad justed to the wants and
demands of a common Humanity. A reputation
of this sublime and eternal principle, would be
an attempt to sever the Heaven linked chain which
binds the family of man. And owing tc a wise
arrangement of the divine economy, man is 80 con.
sltuted, that whatever affects one member of the
human family, must affect al. For instance the
Tour millions Of our fellow men who are bound in
the letters of American Slavery, are the immediate
and principal sufferers from this cruel Des2otism,
Int thp nrinpi Mo involyad in THAR nnslavepent or
in other words, the question of the Right or Wrong
Of human chattleism, is one which deeply affects
the whole Human Race. For the American slave
being n man, in his enslavement, the Rights of the
whole Race are mercilessly cloven down, and tram
led in the dust. Once the rightfulness of slave
ry is established, and no mans liberty is sacred -
Hence, the premises. assumed by leading Demo
cratic American journals, that slavery does not de-
pend upon 2 difference Of complexion, being car
ried out to their logical itcplts. drove many men,
during the late Presidential canvass into the Re-
publican ranks, who had else continued to do the
bidding of the Slave Power.
The Anti-Slavery movement, viewed in its dis.
tinctive character as the exponent and advocate OF
the Brotherhood of Man, is prominently, a chris.
tian movement deserving the earnest and active
sym pathy of every philanthropic heart. 1t really
furnishes the only true basis of all humanitarian
movements. 1t has claims. which claim precedence
of all other great Moral Reforms, for without the
establishment of the principle which gives it its
life and It's power, all other Reforms, Temperance,
Peace, Women's Rights, &C., must drag their slow
length along and eventually die for want of proper
nutriuent. Defend the doctrine Of Human Broth
erhood, carry out the principle in all the relations
of life, cling to it, like the ivy to the oak, in sun.
shine and in storm, and the present upheaving of
the foundations Of society, the elemental strife OF
the present hour must result In the ultimate tri-
umph of Right over Wrong. and the speedy de-
liyerance of the wretched bondman, out of the
hands of the oppressor.-Frederic Douglass Pa
Der,