Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-01-10
THE ANTI-SLAVERY BUGLE.


to secure, and believing with our Fathers in their
immortal Declaration, that under such circum.
stances lit is the right Of the people to alter or
abolish IT." we invite you to exercise that riLht.
Happily for us we shall need little labor of recon
Strueiion. Our State government with slight omend-
ments will supply all that wo require. We pro-
pose this to you as a mode Of direct and efficient
political action against the existence of Slavery
itself and not merely directed against a portion of
its effects. We have reason to know that large
numbers of those active in late political move
ments, have never been satisfied with operating
simply against these effects leaving the cause UNI
disturbed, or rather strengthened and supported
by the very effects which grew out of a desire for
It's overthrow. We shall cause to be circulated
throughout the State petitions to the Legislature
asking that body to take the necessary steps pre-
liminary to secession. These we hope to see
numerously signed, and carefully forwarded at an
early period, by those into whose charge they may
be given We suggest in this what we believe to
be The only peaceful mode by which we can sever
our guilty connection with the crime of slavehold-
ing, and at the same time mploy our political
power to accomplish tho speedy, and complete
overthrow OF the slave system. We believe it will
be peaceful, because in the numbers, intelligence,
physical wealth and moral influence of her pop
ulation, her compact territory, International i'm
provements, and favorable local situation, Ohio
may present such II front to the world that no
power which can have, or pretend to a motive to
assail her, dare venture the attempt. Besides, a
large majority Of the people OF the non slavo.own-
ing States will sympathise with the movement, and
lend their powerful moral influence, and physical
aid if it should ever become necessary, and a
knowledge of this state of public sentiment will
suffice to prevent all attack. We believe it will be
%ehectual, because by the testimony Of slave
themselves, and by that Of all the facts, bearing
upon the case, the slave-owning communities, so
soon as tho physical power of the North were
Withdrawn from their aid, W ,uld be compelled to
emtncipate. to preserve themselves from an IN
equal contest with their present victims. For
with one State possessed of the power and in
huence Of Ohio, for such cadso withdrawn from
the Union, all the other free States influenced by
the example, would be sure and quick to initiate.
We clai n your cooperation in this movement
as the only political action against the system of
Slavery which is possible to us, and which prom
Uses its peaceful overthrow, andl theionly political
action which does not involve us in the guilt and
crime of slayeholding. We know it will be charac-
terised as rebellion or revolution, but we exult in
t being the children of rebels, the offspring of revo
$ lutionists, in whose tolls and sacrifices for Liberty
we glory, and whose worthy deeds, and homes
, fame we mean to emulate. We know that it is
our right. and duty, to assume this position, else
the Declaration Of independence is a self evident
r lie. ind we know too. that this is the only remedy
. left us and you, to protect ourselves and posterity
5 against the continually augmentipg folds, with
i, which the serpent of Slavery is steadily encircling
. Il people, who still esteem themselves to BE free.
, The revolution in which we ask your assistance
must come, whether you will aid us or not. We are
already in the midst of it. Already in Kansas its
advent has been heralded with blood and carnage.
If you would protect your own happy homes from
G similar devastations, you must assume the agrees
h i've now willis, it is still possible to effect the over
c throw of Slavery peacefully, OF as surely as efec
3 succeeds to cause, you, and your children, will b,
n encompassed by similar desolation and horror
e within the borders Of our own beloved State.
Men and women of Ohio, we ask you to sigr
the cooperation OF others. And Editors friendl
to the cause of freedom, whether agreeing in ser
timent with us or no, we ask you to give q plac
in your columns to our petition and address. tina
a the people may have an opportunity to judge fo
n themselves in the premises.