Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-11-13

that oil are the work of Almighty hand We
find in the distribution Of the human species that
the most fertile as well as the most barren parts
of the earth are inhabited bv men of diHeren,
mpexions from whence we may reasonably in
fer that he who placed them in their various situa
tions hath extended equally Ills care and protec
ton to all, and that it becomefh not to counter
&C His mercies. We esteem it peculiar blessing
granted to us that we are this day enabled to add
one more step to universal civilization by remov
lug the sorrows OF those who have lived in unde
served bondage, and from which, by the assumed
authority of the Kings of Great Britain, no effec.
tual relief could be obtained. Weaped by a long
course of experience from those narrow prejudices
AID partiaities We had mbbed, we find our
hearts enlarged with kindness towards men of all
conditions and nations; and we conceive ourselves.
At this particular period, extraordinarily called up
on. by the blessings which we have received, to
manifest the sincerity of our professions and give
substantial proof Of our gratitude"
Such was the spirit of Pennsylvania seventy.
eight years ago, as expressed in her legislative
action.
1t is not to be inferred, however, that this was
the feeling of the people universally. Proof to
the contrary is seen in the strong opposition that
was made to the measure, and in the solemn pro-
test that was placed the minutes against it.
The record Of the yeas and nays shows that out
of IS members present, 81 voted for the bill and
q against it; and the signatures of the protest
show that this number of 2l was afterwards in
creased to %.
1t is instructive in reading this protest to notice
the points of resem blance as well as of difference
between the objections made to emancipation then
and now. The protestants urge, Of course. the
dangers of emancipation-tho dangers, first, tC
themselves. and. second to their more southern
brethren, and especially the danger-as they ex-
press it-of weakening that body of which this
State is a member"-n other words, of weaken
ing "the Union, its "dissolution had not thea
become matter of apprehension.
The I'D" objection of the protest is thus ex-
pressed Because notwithstanding we approve
and are sensible of the humanity os manumitting
slaves in times Of peace, cannot think this the
proper time, since the seat of war is likely to be
transferred to the southwark
and the sound of freedom that may 90 forth from
this law may lead the negroes CT those States to
demand of immediate and entire freedom, or to
other disorders which may end in the greatest
crueties which an ignora Mt and desperate people
can be capable of committing"
The "3d" ground of protest has its basis in
prejudice against color, and shows that our fore
fathers were what would now be called "amaga.
mationists." The language runs thus:
Because if the time were come when the slaves
might be safely emancipated, we could not agree
to their being made free citizens in so extensive
manner as this law proposes we think they
would have been well satisfied and the Legisla-
ture would have sufficiently answered their main
purposes had these unhappy people been enabled
to enjoy the fruits of their labor, and have been
protected in their lives and property in the man.
ner white persons are, without giving them the
right Of voting and being voted into Offices in
.ermarrying with white persons. and being witnes
ess in every respect during the limited time of this
serviude-whch we fear in some instances NAV
ruin families"
This protest is instructive as indicating the pub
lie sentiment of the State in its earlier and purer
days on the subject of prejudice against color.
For a quarter of century the Pennsy sania
Abolition Society maintained a vigorous existence
During the first ten years after the abolition act
voluntary manumissions, in anticipation of the
period fixed by law, were frequent that, from
this and other causes, the number of slaves was
reduced from 10 600 to little more than 5000; and
during the following ten years, according to an
estimate made by Thomas Jefferson, not less than
10000 slaves were voluntarily emancipated in the
State of Virginia.
But the peopls of that generation passed away,
A. ~:.:,
cessors The generation which followed had less
lively appreciation Of the blessings of liberty and
not much alive to the evils of oppression.
Slavery, which had been coverty tolerated in the
Federal Constitution, in the vain hope on the part
of some, that it would die natural DEATH only Sc
cured by this means a new lease of its life. Il
grew in power and increased in extent while the
opposing spirit of freedom, in all parts of the
country, gave evidence of decline la the South il
to-" says the Pennsylvania Abolition Society in its
address for the year 1909, "the approving voice OF
the community and the liberal Interpretation Of
the laws have smoothei the!path of duty and pro,
NOTED satisfactory issue to our humane exertions,
At present, however, the sentiments of onr fellow.
citizens and the decisions of our Courts are less
auspicious."
On previous occasion, speaking Of the failure
of the South to send delegates to the Annual Alb.
oltion Convention at Washington, they say
" 1t is subject of serious regret that these An.
nua Associations have of late years been destitute
Of representatives from those states wherein the
svil which we desire to eradicate most extensively
prevails. Exertions baveInot been wanting on our
part to the dormant spirit of the friends OF
Dor enslaved fellow men, but those exertions have
proved unavailing. To what is this to be attrib
nted? We believe the true reason why ost ensible
and public measures are not pursued by the ad-
Vocatcs of abolition in the Southern States wi be
Found IN pretty general impression that it would
not, under existing circumstances and 10 the pres.
snt temper of the public mind, be expedient use
Tul. The extreme unpopularity of all combined
Attempts has, therefore, introd uced the substitu
ion Of individual interference as particular
irgencies require. Perhaps IL may not be question