Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-10-22
Ube Antt- 5laperp Buele.
CONTENDING FOR PRINCIPLE.

1t is remarkable that in all the great struggles
which have advanced human nature, the contest
has been for principle, and not for the redress of
some overt wrong One of the most instructive
periods of English history-that of Charles L.
furnishes us an example quite in point. The rev.
olutiou which overwhelmed this monarch, ard es-
tablished forever the liberties of England, was not
ocoasioned by special atrocities-it came as the
result OF an upward tendency of the public mind
too strong for kingly authority. Charles, net
knowing the signs of the times not comprehending
the genius of his own age, fell sacrifice to the
spirit of progress, rather than to his own vices.
Hume thus alludes to this matter:
f"The grievances under which the English la
bored, when considered in themselves, without re-
gard to the constitution, scarcely deserve the
name nor they either burdensome on the
peoples properties, or anywise shocking to the
natural humanity of mankind. Even the impo-
sition of ship money. Independent of the conse-
duehces, was great and evident advantage to
the public, by the judicious use which the king
made OF the money levied by that expedient. All
ecclesiastical affairs were settled by law and un-
interrupted precedent, and the Church was be-
come a considerable barrier to the power, both le-
gal and illegal, of the crown. Peace, too, indus
try, commerce, opulence, nay, even Justice and
lenity of administration notwithstanding some
very few exceptions all these were enjoyed by
the people and every other blessing of govern
ment except liberty and its property security"
(Vol S, p. 93.)
The contest which, century and half later,
established the independence of this country, or
susz ~s~I L. -. IL =. nv
try was in the main we'll governed as colonies
usually are, and the point of resistance was that
OF an abstract right-the right to tax without par
liamentary representation. 1t was purely for
principle that Washington, Adams, Jefferson. and
their compeers stood up in defiance of British pow
er. Some collateral abuses, rected in the Decla-
ration of Independence had made the government
of the mother country offensive, but these were
only incidental, and might have been corrected by
a change of administration, without revolution
But the aim OF the great Simultaneous movement
of the colonies to secure themselves a proper
recognition of rights. They did not complain of
excessive taxation, but of an excessive liability
so long as England claimed the right to tax them
irrespective of their consent, they had no security
against oppression. 1t was this dangerous princi-
pie. much more than any special abuses, that re-
quired to be uprooted, and against this was the
whole storm of the revolutionary war directed
Local abuses there were. no doubt for such there
are in all governments but these did not const-
tute the real cause of that memorable struggle
The principle Of freedom was involved in the con-
troversy, and those who inaugurated the strife did
not wish to wait till the chains we're actually upon
them before they made resistance. There was, in
deed, at this very juncture, to suppose the
e>lonies highly favored Great Britain was not
the worst of masters. and the burdens of the col
onists were actually light; as in the time of
Charles l., there were few extraordinary abuses
Of government. but universal desire for the in
PRODUCTION of better principles. 1t was this state
OF things which deceived such men as Dr. Samuel
johnson, whose Taxation no Tyranny" is at
once monument of his great mental powers,
and Of HE too implicit confidence in nero out
ward appearances.
The contest for principle is not confined to the
state. We have ample proofs on every side, that
ak reforms in the Church take their rise, not so
much from over acts. as from a cool survey of alb
straet principle. In other words, reform is under
taken, not because things are specially worse than
usual, but because the body polite demands
new. element. The Church outgrows the old, and
demands the new. Israel may patiently toll for
hundreds Of years in bondage, but at last there
will be call to 60 out into the wilderness and
worship, and if this call is not heeded, it will
sooner or later work the overthrow of all resisting
f0rcos. From some source there will to every people
in the course Of time, spring up new light, and the
prosperity Of Churches and nations depends upon
readiness to receive such light whenever and