Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-05-14
LETTER FROM I. q. TODD,

one Of the regular Ministers OF the Anti.Slavery
Gospel, visited us, and spoke on the LIST. Sunday
of last month (April). The assembly was not
large, though we think our best heads and hearts
were there. Much prejudice exists against that
class OF lecturers, because they repudiate the
Constitution, and some Of them reject the inspira'
ton of the Bibles Mr.. Foss ought to have been
heard by oil, for he said much truth that ought to
be considered, l think him an able expounder of
Gods truth and mans inalienabie rights. Most
people ,bink the Constitution and Religion OF this
country too sacred and holy to be investigated
with reference to their moral qualities or influence.
The bloody system Of American Despotism, the
most foul and horrid that ever existed on earth, is
sustained las every body knows, by the Federal
Government, in accordance with its Interpretation
OF the Constitution. So The religion Of this
country is generally interpreted by its smooth
and accommodating priests to be 10 perfect bar.
mony with the Internal system. Now I hold, that
all Books, Religions, Constitutions and Laws,
should be regarded just in proportion as they are
just and right-as they contribute to human veal,
and secure the inalienable and God.given rights Of
all, and no further. Mac, God.created and gifted
Man, of supcrnal alliance and Angelic destiny, is
h'SbOi thuu oOOhe, NOnetitutlOub bDu hhWss LC
is the end, and oil these are Blu, means. His we'll.
being and safety are before all, and above all.
All conventional rules and social regulations are,
or should be made to subserve the interests and
happiness OF universal man. When they conflict
with the natural and inherent rights Of any, they
are always wrong. and it is the duty of all good
men to resist them to the extent of their power.
Therefore, l hold, that the law for catching fugi.
tive slaves, which is as cruel and unjust as could
be invented by all the Devils that were ever
damned, ought to be resisted by every person,even
by arms and blood il necessary, If this be treason,
| glory in being a traitor.
Men are now being tried in Cleveland for re.
sisting tyrants in obedience TO God. Long will
that work be remembered, and 30 long will those
heroic men be honored and blessed by all friends
Of liberty. l almost envy them their position and
their glory. Every person who helps to execute
that bloody bebest of a servile Congress lie guilty
Of injustice, of an inhuman outrage. No Elm can
be greater. He should be spurned and scorned
as a hideous william unworthy to associate with
common ccnvicts, No matter what our fathers
agreed to do, we are not bound by their pledges.
No Congress or human Government can ever
authorize or excuse the preparation Of crime.
Nay, no Government in the universe can make
wrong and injustice right and just. 1t was on
this principle that multitudes of men have resist.
ed wrong and oppression at the expense Of their
lives, and acquired for their names everlasting
honor. Our Putnams and Marions fought, and
our Warrens and Montgomeries bled for thi,
glorious principle.
Mr.. Foss proposes that the Northern btates en-
act personal liberty laws. That our Legislature
make Ohio a free State, Constitution or mott.
And that we secure a Judiciary that would unfotse
the decree, that no slayB should 5teaths ohf alf.
That when mans foot presses ont soil Its tdat.
acles shall fall and every inch Of out domain be
consecrated to justice and Liberty. 30 that We
can wash our hands of the great sin and ~dauitlhg
piracy Of this nation. Should the Northern
States do this, Slavery would bc psaesably termi
mated. The shareholders rould be obliged to
etnanclpate their slaves to Keep them tt do their
work. They could not live without them. They
would be Compelled to Offer them ssch wages ss
would induce them 10 labor. This would satsti.
tute compensation for force. And by tbs sfgah:
izatloh Of schools for thei. children, The work Of
progress and elevation would be ihausafated for
the fd.dte generations Of that unfortunate face.
But l hats very llttle faith that The States border.
ing on slavery will ever take a eoafse 90 wise and
just. The tiidsses have so lists sefss of justice,
and are so blinded and bsfoslsd by the slavehold.
Ing ihfdehcs, that I eattot expect such an exet:
olss Of wisdom, gyea sshss, and philanthropy.
No, mol / have lohg unprecedented that the tie,
tnehdous national stiths will ultimately be- wiped
cut Ia blood. | thiBk II must be 50. 10 suppose
sdch d gigantic syststh of cruel and hssftless
despotisht ssh be pstpetuated, indicates q blind.
ness and ihfataatioh equalled only by the huge
Of the system. II is absurd 70 believe
four millions Of slaves, doubling their numbers
stery twenty years, constantly drawing into their
veias large d~raughts Of The pfodd Caucasian
blood, eiafed 10 desperation by unfequited toll,
and all ths Calling and Aesh.mangliug
Of slavery, with all the ihsolencs of
irresponsible power, ard all the bleeding hearts
and broken les Of holy nature, will not, some
day bnptizs tbsif suferings and their wrongs III
the blood Of their oppfessOrs. Scenes Of horror
to make Angels weep would be enacted but
God and an the friends Of justice would be on
The side Of the oppressed. The ruling forces Of
this hatioh seem to be blind to reason, and deaf to
all prudential considerations, given over to believe
ahd practice a monstrous lie, ELL up the vast
Of their ihiquity, and court the final
SO richly deserved.
L. G. TODD.
PARKxAN, May 3, 1869.
Eve presume Their. Il diversity If op;nion sxistino .mon,