Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-07-16

LECTURES OF M. R. ROBINSON.
WrLsnriELD, Quo, July ], 1885

WrLsnrIELD, Quo, July ], 1859.
Benz. S. JosEs.-DEAR BROTHER: The town Of
Troy has this week had the beue6, Of three even
ing lectures from Mr.. Murius r.. Robinson. And
l am happy to state that | think that he has COM
mended himself and the cause of Liberty & EQUAL
Rights to every mind that listened to him, by his
candor, fairness, Kindness and manifest honesty. /
love to listen TO an honest man, even if he differs
much with me; and a Kind man can say anything
without giving offence. Mr.. r. appears to love
bis country and bis fellow men. 1t was not ap-
thrope, that he portrayed the guilt of our country
and our citizens generally in regard to human
rights. But he pointed out our sins that we might
see them, put them away and do right. This is
the true idea of deity. The pro-slavery character
and conduct Of our Government, was made pain
fully evident. We we're made to see too, and feel
that all classes were involved in the sin Of slavery.
The churches did not escape merited rebuke; for he
would not allow the monster to hide behind church
affairs, or escape destruction by clothing himself
in the garments Of the priesthood. But while he
was faithfully performing this duty, l was highly
gratifed to see tina, he did not in a single express
sion denounce the christian churches and religion
as such. The Bible, our great moral chart, and
true Christianity, the only means of helping and
and saving our world, and giving equal love and
equal rights to all mankind, were spoken of with
reverence. Would that l could say this of all anti
slavery lecturers that / have heard Why cam
not men discriminate between christians and hyp-
ocrites, and not class them all together? There
are bad men crept into all The churches. This
cannot be avoided. Still there is a true church,
and there are true Observation-Disclosures of Christ,
who have never bowed the knee to Baal. l trust
TOO that there are many times seven thousand of
such in our land. Let us purify the church, not
destroy is.
Our lecturer undertook to show, as l think he
did clearly, that we of the North, as a body, are
Shareholders, that we hold the lash over the back
of the suffering bcndman of the South, and keep
him in subsection. This painful truth was not on
ly stated, but the whole scene was painted. l saw
the PROSTATE bondman staked to the ground, wri-
thing in bloody agony, calling loudly for help,
while around him stood with knotted scourge in
hands, q group of men, some southerners out more
northerners, each giving q blow and aiding in the
torture of the wretched victim. My sympathies
were deeply moved: I bore the slaves crushing
weight, l felt the calling chain, every stroke drew
the gore from my own body. l too cried in agony
for help, and my heart took courage, hope revived,
when | saw a bold anti-slavery lecturer Fastening
as 1 supposed to the relief of the crushed slave,
but oh what was my disappointment. how my
heart died within me-, and l sunk in despair, when
on coming near he seized the cruel whip and join
ed the slave master to aid him in keeping his VIC
tim in chains
Mr.. Robinson in his lecture here. did joia with
the stakeholder against the slave. He stated AaI
the U. s. Constitution gives the stakeholder p6us
or to hold slaves. False, ruinous concession raoia
that greatly obstructs our anti-slavery work. zs;u
can some of our own friends turn against us
How can such an honest man as I believe Mr.. r.
to be, make such a woeful mistake? Why can
he not see that if the Constitution were rightly in
terpreted and enforced, it would make a "pertect
Union, establish justice, promote the general vel
fare, and secure the blessings of liberty to our
selves and our posterityf" What matters it il
every Judge, every lawyer, every politician, ev-
cry man, up to this day has wresied the Constitu-
ton, forced it to favor oppression; we are not
bound by their decisions let us break loose
from this se-vility, and now let that valuable Lib
erty-document utter its true sentiments, and speak
out in favor Of the equal rights of every one in
the land. Allow me to interpret the U. S. Cons.
titution, and enforce its principles, its spirit, and
without Wrestling one sentence, but giving its nat
ural meaning, l will protect the life, liberty
and happiness Of every mothers son and daugh.
ter in the United States.
lido not propose 10 argue this question, I know
with pain, that honest men differ here. | regre,
it. When shall we zee eye to eye? We must be
fore the day Of emancipation comes.
II Mr.. Robinson cannot see, what l think is bi.
? error here, can be not leave out the discussion O.
this point2 1t is not necessary to the end h,
seeks. 1t greatly Injuries the influence and mora
power of his lectures. Aside from this thew ar,
excellent, ,they do good. On this point thew d,
0 injury,
I, Whatever course in regard to this point, tbi
brother, considers it his duty to pursue, I shall
believe he is an honest man, and l shall not cen
sure him, but l should rejoice to see him throw
down the whip, leave the Shareholders side, an,
stand by the slave, knock off his chains, and civ,
: him that liberty that our Federal Constitution
rightly construed, would secure to every indiyid
. ual in our land.
Yours for Truth and Equal Rights.
a A. A.. WHITMORE.
. THE following letter cam 10 hand loo late TO