Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-09-17
REMARKS OF PARKER pILLspURY
Upon the presentation Of the Annual Report Of The
Erecutioe Committee Of W. A. s., Society.

u tho tcuuiuB VI thot iso1oiN fuuVcut L tnluh .
never read a Report Of greater import than it.
1t lie as important as any document that has been
presented to the American people since the Dec
~laration of Independence. If there ever was a
second time when the people should declare their
independence that time is now. l did think my
own native state had bowed sufficiently low at the
behes, of the Slave Power, but it seems that Ohio.
the young and brawny giant Of the west, will
stoop still lower even than Massachusetts.
1t seems to me that our declaration of indepen-
depce should also be q declaration Of wal. l
speak not of q war with deadly weapons, and yet
it is time we all were welding something. If l
believed in martial valor as a virtue, l would train
myself in the use of deadly weapons; and had |
sons, if 1 did not wholly follow the example Of the
old Carthagenian, | would at least bring them to
the altar of Liberty and swear them to use their
weapons in defense Of Freedom.-ft is no. Chris
tianity on the part Of the people but co,oardice
that deters them from deeds Of violence and
bloodshed.-We, as a people, justify the late Eu-|
ropean war. We have r~ejoiced over the march Of
allied armies against the house Of Hapsburg. 1t
is true there was cause for resistance to the de-
mands Of Austria-but where they had one degree
of cause, we have the whole ninety degrees Of the
moral hemisphere. The man who has lifted up
his voice in prayer for Italy and not offered up a
single petition for the pining American b~ondman,
has done the slave q y wrong. We need not cross
oceans TO find objects worthy Of our sympathy
Wo of Ohio need not cross the Ohio even to find
proper subjects upon whom to bestow our sympa-
thy and regard. Where Is Ohio to dayi 1 am
not often surprised at anything, and yet l came
80 l.:-- .,.~~.-1 n ebark ts.nn 400 -b.n I
heard that the people of Ohio were rejoicing over
the release of the Oberlin prisoners. Mr.. Chair
man, their release was q perfect surrender of the
rights Of Ohio to de~spotism.-A despotism TOO,
than which, The despotism of Austria is far light
er. But of this fact the people are not aware, for
they are sunk too low in obedience to the behests
of the South, to be conscious Of this deep degra-
cation. Their action proves that "a nation may
loae its liberties in q day and be a century in find
ing it out" Why, the people Of the old world
laugh at onr professions of liberty. There is not
a despot on his throne but is strengthened in his
tyranny by the example of the American people.
Tho diplomacy of this country and the action Of
the general government and the political parties
is an almighty %anodyne to a ~dospotic conscience.
The oppressed and doxn-trodden in the old world
oiuh III ueepeE ucptus VI ueepalT, WHeu tuey DeuOIu
the degradation to which the American people are
plunged in their loud professions of liberty and
equality, while holding in mcrciless bondage
four millions of native born citizens.
We have been trying in SOME parts Of the coun.
try, for q Personal Liberty Bill. In Ohio and
Mass. and in N. Y. and in other states have we
been trying for such a bill, but we have not
yet succeeded. Now what is it we ask by such a
billi Why simply that our citizens shall be pro-
tected in the exercise Of all their rights as citi-
zens-that our jails shall not be converted into
slave pens and that the kidnapper shall be treated
as his deeds fully warrant snd deserve. Talk
about the despotism Of Austria It is a quar-
ter Of q century since Austria was as free as Ohio
will be when you pass the Liberty Bill The
slave is free in France in Turkey he is free, in
Austria his shackies fall; and in fact in every part
of Gods world except his own country. With oil
our boast of freedom, our highest virtue to-day
is hardly up to Austria's faults.
The political parties are altogether too nearly
Joined to be spoken Of separately. Their god ha,
Joined them together, and what their god has
Joined, l will not try to put asunder! OF the two
great political parties of the day, if there is any
difference. it is in favor of the Democratic. Wha,
that party does, it does openly above board: with.
out concealment or compromise. Is there a good
living, moving, breathing democrat present to
day 2 IA voice, Yes.) Well, what does your party
ask by its compromises with the South? Will
you answer. mo response) l do not like these NUT,
democrats who cannot or dare not speak in defense
Of their party or its actions But it does appear
to me the Democratic party has the advantage
over the Republicans in one particular. Tho they
serve the Devil with all their power, they never
rails the banner Of apti-slavery under which to RAIL-
their forces, l do not know what tho Democratic
, party can do for the South that it has not done
Most truly has the Curse on The Serpent been fol
=. fled on this party-it bends and bows to the slav,
power-it goes on its belly and cats dirt oil tn,
, days of it's life F.! Why, ! do wish there were a few
speaking democrats present. There are some sucl
in Ohio l am told ! I wish one such was her,
and would come upon this platform and tell US
there is anything more the Democratic party cal
do for Southern despotism that it has not done al
ready Each successive President tries to out d
all his predecessors in service to the great idol o
this land. If President Pierce served the slav
power worse than James Buchanan, it is becaus
he was weaker than Buchanan They do say tha
Pierce was under great obligations TO Buchanan fo
making his (Pierce's) administration so respecta5v
4 and profitable in every feature and department.
r / have known Pierce from boyhood. lie has ne,
n or been known for his great talents even as a Law
yer. l heard a man say Of him. and one of hi
n own acquaintance too. she is considered a goo
!, lawyer in court IL tho man agement Of third ra
4 cases. Tut to make him a President and sprea
o him out over the Vhoe country il does make hi,
q almighty hinl" Well, what are thes e%poli:ical pa
d ties doing for the next presidency The Demcc. oil
party is weighing up it's powers and faculties
m looking around for material out Of which to max
the next President. / cannot make the Republ
can party much b etter. The New York Tribur
which is the Oracle ofthe party. this Law an
,e Prophets, Gospels. Acts and Epistles. is in h
+ same business, searching and feeling around {,
n material for the next Presidential Campaigl
I'M