Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1860-12-22
SALEM, OHIO, DECEMBER %, 1860.
POLITICIANS.

tULkllJEANO'
The politicians at Washington, and those whom
they represent may thus be classified in regard to
their views on secession. First; Southern eE-
.remists, who urge immediate secession. Sec,nd;
Those who favor secession but are willing to wait
with the hope that the North will offer such com
promises as will induce them to remain in the
Union. Third; Northern extremists who propose
to the South a choice between submission or war.
Fourth; Northern compromisers who are willing
to yield all that is required for the sake OF conoil-
iation.
While we think the South has just cause for
complaint 10 the enactment of personal liberty
bills such as some Of the states have passed, and
which, if designed to apply to fugitive slaves, are
clearly violations Of the Constitutions; and also 10
the unwillinguess and consequent refusal upon the
part of the North to deliver up ~fugi;ives held to
service or labor; we see, that on the other hand,
the North might as an Offset urge as great viola
tons Of the Constitution on the part OF the South,
and shat too, without including her persistent Vio-
lations Of the freedom of speech and of the press,
and which, so far as the u. 5. Constitution Is
concerned, she has a perfect right to do, nctwith-
standing the popular northern belief to the con-
'trary. But the question as to whether her alledg-
ed injuries are real or fancied, in no wise affects
her right to withdraw from the Union; and for
northern men to talk about compelling submission
by a resort to the sword, is practical despotism,
and q threat unworthy the lips of any one who
truly loves freedom. While war would be disas-
ferrous to the South, it would also be DISASTROUS to
the North; and if the States of the South should,
by the fortunes Of war, become conquered proVin-
'ces. the standing army necessary to keep them in
subsection would drain from the veins of northern
prosperity all its lIfe-blood. The object to be Sc
cured would not pay, and Yankee ~shrewdness will
not engage in u war unless there is some prospect
that the returns will more than balance the out
lays.
We do not blame that portion Of the South that
looks TO the North to give indemnity for the past
and security for the future; but we have no re-
spect for Northern suhmissionists, who, for the
sake of political power and pecuniary profit are
willing to cram themselves to repletion with Hum
BILE Pie. Perhaps they are not to be blamed so
much as pitied, for they may be closely allied by
nature with that reptile that was condemned to
eat dust all the days of its life. Compromise, in
our fathers time patched up a hollow truce be-
tween Liberty and Slavery; but in 1920 the truce
needed a renewal, and the Missouri line was run,
giving to slavery all territory south of it; in 1850
another compromise was demanded, and Wings
and Democrats united upon the Fugitive slave
law; and now, in 1860, the Union must 60, unless
other and greater concession may save it for a
little while, and Jut for a little while.
We should be glad if some northern man in
Congress, or some leader out Of Congress, would
look at this question from a fair and manly stand
point. We should like him to say to the South,
"Yuu have a right to secede whenever you choose
60 to do. whether for real or fancied wrongs, or
because of mere caprice. We shall rejoice to be
formally d%isunited, as we now are In feeling from
the slave-claiming States, and to be relieved of all
political responsibility in relation to slavery.
Such separation will unquestionably eventuate ia
the emancipation of your slaves, and by so doing
greatly benefit you, Having a right to secede, all
threats to compel you to choose between the alter
natives of submission or war. are out of place and
unjust. Establish, if you choose, a separate re-
public TO protect slave-labor; we have no right to
offer any opposition, and shall not; but while you
strive to bu ID up slave labor, are shall illustrate
even more lorcible than heretofore the advanla-
ges and honor Of free labor"
A peacable secession 10 not only desirable, but
is a measure which may readily be attained unless
the north insists upon using power and Authority
MS convertible telms, and compelling, or trying to
compel the Southern states to live in fraternal
union with the North--which involves a prepos-
ferrous idea. We are not, and have not been for
years United States" in any just sense Of the
term; and whether for the sake Of continuing APP
pearaucc, for political power, or pecuniary gain it
is worth while for either the North or the South to
become a voluntary yassal to the o:her, is for
those who control the government TO decide SO far
MS actions can.