Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1860-02-04
From the Cincinnati Daily Gazette.
AN APPEAL TO CHRISTIANS THROUGH
OUT THE WORLD.

OUT THE WORLD.
The following appeal written by Francis Ellen
Watkins, young coored girl, has been handed
us for publication.
In consequence Of law passed by the Legsla-
ture of Arkansas, compelling the free colored peo-
pie either to leave the State or TO be enslaved, we
number of exes driven out by this inhum an
statute who reached Ohio on the 4th of January
1860, feeling deep sense Of the wrong done US,
make this Appeal to the Christian world.
We appeal to you, as children of common
Father and believers in crucifed Redeemer
To-day we are exiles, driven from The homes of
our childhood, the scenes Of our youth, and the
burial places of our friends. We are exles. not
that our hands have been stained with guilt, or
our lives accused of crime. Our fault, in a land
OF Bibles and Churches. of baptisms and prayers,
is, that in our veins flows the blood of On outcast
race; race oppressed by power, and prescribed
BY prejudice: race Graded in wrong, and nur-
tured in oppression.
In the very depth of the winter we have left a
genial climate OF sunny skies, to be homeless
stran gers in the regions of the icy North Some
of the exiles have left children, who we're very
dear; but to stay with them, was to involve our
selves in lifetime of slavery. Some left dear
companions they were enslaved, and we had no
other alternative than slavery or exile. We were
weak; our oppressors were strong. We were a
feeble, scattered, people; they, being powerful,
placed before US slavery or banshment. We chose
the latter. Poverty, trials, and all the cares Incl
dent to a life of freedom, are better, far better
than slavery.
From this terrible injustice, we appeal to the
moral sentiment Of the world. We turn to the
Tree North, but even here oppression tracks our
steps. Indiana shuts her doors upon u.s. Illinois
denies US admission to her prairie no mes Ore
son refuses us an abiding place FOR the soles of
our weary feet And Minnesota has our
exclusion under consideration. In Ohio we found
kind hearts; hospitality opened her doors gener-
Gus hands reached out warm and hearty vel
come. For this, may the God of the fatherless
ever defend and bless them.
And now, Christians we appeal to you u,as heirs
of the same heritage. and children Of the same
Father, to protest against this gross and nhuman
outrage, which has been committed beneath the
wing Of the American Eagle, and 10 the shadow
VI the American Church. We ask you by the love,
the pity,and the mercy,in the religion of jesus
Christ, that you will raise your voices and protest
against this sin.
Editors OF newspapers, formers ofpublic opinion,
conductors of intelligence and thought; we entrea,
you to insert this appeal in your papers and
unite your voices agaist this outrage which dis
sraces our land and holds it up to shame before
the nations of the earth. We entreat you to
move q wave Of influence, which will widen and
noI al ,,,h al A. l.. 4
wash away this stain.
| Christian mothers, by our plundered cradles
and child bereft hearts, we appeal to you and ask
your protest
Christian fathers, by all the eacred associations
that cluster around the name, father, we appeal to
you to swell the tide Of indignation, against our
shameful wrongs.
We appeal to the church of Christ among all
nations, kindrsds tongues, and people to.1orotest
against the inhumanity that has driven Us from
our homes and our kindred.
Members of al! political partes we ask your
protest, in the name Of common humanity
against this cruel act of despotism.
Christian Ministers, we appeal to you, in the
name of Him, who came TO preach good tidngs
to the meek, to bind up the brokenhearted; to
proclaim liberty to the captive; and the opening Of
the prison to them that ore bound to lay before
your congregations, the injustice done u.s. and the
wickedness of system that tramples on the fec
BILE, and crushes out the rights of the helpless.
And We appeal to the God of the fatherless,
and the Judge of the widow, that He will remsm-
Der His word. Inasmuch as ye have done it to one
| IF the 1aa aat NJ thaee hav
that he will move the hearts of His children
everywhere to unite their testimony against this
unequalled iniquity that writes property on man.
that chattelizes the immortal mind; and makes
merchandise of the deathess soul. We appeal to
Him who does not permit sparrow to fall to the
ground unnoticed, to plead the cause of the poor
and needy, and set him at rest from him that puff
eth at him.