Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1860-01-21
n REAL

Charles O'Connor, the distinguished union-savel
of New York, in n recent letter addressed to 4
Committee, states very clearly and logically The
great point, upon the issue of which depends the
permauancy or destruction of slavery and the
Union. 1t is refreshing in these days Of twaddle
and compromise to meet with q man who dares
stand upon one side or The other. judging of Mr.
O'Connor by the following extract, we do not hest.
tate to express a lar greater admiration for him
and his position, than we can possibly feel for
those who proclaim that slavery is sectional, bu,
freedom national. II we were not a Garrisonian
abolitionist, we would be an O'Connorite
Though its minister's can never permit the law
of the land to be questioned by private judgment,
there is, nevertheless, such q thing as natural JUS
tice. Natural Justice has the Divine sanction; and
it is impossible that any human law which COZ
flicts with it should long endure.
where mental enlightenment abounds, where
morality is protested by all, where the mind is
free, speech is free, and the press is free. is it pos
sible, in the nature of things. that a law which is
admitted to conflict with natural justice, and with
Gods own mandate. should long endure?
you all will admit that, within certain limits,
at least, our Constitution does contain positive
guarantees for the preservation of Negro Slavery
in the old States through all time, unless the local
Legislatures shall thii.k fit to abolish it. And,
consequently, if Negro Slavery, however humane
ly administered or judiciously regulated. be an in
stitution which conflicts with natural justice and
with Gods law, surely the most vehemeut and ex-
treme admirer Of John Browns sentiments are
right; and sbeir denunciations against the CoIsti-
tuition, and against the most hallowed names con-
nected with it, are perfectly justifable.
The friends Of truth the patriotic Americans
who would sustain their country's honor against
foreign rivalry, and defend their country interests
against all aasailants, err greatly when they coz
tend with these men on any point but one. Their
general principles cannot be refd,ed; their logic is
the error. if any there be, is in their
premises. They assert that Negro Slavery is I'M
just. This, aud this alone, of all they cay, is ca.
pable Of being fairly argued against.
"If this proposition cannot DO rcfu,ed, DIR Union
endure. and it ought not 10 endure.
Our negro bondmen can neither be extermina.
ted nor transported to Africa. They are too nu-
merous for either process, and either, il practical
bic, would involve q violation of humanity. If
they were emancipated, :hey would relapse into
barbarism, or a set of negro States would arise Iii
our midst, possessing political equality, and enti-
tied TO social equality. The division of parties
would soon make the negro members a powerful
body liz Congross-would place some of them in
high political stations, and occasionally let one
the Executive chair.
at is in vain to say that this could be endured;
t is simply impossible.
"What then remains 20 be discussed?
THE negro race is upon US. With a Constitu-
ion which held them in bondage. our Federal
Union might be preserved; but if so holding them
n bondage be a thing forbidden by God and Ma.
ure, we cannot lawfully SO hold them, and the
Union must perish.
This is the inevitable result of that conflict
which has now reached its climax"