Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1860-09-01
RATIONAL RADIoAL1sM.

While we have great respect for those earnest
auii-s'avery men who are ever matchmaking in
tho great principles Of Freedom, warning against
political heresy and hcar:lessness, and insisting
upon all rights for all men, we nevertheless cannot
sympathize with those who are Indifferent to q
Republican success in this campaign, or who
would prefer a Democratic to a Republican victo.
ry. 1t seems to us that the most radical abolition.
lists, even IL they cannot consistently vote for the
candidates, ought still to desire the triumph Of the
Republican party in our Government. They may
reason in this wise: The time for a national move
ment for the abolition of slavery seems not yet to
have come-a as radical abolitionists we cannot
carry a township in the nation. Either the Repub-
lican or the Democratic party will be in power for
the ensuing four years. We must be passing
through these years, waiting the growth and de-
velopmeut of truth and hiding our time. Of the
two great parties, we know that Freedom has moth
ing to hope for from the Democratic, for it has
been tried, while we do not know the same Of the
Republican, for 1t has not been tried. The Demo-
cratic party has proved itself helplessly, hopeless
ly PRO slavery-it is the exponent of Oppression,
and has for years been wholly and actively 10 the
employ of the slave.driving South, whose COM
merce is in the bodies and souls of men. The
Republican party. be it what it may, has absorbed
the anti.slavery masses of the North-it is the ex,
ponent of whatever anti-slavery political action
has any power or force in the country. The slave.
holders look upon the Party, be it what it may, as
the embodiment of the national sentiment against
slavery-as their chief and only dangerous foe.-
This party asks to be put in power-it asks to be
tried, Then let US try it. If il prove true to
Freedom, If 1t shall demonstrate that it has q pro-
gressively anti slavery heart and purpose, then
,rdL. If on the contrary it proves reckless of
human rights and regardful only Of spoils and
power, then shall WI know its true character, and
the anti slavery masses, having tested its charac.
ter, and found it wanting, will re-organize and
resume the legitimate prosecution of the anti sla-
very movement. Until thus found wanting, we
cannot hope to shaken the confidence of the peo-
pie in it, weaken their hopes regarding it, or turn
their political work into another channel. As we
pass along then, let the party be undergoing its
testing process-let us give it our benedictions
and our aid-and if it turns out q fraud, We shall
have that stumbling block removed, and the way
will be clear for truer and more radical action
We say that, in our opinion, this is the reasoning
NulCu eNeu u ulOeb llOIOuSu hDDllblOulsI mhy
properly hold, with regard to this matter.
The above is from the Erie True american,
whose editor is far more anti-slavery than the
mass Of Republicans. When we see political
abolitionists take such a position as indicated
above, it ceases to be q marvel that the ant:-slave
ry Of the Republican organization has been home
pathically diluted until there remains but on in
Intestinal shadow Of tho substance of the ole
Liberty party. The hope of the american is has
ed upon negatives rather than positives--upon tn
assumed fact that the party has not been tried. /
seems strange that those who like the editor of til
american, have at heart the abolition Of slavery
and have faith in political action for its overthrow
instead of organizing a party which shall at leas
ciain, to be anti-slavery, which the Republican
party does mott or better still, joining the poli,ica
abolition party already formed, they give thci
influence and support to a party which, according
to the american, has not yet been tested an
whose true character is therefore not known.
So far as the Republican party has been teste
it has proved itself false to the rights Of the slav
though true to its own professions as being 'th
white mans party 1t denies to the colorcd ma
Of the North equal legal and political rights, gu
tains slavery in half Of the states, upholds til
r rendition of fugitive slaves, condemns job
Browns heroic and martyr attempt to write o,
Q tho Declaration of mans Equality in Virginia, e
among the graVest of crimes and PROMISES
c The event Of success in the national campaign-t
n restore the former good feeling in every section
the Union, when the right of every man to wallc
: his own niger was uuquestioned, provided II
chastisment was not given upon territorial soil.
Under such circumstances TO have the editor
n the american talk about what abolitionists mu
do in case the Republican party proves rcckle
If human rights, &C., forcibly reminds us of ii
case of a man who said 20 another, You CALI
me names. You said l was u scoundrel. Y,
ID knocked me down. You kicked me. You spat
pr me-. | now give you fair warning not to proce,
f to extremities, or you may rouse the lion within,
When the american has the lion aroused, o
readers shall be informed of the fact.