Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1861-04-27

to hear him preach, my high church Episcopal
friend doubts my orthodoxy. Ii attend con-
yention Of radical reformers, and declare the de-
bates exceedingly interesting, am in danger OF
being taken for "freeslover." If | am found
reading tho writings Of Tom Paine or Judge Ed
mOnds, l am suspected Of having strong leaning
toward Iufielity or Spiritualism.
The vulgar mind will have it, that mental food
rejected by the reason as unpalatabe, cannot be
very ambrosia to another faculty. What mon
strous mistake Why il the devil were to set up
as a clergyman here iu New York, and preach
eloquently, l would 60 every Sunday to hear him
advocate vice, rather than 90 to hear an arch
angel discourse stupidity on virtue. What care
for man cho merely reflects my otcn previously
formed opinions? lie is Of no use to me. Nay,
he is decided bore to rle. The same thread
bare story over again the same oft-repeAted joke;
i the same musty truism-this is wha! hear from
him what know already by heart, and, coDse-
quently, do not want to hear reiterated want
something new, something original, something
entertaining, something which will exercise my
mind if it be truth, well aad good If il be not,
also we'll and good
i The man who cannot sit patiently nay, with
delight, and here all that he thinks true and good
and sacred, and holy, denounced with ability aud
eloquence, has totally depraved mind, is in the
gail of bgotry and the bonds Of prejudice, and is
travelling the broad road to intellectual pord;ion
The person who goes out of church if the preach
er commences to demoiSh favoIite theory of bis
the person who Kisses political sreaker If he
attacks his party-tho person who cries down an.
other for giving expression to his honest convic-
tiLns anywhere, ut all times, and under any cir
cumstanees, is narrow minded, contem ptible
creature.
There is no more noble quality Of character
than intellectual impOr;iality- than the capacity
20 appreciate and enjoy what an able opponent
may say. Ia illustration OF this cardinal virtue
let me relate anecdote
Some years ago, while in college, accom- pain
ed law student (now q distinguished Massachu-
setts judge) from Cambridge into Boston, to hear
the celebrated Rufus Caoa.o deliver political
speech at Faneuil Hall. Being jealous whig,
my political opinions coineded with those Of
the orator but my companion bitterly op-
posed to him, being radical anti-Savery man,
belonging to the then nascent free.soi! party
Reaching the hall early, we secured good
stapdng position near the rostrum, and waited
resolutions had been read and adopted, ,Choate was
! introduced, and commenced oae OF his most eio-
quent speeches. Before long, from "glittering
gcneraties," which any one might be expected to
applaud, he came to the particular principles in
volved in the Presidential contest, and began dis
secting, with his terrible sarcasm, unparalleled
wit, and passionate logic, the doctrines Of the
free soil party assailing particularly, in terms
more fierce, scathing and inyectiye than ever
heard public man scourged with before their
candidate, Martin Van Burcn.
As my eyes were rivitcd upon the countenanco
OF the orator, thought some whig standing close
behind me was going crazy with excitement for
at every round of applause pair of feet were
stamping there more violently than anywhere else
in my vicinity, and, at every three cheers, voice
there hurrahei louder than any other l could hear
Turning my head, by-and by, while nine cheers
we're being given, to see who the enthusiastic
individual was, there stood my just now ardent
free. soil friend, red in the face as beet waving
his has wildly in the air, and shouting as if he
we're mad
| OF course, after this display, supposed that
he had been converted by the magic eloquence of
the orator and reaching the street at the close OF
the meeting congratulated him upon the wonder
full change of mind he had experienced.
"Why, l haven's changed my opinion" he re-
piled. 81 am, if possible stronger free-soiler
than when 1 went into the hall"
"IIow is that" l said. Didn't hear you
cheering Choate when he was coming down on
your candidate like a thousand and FIVE hundred
of brick ? In fact, were you not about the era
ziest man in the audience 2"
"To be sure applauded him." was bis reply,
"for he got off some of the witest and most elo.
quent things ever bearl in my life. That's why
l hurrahed-because what he said was SO Geuced
good, not because agreed with him."
thought that answer indicated a highly yirtu.
Gus mind,
! MdiS, rereRonSa nos moutoRs. like fanatics
too because they are always in earnest, and,
consequently, always honest. Who doubts tho
honesty of such men as Garrison and Phlips2
men so thoroughly in earnest that they would not
hesitate a moment to lay down their lives for
what they believe to be the truth. This is what
gives such persons an eVer-increasiug influence,
creates for them new friends, and draws to them
new followers continually, no matter how crazy
their projects.
like fanatics, also, because they display moral
heroism which is shown by no other class of
persons. They are never afraid to express their
opinions, but stand ready to proclaim them at all
times, and at all places. The consequence of
this is(what must be deures to them than life il
seltl the loss Of their reputation and followed by
years of contempt, shame and disgrace.
/ can remember when Garrison used to be pelted
with rotten eggs and when not twenty persons
in the whole city Of Boston would acknowledge
Theodore Parker as friend. "He that loseth his
,ife shall save it" They believe in this text,
though they may reject all the rest of the Bible
It is absolutely true, that SO long as man cares
for his popularity until his worldly reputation is
lost, and his social character gone. II Is quite i'm
possible for him to pursue any manly noble