The weekly union record., 1865-08-19

! the desdly hatred nov felt toward it. 10 the
least sbste, until the last root of its bitterness
shall have persisted.
| 1t is one thing however to bate slavery be,
cause it has harmed US, aud quite another thing
to hate it because uroag. We are apt to dc
things quite too sel6shly to ask Gods blessing
upon them.
/ The war has done much to inaugurate free
dom. Our hatred to slavery may have com
menced in sel6shness, but it will end 10 princi
pie. Questions that once divided the people
such as the colored mans ability to bear arms
whether be knows his friends ard can appre
ciate kind treatment. as well as whether bis
feeling and habits tend 10 insurrection. or the
peaceful pursuits of industry. no longer dis
tract. If during the war, We have felt at
times bitterly towards those who with arms
sought to overthrow our Government, we have
learned to increase that hatred hundred fold
! towards the institution having such power 10
demoralize. Or if few weeks ago We had
arrived at point Of commisseration and pity
for the deluded masses, so that the prime lead.
ers of the rebellion were likely to escape un-
punished, the assassination of our chief magis-
trate, has made it certain that the crime Of
treason will reap its reward.
We are now looking for peace. Perhaps
God has let fall the needed calamity that may
serve TO unite all hearts. This is appointed
as naiional preparation day for the good
time coming. 1t behooves US therefore to look
at our own sins, and repent of them before
God.
Let US look q. our own completely with slav-
cry. What efforts were made by our North
ern people to make this question merely politi-
cal? Mercenary motives governed. The mass
of pulpits have been efectually barred from
any manly utterance in behalf of freedom.
People have been taught from childhood that
it is wrong for the minister TO instruct his
people in the uneqnalled blessings of freedom,
or the moral responsibility Of the voting power.
The few who have been fearless have gener
ally been so at the expense of their popularity,
and as often deprived of their meagre support.
How men have rung the words, I'VE will not
pay you If you introduce the nigger.' sys
,emalic course looking 10 starvation, or silence,
has been generally pursued. Should there no,
be repenling of this completely with the
crime of crimes? Will you not say TO your
minister, Lift up thy voice, cry and spare not, y
show Us our sins, even the great sin of human
bondage!
We branded those who loved freedom for
all men as fanatics, and bad men. So bitter
has been the hate against anti slavery men,
that the term "Aboliiionist" was an epithet
from which men shrank as from the term
horse thief, or burglar. That term has lost its
odum now.
Few men will shrink longer If they now
blush it will be that they ever had an apology
to offer, for crime so utterly at variance with
the better feelings Of our natures.
This war has forced our Government nto
the abolishing of slavery. This measure has
now come to be universally conceded as the
price of our national existence. To be loyal
now is to set your face against oppression in
all its FORMS The colored soldier having aided
in this war BY freely exposing his life in a
common defence, DOW returns asking at your
recognized as citizen in time of danger, shall
not the same recognition be extended in time
of peace? 1t would seem that none but
traitors could desire to return such to slavery,
or in the least abrldge his rights. No man
shonld hereafter hold Office under the Ameri
can government who makes the rights of man
turn on the color of his skin. "One law" is
the voice of God. "One law is the voice Of
true democracy.
Until of late we have shut cut from the
Christian literature Of this country the entire
knowledge of the sin Of slavery. To make
the work complete we mutilated books that
came across the waters written in reference to
bible times, and giving events of sacred his
tory. No wonder that people grew up who
talked loudly of gospel without politics. "
Now the people are ready to lombard the
pulpit tba, does not preach and pray the poll
tics of freedom.
We prosecuted unto death those who held
and used freedom as the right Of all men,.
Few but those who have preached the gospel,
know TO what extent the barbarism of slavery
has been made to tell against Gods ministers.
Hunted from place to place. neither salary,
person or character was safe to the few who
dared speak against it. We bound ourselves
under heavy penalties as a nation. to become
the detectives of fleeing slaves. We revoked
solemn pledges long since made TO freedom,
and opened virgin soil to the ravages of sav
cry.
We construed the Constitution 50 as to
cover nearly all pro-slavery action. while it
was found to be opposed 10 the demands of
freedom. Now witness the change made in
these laws without change made 10 the Con-
stitution. as for instance the Fugitive Slave
Law 1t makes great difference which side
the popular voice is on, in our Interpretation
OF these things. In such days, we could see in
the infexibe lover of freedom, only .fanaticlsn
while to the demagogue of slavery We gave