Anti-slavery bugle. [volume], March 24, 1855, Image 1

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

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MAUI US It. HOMXSOX, EDITOR.
"NO UNION WITH SLAVEHOLDERS."
AXX I'EARSOX, I'UnLlSHlXa AQEKV.
VOL. 10. NO. 32.
SALEM, COLUMBIANA COUNTY, OHIO, SATURDAY, MAltCII 2-1, 1S55.
WHOLE NO. 404.
ANTI-SLAVERY BUGLE.
LETTER FROM REV. A. T. FOSS.
ROME, Noble Co., (Ind.) Feb. 24, 1855.
Disah Fribnd Garrison: It may not bo wholly
uninteresting to the friends in the Kirn to henr a J
word of thB progress of the trout and good work
of freedom for nmu in the wide West.
During the four months that I have bcon in the
West, I have becomo fully assured that tho people
here are more accessible to the rinli-slnvcry worker,
nnd consequently more interested in the anti-slavery
work, than the peoplo of more Eastern States.
I have, in company with tho Griflings, spoken the
tho anti-slavery gospel to many thousand, in Michi
gan an J Indiana. Tho pro-slavery character of
the religious bodies of the land has been clearly
announced and demonstrated. Also, tho pro-slaver
character of the Constitution of the country,
and the immorality and crime of giving it so) port
or toleration hat been as clearly and strongly set
forth as we have had ability to do. All this the
people have listened to with an interest which
gives hope of better and mora Christian action in
the future. To be sure we have met with some
very violent opposition, by defenders of a corrupt
ministry ana Church, now decayed into a mass ot
moral putrescence, which 'causcth the land to
stink'; and also from the political hacks who are
vainly attempting to prop up a tyrannical govern-1
ment, now reeling to its fall. Rut, each of these 1
aomonsiranons nas oniy served to nx more deeply
in too minus 01 tnc people tun utter wortliiessness
af a religion without purity, and a governmnnt I
without righteousness; nny, more, ot tho injury !
which both these satanic powers are working to j
iL. I
IOC llUlirill lltCC.
I cannot
give you a deteiled account of all our ,
meetings, sol will give von, us a specimen, nn
account of one of our last meetings hulden in Lima,
Legrango Co., Indiana. Tho Baptist Church, in
whoso house wo held our meetings, is regarded as
the most ultra anti-slavery body among nil the
churches in this vicinity. I had, soma six days I
previous io me noiuiog oi our meeting, ueenni!1""
the totvn and spoken twice on nnti-slavcry; nnd !
made arrangements for a future series of meetings,
be attended in company with the Gr.flings. j
Just previous to going into my hist lecture, 1 was ,
that the Methodist minister had refused i
to read a notice of my mooting, which was preson-
ted to him by a lady of his church. I, of course,
felt il my duty, under these circumstances, to de- j
most of the evening to an exhibition of the
pro-tilaverj charactes of tho Methodist Episcopal i
Church. The anti-slavery Baptists listened, of
course, with great interest to this exhibition of
facts, and many and warm were the commenda
tions which they gave me for fidelity to the truth
and to bleeding humanity. One, however, of the
Baptist members, expressed some dissatisfaction
that I had passed over the Baptists too lightly. I
promised him, that on our return, I would make
ample amends for this delinquency.
WeII, on Saturday, the 15th im tant, we arrived
tq commence our lectures, and found a goodly con
gregation ready to hear the word, which we were
as ready to speak. At the closo of our evening
meeting, 1 gavo notice that on Sabbath morning,
iritb lUa eonvoni of th puAtor, -Kldor FlemmUi,
I would speak of iny anti-slavery experiences
among tho Baptists. Mr. F. was not present at
the Saturday overling meeting. He, it should be
understood, preached only on Sunday mornings in
Lima. I met Mr. F. on Sunday morning, nnd
made the proposition to him, to allow me to relate
my experience in place of a sermon, lie declined,
on tho ground that somo thought anti-slavery too
political to be discussed on the holy Sabbath, nnd
de thought it best, on the whole, to hold the usual
worship meeting. He consequently prayed, read
tlii SoriplilroH, tho choir sung, and the Elder gave
us a sermon, which, he said was founded on the
admirable words of Paul, ' Now, if any in an have
not tho spirit of Christ, ho is none of his.' He
gave us n, very wordy nnd boisterous talk upon
many things in general, and -nothing in particular.
In the afternoon, I told what had been my experi
ence in the Baptist denomination. I traced the
action of our large religious bodies, from IS.'Ij down
to tho present time, on the subject of sluvory, and
proved, by their own published documents, that
they hud always been, and were now, in opposition
to anti-slavery, and in coalition aud Christian fel
lowship with slaveholders.
While I was presenting these documentary facts
and interspersing them with many incidents of
which I had been personally cognisant, thcro was
A pleased and gratified cxrrossion on the faces cf
many of my Baptist brethren; but when I reached
the Free Mission Society to which this church is
strongly attached, and which they had regarded ns
par excellence an anti-slavery body; nnd commen
ced a friendly criticism upon its nnti-slavcry character,-
the expression of many faces was changed
to doubt and distrust, and somo, to what seemed to
me excited angry feeling. I stated plainly these
facts: First, that, strictly speaking, there was no
tuch thing as a Free Mission Church; that tho
churches wdiich favored the Free Mission Society as
freely admitted members who favored nnd co-ope-HteoT
with the pro-slavery religious bodies in the
denomination ns those who only co-operated with
the Free Mission Society. Secondly: that tho
churches which favored the Free Mission Society
Yrere a part of the Baptist denomination, exactly
as wore the churches that repudiated that Society,
and regarded it as wholly unnecessary. Thirdly:
that some of the leading and influential members
f the Free Mission Society wero also members,
and were so made within the last two or three years,
of the ncknowledgedly pro-slavery bodies in the
baptist denomination. Fourthly: thnt tho Free
Mission pastors exchanged pulpits freely with the
most pro-slavery ministers in the denomination,
y.vcn Dr. Sharp, who denounced the higher law of
Ood, and exhorted us to obey the laws of the land,
'whether good or'evil. wise or unwise, right or
vruovo,' was not disfellowshipped by the Free
Mission ministers. Fifthly: that their principal
missionary, William Judd, wnnt into Dr. Sharp's
church and plead the cause of his mission, and
took money for its support.
, Now, the Free Mission Society started with the
'principlo that it would not receive the blood-money
of the slaveholder for the cause of missions.
Where is the difference between tnking this blood
money diroctly from the slaveholder or indirectly
from his apologist? I staled what is my deepest
oonviotion, that between the American Baptist For
eign Mission Society and the American Baptist
"Mimionary Union, so far as the slavery question
isoneerned, there is now noappreciablo difference
iWKm 1 bad closed, our friend Charles Griffing
arose .and said he would like to inquire of tho pas-
tor, whotvu presont, what we were to understand
try a Free Mission Church? lie wished to know
-whether the relation of the church was not the
'am to the P. M. Society as to any other external
twt. . f. in.tn- il, Whiff r.r Iieiniiernlii!.
a, for instance, tho Whig, or jJemocrnlio,
of iusion party If fur belonging to and co'op-
Ls:.. it r i.ni..n..;n
.ttreting with pro-tAtvery bodice iu religion or puli-
-tiea, they would discipline a member the same as
. for any other iuimorn&ity, or coalescence with iin
'imoral and wicked bodies t Tho pastor sought to
evade these searching question. lie said they
haono 'iron bedstead,' (to. He was nut tho church,
mi oould not -answer it Mr. U. mid, But you
ievra tha religious toneuer oS this church, and ought
o know- what action, in tisose eases, (he church
sicem it rigni to taae, or wnetner tuey oceni any
Aottoi at all necesuirr. Ike castor refused all
-ViireoiMrera to bM inquiries id thereby gve
satisfactory evideoee (a all, candid inind, that no
action at aliwuhJie Ukon io thw eases. Mi-.G.
toJd b jWr liit ibiy could not plead that thry
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iyinpaiiiy oi me nuuience, winch wns very
large. Mrs. (i. recited tho deacon's sayings of the
afternoon to tho au lionco. When she closed, I re
to marked upon the fact thnt the church in Lima,
famed for its nnti-sliivery character, hnd its coin
informed munion board spread monthly by this deacon ; who
denied to tho slaves of this land tho application of
the most precious passages of the liible. (hie of
'be elderly ladies of the congregation, and nn es
vote teemed member of the church, said in a calm, but
had no 'irvn bedstead' as an excuse fur non-action
in the cases referred to, because they had such an
article for all cases which they deemed immoral ;
and the fact that they had none for these oases was
evidence conclusive that they, as a body, did not
regard tho cases put, as humoral.
This questioning, and the embarrassment it oc
casioned tho pastor, created much excitement an
ill-feeling among foine of the members of the church
claimed that it was unouui-Mous and unchris-1
tian towards tho pastor ; und yet all Candid persons
must have seen that the quef lions wore put in a
kind and calm manner, and could have created no
excitement at nil, if the pastor bad been willing to
have imparted the information which ho was well
ablo to give, and which every demand of Christian
courtesy required lie should give.
During the afternoon, Mis. Grifling went through
tho congregation nnd solicited donations to the!
V ostei n and Michigan A. S. .Societies. This is
always a good test of the nnti-slavcry principle
among any people. Most of the audience rosnon-
ded liberally. The principal deacon, however, de-!
ivcloped bis pro-slavery character, which, up to t!ii
time, had not been known to the church, nnd, quitb
pronauiy, not to lumsill. 11c, with much feeling,
and in very distinct though somewhat agitated
loncs, declared lie had nothing to givo to people
woo misapplies me stered M-nptures. Mrs. O.
ntu
asked him to bo specilic. 'Well, you misapplied
that passage in Isaiah, which represents Christ as
coming to open the prison doors t. them that are'
hound. Christ f.crc had no allusion to slavery. He
"j icicrs 10 spuuuai noinrige. .virs. u. tojj inui
ns vvunng 10 accept that exposition, and still
niust apply eminently to the slave, for he isinl
mo greaicst spiritual bondage. Still the deacon
insisted that it was a pemrsion of the 'sacred
,f.,r.l' .. r...l .. 1( 1 1 - .. I .. : i .1 . .i
.,., i,uuf-llj U I'l ei.lH'3. 1IO HfSO SUIU Ull lUC
passago. ' inasmuch ns you have done it to one of i
those my little ones, ye havo done it to me." which
jMrs. O. had quoted and applied to the slave,
ought to have no applicati He said it was an
insult to Jesus to call tho si aves his little ones.'
In the evening, Charles and Josephine Grilling
Ravo excellent speeches, nnd seemed to have the
decided and sorrowful tone, ' He will never spread
it again lor inc.' A young man, and a member of
the church, aiose nnd said that ho regarded the
questions of Mr. G. which occasioned so much fed
ing, as entirely fair, and ofl'ercd in a Christian r,ni.
ril. Ho confessed his surprise at the embarrass-
ineni or tne pastor; nnd attributed tho whole dif
ficulty to tho fact that tho pastor wns unable to
givo him such answers as would justify tho nnli
slavery character of the church. At the close of
tho meetings, many of the church members expres
sed deep sympathy with our cause, and proved
their interest by subscribing for tho nnti-slavcry
papers. I should mention in its place, thnt nn ef
fort was made after the close of tho afternoon
meeting, to closo the bouse ngainst us ; but it found
little sympathy and failed. We appointed a meet
ing for Monday evening, nnd retired for repose at
a late hour. Monday evening we had another ex
cellent meeting, and then gave the dear and failh
ful frionds in Lima nn affectionate farewell, hojiing
to meet and greet them again, somewhere in our
Father's great, universe.
More and inoro am I impressed that the anti
slavery cause is, in this age, tho true revelation of
the characters of the religious nnd political bodies
of our land, and of the characters of individual
men. By its potency, we may unmistakably 'dis-
cern neiwceii me righteous and tho w icked, bo-1
him that servelh God nnd him that sorvcth
him not.' I should feel myself cuilty of irreat do
linquency, if I should fail to mention the name
and work of that noble and Christian man. Rev.
Samuel Bradford, of Brushy l'raiiie, who rested
from his truly Christian and arduous labors some
nine years since. Mr. B. was iu the truest sense
a Christian reformer. He early embraced the
Anti-Slavery, l'eace nnd Temperance causes, and
faithfully labored in them till till death removed
him to a higher sphere of happiness, and may we
not believe of ii.rj'uhicn.s; to intelligent existences.
He nobly refused all voluntary participation in a
pro-slavery government, nnd rill fellowship with a
pro-slavery church. He suffered much persecu
tion from religious bigots, and for his unwavering
attachment to truth, like bis great teacher, wii3 re
garded as nn infidel, His moral foot prints are
upon all this region. To all laborers in moral re
form, in this place, he has been a 'John tho Bap
tist,' 'going before' them, nnd 'preparing tho way'
lor tticni. ..Mrs. ii , now in declining health, nnd a
son and daughter, still remain, and nobly bear up
the banner which fell from the dying band of the
husband and father. Mr. B. left his family but
little of sordid possessions ; but he left them and
tho world, a wealth of examplo ttnd influence, that
no amount of earthly possession can ever represent.
1.V M...I i ir
xur uou unu iiumniuiy,
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A. T. FOSS.
"SLAVERY A CURSE."
The slaveholders give us some rare specimens of
candor. Mr. Sutlers, of Maryland, a Congress
man, tho owner of one hundred and fifty slaves,
declared that slavery was an evil a curso and
yet he would defend it with bis heart's blood.
There is a patriot and moralist of tho approved
American pattern. Tho following is a passago in
a ditcussiun which took pluco in the House a day
or two previous to adjournment of congress :
Mr. SOLLERS. The very instant tho Senator
from Massachusetts Mr. Wilson was elected, he
was deuounccd all over tho country, it was said
tno liuou wouiu ue uronen up ; uut wnai aid
tUe senator say on a into meiuorao o night ot the
... o ii. i.:. ,.u.i.. ii ... .-..l.i ..j. .
session ? Hear his words t " I would not
so. tinier the old regime, win was sent o the
Ol'llltlU I I Hill .Hlli.OIH.lnim.lin ...u ... mm i tim.
ty? Mr. Sumnur, Cries of No! Not Yesl Yc,
he was elected by the Democrats. I understand
Mr. Sumner wns sent to tho Scuate by the Demo
cratic party of that Stato.
Mr. KEITT would usk, if the recent letter writ
ten by Mr. Wilsou to the editor of the American
Organ was pronounced so conservative, how was
it, t iat last night, every soiitimont and line ot it
wns endorsed by the gentleman from Ohio? Mr.
HtiddiiiBH. lie said, it the same questions
lie said, it the same questions had
I Vien Yironoiinded to him. and he called on to an
swer as curtly ami comprehensively, he should have
used the very words.
Mr. OLIVER said the Slavery question was the
only subject which threatened a serious disturbance
of tho Union. The gentleman alluded to Senator
Wilson, and- endorsed every sentiment of his
speech with inexpressible delight. We under
stand Mr. Burlingame made a -h in presence
of Mr. Wilson, in Boston, during which he said
hii voice should never be hushed, nor his labors
cease, until Slavery shall be abolished in the Dis-
trict of Columbia, until the fugitive SInve Law
shull be repealod, and the Missouri restriction rc
stored, and Slavery excluded from all the Territo.
rlcs of Ihe United Plaice; Mr. Wilson afterward
my colleague said, i wouiu not restore a iugmve
siuve io ins iiiasiiT ; oui i uio aw oi iuasssiicuu-1
sctu will not ao it i u neip to uo it myseii. uo
IUU OUl UOll ' ..vn ,u.(.,ai , ,
s, l i .mi 1 SMru..itliii.r l(a ,1 '
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But ho regarded it ns a curso to any country.
Would to God we (Maryland) never had a slave
among us. Ho had never believed that Slav ery
was right in the abstract, and no man should ever
! force liim to avow such an opinion. It wns
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man say nc listened to .nr. n uson with inexpres
hveen ! sible del iglit. He felt assured, if tho gentleman
rose, with modesty, and Baid he had not time to
express his sentiments at length, but would sim
ply remark he endorsed, to tho lullest extent,
every word and syllablo uttered by Mr. Burlin
4111110. Do you, Mr. Oliver asked, endorse
iiut ?
Mr. SOLLERS replied that ho was n slaveholder.
Ml know tho uucstiou of Shivery is a delicate one.
pressed on Us In colonial times, and is protected
under tho Constitution. Ho would maintain his
interest in Slavery nt the dagger's point. No
111:111 should wrest a slave from him, nor from
his neighbor, without taking his heart's blood.
Mr. OLIVER reminded the ircntleman his noes-
tion was, do vou endorso the sentiments of tho
Senator from Massachusetts.
Mr. SOLLERS replied, he eouhl not nnswer for
the antecedents of Mr. Wilson. Ho was not au -
thorized nor competent to nnswer. But lie said
what ho heard Senator Wilson utter lately in
the Senates filled linn with inexpressible delight.
Mr. OLIVER. Do you endorse what the Sen-
ator said in .Massachusetts, just niter ho wi.s
! elected t
Mr. SOLLERS. I am a slaveholder.
Mr. OLIVER. So n in I.
Mr. SOLLERS I do not endorse bis sentimen'.s
further than I heard them expressed. I nnder-
stand 11 is iciiiarKs recently to bo conservative, and
iso tar J endorse them.
Mr. KEITT, resuming the floor, reverted to the
question lie propounded to Mr. Hanks, nsking linn
'whether he would vote to abolish Slavcrr in the
1 1: . i- f ' 1 1 ...... I 1-: i " .. . Q
1'I.SU ICl Ol VOIOIlllllil, Ol lOl II1C II 11IIIOI lirOVlSO I
It was known the gciilleiinin belonged to tho Free
Soil party.
Mr. Ranks. Never,
Mr. KEITT. I nsk tho gentleman whether
he did not say he would net no further with the
Democratic party, because of its alliance with Sla-
very
Mr. BANKS. No, Sir: I separated from the
Administration nnd the President I nssistcd to
elect, on the questions pending at that time; and 1
spoke to the people of my own tow n.
Mr. KEITT. The member is cither in favor of
those measures, ov declines to make the statement.
I nsk, what is the inevitable inference ' He fears
that a declaration would injure his Order (the
Kiiow-N jihing) at the South.
Mr. B.MS. Not at nil
Mr. KEITT
Thcre are two horns of the dileni-
ma. tie is either lor or against those measures.
Another thing I speak it regretfully when I
asked tho question nt the gentleman from Massa -
chusetts, tho gentleman from .Maryland advised
him not to answer: and then tlin bisl. mimed said
he believed Slavery to be a curse.
Mr. SOLLERS. I do. That
opinion. A Voice. " Publicly
es.
is my private
expressed."
Mr. KEITT. The gentleman from Maryland
says they want to preserve tho Union. 1 would
say to him, we havo rights guarantied by the
Constitution, nnd rights anterior to tho Constitu
tion! Mr. SOLDERS. Will the gentleman do me tho
justice, whilo In tells tho House that I declared
Slavery to be a curse, to ndu, I nt the same time
said I would defend it with my life?
Mr. KEITT. 1 will do that.
Mr. OLIVER asked several other .questions of
Mr Sutlers, who said, if it had not been for the in
terference of Abolitionists, Maryland, eio this,
would have been a free State. Two thirds of the
people of that State were hostile to Slavery. He
represented the strongest skveholditig interest in
Ma.-ylan'd.
Mr. BOCOCK was surprised to hear-tho trentle-
had heard all the Senator said, ho would not en
dorse bis sentiments.
Mr. SOLLERS replied, be heard Mr. Wilson say
what he had never heard Mr. Sumner inter, and
Mr. Sumner was elected ly the Democrats. His
(Mr. S.'s) people had sent him here to think for
them; they should never think for him. He did
not believe Slavery to be of divine origin, in fur
ther reply to Mr. Oliver, bo said he made uso of
the word "j-urse" in a political sense. He thought
Free-Soilism nnd Seccsionism a curse in other
words, an ovil.
After further proceedings, tho Committee, nt
twenty minutes past twelve o'clock, rose, and the
House adjourned.
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SPEECH OF
HON. HENRY WILSON.
IN THE U. S. SENATE, FEB. 23, 1855.
On the Bill to protect persons execution the Fugitive.
On the Bill to protect persons execution the Fugitive. Stare Act from prosecution in State Courts.
Mr. President, I havo no desire to mingle in this
excited nny angry debate, which hns so unexpec
tedly sprung up; bntthcUne and temper of the
remarks which the Senator from Tennessee IMr.'
Jones has seen lit to indulge in towards my frioud
from Connecticut Mr. Clilletlo, nnd tho extraor
dinary language be has applied to Senators from
my section of tho Union, should not bo permitted
suci, l.mguiigu represent on this floor
(if at least one million of tho intellig
tlie Hepublic, and that thev are susti
n,.,,l .,, t, im.tl E.ll'fl.,
'....
to pass unnoticed. Sir, the Senator from Tennes
seej with bitterness of manner, has denounced the
Senator from Connecticut, and other Senators who
oppose this measure, as a ' little baud of traitors,"
men who are "treacherous" to their country.
Tins !a of 1-1,1. till nn rir In 11 i.ii., crn fi 1 'r.sbhitll Io
apply to honorable Senators upon this floor fur
acting in accordance with their convictions of pul
ncuuiy. mm acnutor may, u ne cnoosc, cms
mo "w
itn tno nttio nanu ot traitors," tor l assure
him, tho Senate, and tho country, that I shall not
skrink, in this hour of their weakness, from stand
ing sido by side, with men who, amid nbloquy,
sneers, and reproaches, hnvo faithfully and feur-
lflGall, VI nil t.n tail llm tmnlimnnld r.t ll.n Cciair, n,l
,v,oso representatives they nro. Sir, tho honora-
hie Senator from Tennessee would do well to re-
...
member that the Senators to w hom he has applied
tho opinion
ent voters ol
lined by the
in.ti On nn I'l.n.ivail 1 iV till.
approving voice of tho poople nnd bv the con-
exciting and disturbing question of slavery, nnd
what We purpose to do. I intend to deal frankly
with you iu regard to this question in which you
and your people are so deeply interested.
Sir, 1 havo not nn unkind word to utter towards
my friends from the S mth. God knows I havo not
an unkind feeling in ir.y heart towards them or
those who they represent. I trust that I have a
heart large enuu!ili to embraco in its nflcctluns the
whole country, aud every man that breathes the
nil op ti-pada thn (toil of tb Itennblie. hn that mail.
black or while. I hnv no war t mak. and
thoso whom I represent have no war to maUo up-
on tho Souators froin the South or the pooplo of
i. s i. 'iv, ;,. ii,,. ,lns. nmsii-r mid
the lowest bondmen are aliko brethren and f.'l-
low countrymen.
;. I ,i .I.. ,,..! ,.r M ..t-ir-hnsotiH
believe, that shivery is a violation of the holy
commands to love our. neighbor, and lo do unto
other! as We would .tint others sh juld do unto in.
sciousness ol growing power, tho Senators he ha-;
iilii ill i il im v iii.iii ill itf-mi win n nr im ,wit.i.p..ii itv niu-
.-. i.. .1... 1 1 -i, . , . , . ,i-
thcts, no T matter how profusely ho ...ay Vply
them, from the vindication ol' their cherished
convictions. 1 intend to tell vou. irentlemen of
l.n tt.uti. .vlmrn ,.f ii. v,.,,i, .(...i . i l.u
slavery to the people of the Sintes whero it cx
Thcy ' ists. I recognize the Democratic doctrine of Stale
j rights in its application to slavery ns well as to
other lot al afl'irs, mid while 1 have a seat in this
1 Chamber I shall resist all attempts to ener inch
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. believe, conocientiously, that if slavery should
I V.. . -. .y ' National Government in the
' tistricl ot Uoltniibiu, and in t io i cr ii lor i cs, the
I tell you frankly, Ih'it wo of Massachusetts in e
unalterably opposed io Alrican slavery in Amen-
ca, and wo arc in favor of all practical cll'orts
lor Us entire abolition. But we do not propose to
interfere with slavery in tho Slates. We believe
that slavery m the States is a local institution
that wo have 110 lentil authority to interfere w ill
it in nny way whatever. I am content to leave
, upon the reserved rights of the sovereign States
of tho Union. I will stand side Py side with my
j Demo -ratio Friends in vindication of ihe Virginia
nnd Kentucky resolutions of li'.lK and lt'j'J, winch
'they chdormlat lialtimore in lcov!.
1 will tell vou. Mr. President, iust w hat our no-i-
tinn is in Massachusetts. V'e stand upon the iin-!
! prcznnble basis of the Constitution of tho l i.il
Slates. W e do not nronosc to encroach upon the
rights of our .Southern brethren, but wc claim that
under the express authority of the Constitution ( I
the United Slates, we' have ample power to nbo!-
ish slavery in the District of Columbia. Ho of
Massachusetts, and of the free Slates, nre rr-p.n-
sildo for tho existence of human slavery here
the national cnpitul. Slavery exists here by the
authority, nr rather by the permission of Congress;
ttnd Hit! people of New Eiighmd, of the cenlral
States, and of the West, are as responsible for its
existence as arc the sons of Maryland and V'r-
ginov v nose ancestors
mlcd It here.
Jty mend lrcm t on
licut, (Mr. OiUett
ferred to tho shocking and brutal sight of a woman
led iiy a man on horseback along tho streets near
tho Capitol, with a rope fastened around her In dy.
Tl.n C .. c !o.. T . 1 - 1
-III. ..UHILIOI IIOIO ICIIUCSSCU .IOIICS l'Ollll'UI
eut upon the Senator from Connecticut, bis indig-l
nation for ralluiji tho attention ol tho country
e.ud tlip world, to that degrading spectacle, wit
nessed by the wife of the New England Senator
and several other ladies. Sir, that spectacle wa
witnessed in North Capitol street, only a few days
ago, while the representatives of the free States,
who
gres
itli
Houses of Con -
..:. 'im.,.1 l .i...
, t.:l;lllusUII. I i:i4na nuui i null n n .1
woman was dragged through the streets ol the!
jcapil
'gross
of the Republic may be repealed by Con -
The people of Ihe free Slates know that
,iin .,,. ,..., r .. .1... .: . c i - ....
.....j itiu i .-i'.'ii..onj nn iin: caisi.-hi u oi oil -
der which lliisdc-iadiiPMiet was perpetrated. Sir.
,1,. ,!.:..!, .i... . i. i i . .i'.. i. i ,
.,' j . .. .Minn, uiu niT'll no ii ii-i '.i u n noil nm
will silence the voice of conscience, and the holiest
and noblest impulses of their hearts, and tame
v
permit this national ground
to be dishonored bv
such scenes .' Sir.wcol the free States feci thai
wc have u clear, undoubted, constitutional right to
abolish slavery here, and . wc mean to do it. V"s,
sir, we intend to do it, by fccuriiig a majority in
Mills Senate and in the bouse of rci.i-evciitnfivci
and voting you, gentlemen of the South
c propose to do it in no spirit of uiikindness,
and we do not believe that you will dissolve tbi
Union if wo repeal the laws, under color of which
women may be dragged along the streets of the
national capitol,
1 hen, sir, wo believe that over tho territories of
the United States w e havo absolute power nnd ju
risdiction, 1 wish to read to you from a sound
democratic authority on this point, and you know
iii ifTyStato tho tendency istownrds demoornrv. 1
hold in my hand resolutions written by tho chair-
man of the National democratic Cotmuilten of lb
United S'atcs, the Hon. B F- Hallett, a gentleman
of talents and nntioual reputation, or he would
not have been placed in a position so high n gen-
who was appointed District Attorney bv
the present administration. And. sir. this admin-
istration leans upon his arm to .innnorL it in thaf
section nf ihe country. I will rend ono or two of
these resolutions ; mid I wish to say that, in regard
to them, there in in Massachusetts hardly a dis -
sentin voice. At the tinio that thev were written
nnd adopted, Mr. Mallet was C hairman oi (lie
adopted, Mr. Mallet was Chairman ol Til
National Democratic Committee, und Chairman of;
the State Committee of Massachusetts. Thev were
passed .ii, the l'Jtl, of September, 1S40.
Mr- Benjamin. Where?
Mr. Wilson, in the State Democratic- Conven
tion at Springfield, on the l'.hh ol' Septeinber.L' I'J.
i'hey wero published in tl.n Boston fW, the
i';.. n, r v r..i ....i .i
i...is.ii,K roiinoimi: t'l.iii ui xc l.lliriuuu. II ell
and now, edited by Colonel Greene, a ircntleman
who w as appointed Navy Agent by the present
administration.
Resolved, That we nro opposed to slavery in
every form and color, and in favor of freedom and
free soil wherever man lives throughout Cud's
hcaitnge.
Sir, the people of Massachusetts most heartily
respond to this resolution, proposed by the chair -
man of the national Democratic committee, and
adhpted by six hundred Massachusetts Democrats
with shouts ol applause;
Resolved, That by common law nnd common
sense, ns well us by tho decision of the Supremo
Court ol tlie I niled States, (in l'rigg r.i. Pennsyl-
van.n, 10 1'eters, -the state ot slavery is a mere
n.un.cipnl reflation founded upon an. limited to:
the verge of the terntom law, that is, the the liin-.
its of the Stato creating it.
Resolved, therefore, That, ns slavery docB not
exist by any municipal law in the new Territories,
and Congress has no power to institute it, the local
laws of nny State authorizing slavery can never be
transported there, nor can slavery c n there but
by a local law of the Territories, sanctioned by
Congress, or the legislative act of a State in its sov
ereign capacity.
Now, Sir, we, in Massachusetts, agree with these
resolutions. We. believe wo h ive tho power U
abolish slavery in all the Territories of the Union ;
that, it slavery exists there, it exists by the per
mission and sanction oi tho i eile
leral Government,
and we are responsible for it. We nre in favor of
its abolition w herever wo are morally or legally
responsible for its existence.
We of Massachusetts believe tho fugitivo slave
act ot lb ,l), nn inhuman and unconstitutional en
actment, and wc arc in favor of its immediate and
iiiicoiiuiuonai repeal, j ne ciirauiuoii ui nigiuvcs.
labor should be loft to the States, whore we
the Constitution leaves it. 1 assure Scna-j
tors from tho Soulh tlint wo do not proposo to m-
terfero iu any way whatever with slavery iu the
States ; but wo nre in favor of abolishing it wber-
lugitive slave net repealed, tho lederal Govern
ment relieved from alt connection with, or rcspou
sibilily for the existence oT slavery, these angry
debates banished from the Halls of Congress, and'
slavery left to the peoplo of tho States, that the!
men of the South who nro opposed to '.he exirtence!
ot that institution, would get rid ol it in then- own
States at no distant day. i b-diove that if slave-1
is ever peacefully aboli.-hed in this country
and I certainly beliovo it w ill be it must
abolis'.iej iu this way.
The Senator from Illinois
Mr. Douglnsl pro-
j "ounces all the iibuliuonists disiiiiwniMs. 11 lie
i means to include men w ho think ns 1 think, nnd
act ns I net. I be leave to sat to that Sonutur that
i bo mistnkes us altogether.
I ' Mr. Douglas. I have a letter in my pcssesVum.
' o-rti.n,. r. n.i i, ,.i. .!..; !,!, n,i I ;n
I not sv fulsome terms, of the Senator from Mas
I saehusetts, just elected, in which the chief morit
urged i
urged is tbatuTim the nuostion ot the aistoiutnm
' . J i . . , . ..
- ... .
i i,.ni,i,.raiv niuunuus itiL mo Piiuopiv oi nisi uou
c(lu' b''a e"'eU and protect tho weakest of
the sons of men. Sir, these are strange dec l ines
to her.r uttered ill the Senate ol republican Amer-
ica, whose political institutions are tinscii upon tne
j -ale, a low days picecilmg the election. 1 know
! something of t':c sentiments and wishes of the
,,p"l'k nnd I say that tho supporters of the Ad
tleinnn I ministration did not dare in New Hampshire to
,10 , , , f , , i,,i ity ,,f (hat despised raco, is mental in
from : lori.irity n valid reason for the perpetual np
beliove .p;,,,, 0f a race 1 U the mental, moral, or
T,y,0nt to the five black roan. I nm not sur
ly j,ri,t.; ut iho degradation of tho colored peoplo of
boll,i:nn u ,n nre compelled Id livo under such in-
iator would
prove himself 11
man.
i
Wilson. All I have to snv is, that I never
uttered a word in my life to warrant ueh nn'assor
tion. Sir, I make no pretentions to any peeu'hn
devotion to tho Union over other, men; but if 1
know myself. I would sacrifice nil of life nnd ol
hope to" mn'.ntnin nnd perpelunto the Union oil
these States. From boyhood I have dreamed of u j
glorious destiny for my country. I havo wished to
see the 11 a a or tho Union wave in peaceful triumph
over the North Ameiican continent, over a I on-1
Icd-racv of f ree Commonwealths. 1 have so much
j,;t, Iicuiocrutic ideas, so much eoiitideiiuc in.:
pp,,pe, that 1 have no fears from the niniexa-
j,,n ,f (rn i(,,rv and tho extension of tho boon-1
1 ,aries (,f the Hen ublic.
The Senator from Illinois IMr. Douglal hns un-
oertiikeii here tc-niglit to ilcnounce all ol us ot the
V,.,ii, 1. .., ,1, ...... ,1 .. ...,11 v i...i;i;,,iuia o
........ .. ..l..rt.. ... .... ..-.0,
I'.i: x- : : ...
U I Ml 1 1 ion I t . jlMI , nil, 111 o 1 y J oogenic III. II" 1 ' . 1 1 I
of the Confederacy is more devoted to the Union
limn the Suite 1 have the honor in part ti repre
sent. 1 believe that in my Slate tho opinion in
I'vor of the Union approaches unanimity. We
respond, with all our hearts, to the words of Danirl
Webster, uttered on this floor more than twenty
years ago: " l.ihrrhj ami Wli.m imw ami J'nrcm-.l
fiic and iiinriieriilile!" Rut wo mean Uihurlii and I
. r . . f t 1
setts will not bo liiglitencd fr
- ..... ....... , ..... i.tt.-.i-
m ineir iidvocaev ol
impartial liberty by threats, made here or elsc-j
where, to dissolve the Union. These menaces I
linve no terrors for us. We know that the people
will stand by the Union even if slavery should be
abolished.
Hut the Senator frotn Illinois tortures our ex
pressions of confidence in the stability of the
Union into designs on our part to plot for its dis-
solution. Sir, the Senator has asserted what hel
cannot believe. That Senator understands the
sentiments of the people of the Northern States ;
quite ton well tn mean anything like that. Thei
State ot Ohio gave seventy thousand majority, at
uiu nisi election, iigainsi ms .onrnsKii urn. noes
;1'1,0 'iialor believe the intelligent poor
le
of Ohio,
' who gave the majority of Seventy thousand or
. , ., t, , ..
;; '.;. , .n - ."i r .
!1 1 I icunuos oil are enemies oi tins
' 1 ' "." "''" "'y would shed their blood
i '"is nay nur.c as ireeiy ns ne iinuscil. or any other
... . , : ,. ,, -
""'"vJ" "'rl''',,n!'t0 , l""t1, i l' pleat
.-Mine in .ow k
k gave nn almost uncounted ma-
ijority in opposition to tho Nebraska bill. Does'
I ihe. Senator believe that the intelligent fieemen oi j
New York are opposed to this Union ? Tho State i
1 represent on tlie floor of the Senate gave more
than one hundred thousand ma jority ngaingst the
Nebraska bill at the last election. I do not know
I one ilisiinioiiist ninong them all. Hundreds of (he I
men the Senator pronounces hostile to the l iiion
nave perinea mcir lives ana sued tncir blood in
delence ot the country.
Allusions havo been
mndo to the recent clec-
tii.ns. Tho Senator from Illinois has been pleased
to say here unit, m ins opinion, Know iNoth'ngisni
has swept the Northern States, mid not opposition
tu the Nebraska bill. It is not my purpose to un
derrate the power nnd influence of the organiza
tion to which he refer". I will say to that Senator,
however, that the first Stato to vote after the in
trut'.uctioii ,oC tho Nebraska bill,. was the, .Presi
dent's own State. It was mv fortune to travel
in ire than ono thousand miles in that,
my
nativel
S
defend the Nebraska bill, i'hey denied it tolc
issue ill tho canvass, and by so doing they saved
: themselves from niter defeat, but they were noti
! a,l' tos".-nre the Legislature of the State, ?o ns
f cleft tocir Senators, ihe State of Connecticut
v,'tcd early in April. I do not believe thero was
men a siuic man, in euuer ui iiiesy ciaies, w nom
J"11 mlK''t
lesiguatc, as a Know Nothing. So fur
State is concerii"d, itltholigh the Know -
ns nlJ' ow"
Nothing pnrly, ns he calls it the American party
' ol the Union that Se
have taken no position on the subject of slavery j
all, yet tho sentiment of that State approaches!
univ.iiniiiy, and I do not know a Nebraska man in
the Legislature, and I am sure there is not a Ne-
braska man in the delegation ot the llotise, and 1
' i ,i r f . . ..
! tlie ""nr, Vf 'Se"il 1 wo ?re,11 "I'1 "p"" ,lV.l,t
i ' i" - ... .... ', 1
vs io loo org.iui.aiioii oi mc .American Mil rv, in
somo sections it has had influence in favor of free,
doni, iu uthcr sections it has been hostile to free
dom. Mr Don.rbis. Tho Senator sars ihnt in .nine
s . .i " u i,:. r . - r r i
ibhi.hii.id I iiiv hnvn irpn in pLCnt nt f reeili on ntoi
in other sections hostile. Will you show mo where
they have supported a Nebraska man in kany one
district of America ?
Mr Wilson. T iniderstnnd thev oleete, i
. ,
brnskn man in your distrirt sir, (Mr. Gey
"
chair,) and defeated Col. Benton, who wus
oppos-
ed to the Nebraska bill,
Mr. Douglas. I am speaking of the Free Stales
lave they been lor .Nebraska men lor tho l.egisla-
lanes, or for Congress, m any district in the Free,
States ?
Mr. ilson. 1 cannot apeak lor districts out ol
iny own Stato. I should regret to hear that any
adherent of the American party supported tho Ne-
braska bill.
Mr. Douglas. Did they in your own State?
Mr. Wilson. No, sir. I beg leave to tell the
Senator from Illinois wo cannot run nny other
than an anti-Nebraska man and get any votes.
Laughter. J
The Senator from Indiana Mr. rcttit has mado
n long argument to night to provo tho inferiority
of the afiioun race. Well, sir, 1 have no contest
vvit(i the Senator upon that question. I do not
claim for that rneo intelectunl equality ; but 1
say to tho Senator from Indiana that I know men
of thnt raco who nro quite equal in mental power
to either the Senator from Indiana or myself
! men who arc renrccly inferior, in that respect, to
i any Senator tipmi tliis floor. But sir, suppose
the Senator from Indiana succeeds in establishing
. hysn-al inferioriiy of a man a just cause nf opres
; j republican and Christian Aineri.vi? Sir
fundamental idea that
all men are cr .-atcd equal.'
If the African raco
aeo is inferior, thi3 proud raco of!
into and elevate it, and not deny to
rr lo it. ibn rlirhts of our Common
ours should edu
those who belong to il
- - e----
humanity.
Tho Senator from Indiana boasts that his Stato
jmr,((Se8 a lino upon tho white man that gives cm
human laws, nnd oppressed by the public senti-
ment that enacts and sustains them. I thank God
sir, Massachusetts is not dishonored nj sucn laws:
n Massachusetts we havo about seven thousand
! colored pernio. They have the samo rights that
L-o havo, they go to our free school, they enter
, nil tho business ana professional relations ot lite
thev vote in our elections, and iu intelligence and
1 character are scarcely inferior to the ciuiens of
this proud and peerlese race whose superiority ye
i uv iium rW ,uin.v jiiuWBi.o.-.., . t
is this Pcinocra. v? Is it Christianity? Democ-i
!
i
or;
j
1
1
i
I
:
'
:
'
1
!
i
;
mn nu
n
1,
te
nl.
if
captured and restored to his southern ownor, tin
at der nny circumstances f
Mr. Wilson. I certainly cannot say what Mas?a
chusetts would do, under any circumstances that
m-i, ,.,. l.,,i I en ilo.t in mv iinliretnunt
W:'"'"." 1" .""""""" "? !? "I """
the Senators from Tennessee Mr. Jones and In
dinna (Mr. Petitt.
Now, sir, I assure Senntors from the South, that
wo of tho free P-tntes mean to change our policy.
I tell you, frankly, just how we feel nnd just whit
we propose to do. Wc msan to withdraw from
these Halls that class of pttbliu men who have be
trayed us a-id deceived yon j mon who have mis
represented us, and not dealt frankly with you,
-V'!'.1 wo intend to send ninii into these Halls win
tn'b' represent us and deal justly with you.
" mean, nr, to place in the councils of the i;a
men who, in tho wonts ol dclierson, "navej
sworn on the altar id i ol eternal hostility to ev'
''T k'm' oppression of tho mind nnd body cf
man." Yes, sir we 11 can 1 1 place in the national
councils men who cannot be seduced by t!l3 bland'
' "''I 'o "i ii'iii'n i'v iii'j niieiiis n poweri
men who will fearlessly maintain our principles.
I assure Senators Ironi the South that tho people
of tho North entertain for them ttnd their people
no hidings of hostility ; but they will no longer
consent to bo misrepresented by their own repre
sentatives, nor proscribed for their fidelity to froo
.1.1111. Jins determination ot the people of the
North has manifested itself during the hnst few
months in nets not to he misread by tho country.
The stern rebuko administered to fnilhless North
ern representatives, nnd tho annihilation of old
ll,u i'omciiui (ion neat i i gii oiKiwjoop, eioouiu icncil
n..,l ,...i..l .i:.:..l . .1 u . t.
.,..,..,,,..
s tlmt the days et waning powoi are upon
them. This action of the people teaches the les4
sum which I hope wii! be heeded, that political
combinations can no longer be successfully mads
to suppress the sentiments of tho people.
Mr. Benjamin I should be exceedingly tinwiU
ling to disturb the course of the Senator's argu'
ment, or interrupt bis speech ; but, as he is giving
us what eeitiiiuly is very interesting to the conn,
try, an exposition of those views which he enter
tains, nnd of which be is the exponent on this
tloor, would the honorable Senator be kind enough
to state that we may understand fully his tiews
and thoso of his party whether, in conformity
with tho principles of that parly, if ti Territorial
organization were now surpersede l bv ft State con-
stitution iu any of tlie
Territories of this
Union,
and.
and. bv that constitution, the noonlo of tho
State
. . i .i. ' .
mourn auupi slavery us one 01 mcir uoioesuc in-
siitutioiis, it would he consistent with Ills prince
pics to admit that State into tho Union W ith that
constitution r '
..... .... . hi.
Mr. V ilson I will nniwcr Ihe Senator frankly.
I stand here ready to answer anv nucstions nut bv
the Senator froni'Louisiaha, or e.ny other Senator.
The party with which I act is a new organization,
It has, so far ns I know, in Massachusetts, and in
all the other States, never expressed any opinions
or assumed any position on the question of slavery,
1 cannot, therefore, speak for it. The members of
that party in my ow n State, in their individual Ca
pacity. Would be decidedly opposed to the adinis
sum oi slave States into tho I. num.
Mr. Benjamin. I shall trouble Ihe centlctnatl
with one more question if he w ill permit mo. I
!W'R n?k that Senator if frankly nnd conscien
i.n i..,i:A....a !...! :.. it,A ,..-.,.. nf iu .on.ai
ii.'.s'ij, ill. it:iv;vi.3 iin, i, iti in,, civ.iv ... ,us ivi(ni
of the fugitivo slave law, the State and poople of
Massachusetts Would adopt effective measures bt '
which fugitivo slaves from the South would bo cap
tured and returned to their owners?
Mr. Wilson. I believe that if tho fugitive slave
act should be Tepeuled the Commonwealth of Mas
sachusetts will fulfil her constitutional obligat'ons,
,;,t sho will do it in her own way, so as to protect
lolly tho rights jf every man within tier jurisdio
tion.
Mr. Benjamin. 1 fear tho Senator may think .
that thoso interrogatories are unfair encroach
incuts upon his time, and I shall not push them, if
they nre unpleasant to him.
Mr. Wilson. Not at all, sir; I am ready to an
swer.
Mr. licmamin. 1 should like to understand if
under his own convictions, under the principle
entertained bv those whom ho represents, or bV
the population of tho States or Massachusetts, be
really believes that, in the event of the repeal of
the fugitive slave law. a fuiritivo slave would b
J I - - ... . ..j
'C would fulfill the obligations w
Inch the Uonsti'
tution imposes upon ncr.
Mr. Benjamin. That is a satisfactory answer.
Mr. Welter. Yes, if they would only do it IdrJ
not believe they would. Laughter.
ll-M t il 1 I 1-1!.. - IP
. i'lr- u ""T'
the pcoplcol Massachusetts t i the obligations im
1.1 - . n. ...
TP0" '" tliC tcnatitotion or the United
, ,
-"r. Rusk. V, ill the honorable Senator alio i8
tho opinions of a new parly, whiih will be import-
ant for good or evil, i desire to ask him a few
questions, i irst, does that party regard the State
and their citizens as equal iu rights under the Con
tliliilinn ?
wn S() f flJ t kno. ,ho snt'llnonU 0f
, menll)er8 of ,lt partv, they regord tUo 80ver.
. B f , . , J u under t,
i,nstitution. This is the true American doctrine I
und I certainly think they will go for the equality
of the citizens of all the States.
Mr. Rusk. I desire to nsk him another question
although 1 assure hitn I nm reluctant to interrupt
him. Does that party recognize the right in Con
gross to exclude, either directly or indirectly, tho
citizens of nny Slate from equal rights of person
and property iu nny of the Territories of the Uni
ted Slates?
Mr. Wilson So far as the pnrty with which f act
'ui Massachusetts is concerned, it has never taken
any position upon this Bubjoct; but I will say that
I do not know a man in the ranks of thnt party
who does not belived that the Congress of th
United Stutej nlone has the power to legislate fof
those Territories, and thnt nobody hns a right to
carry a slave there and keep him in bondagewith
out tho permission of Congress. In my opinion,
Congress has no right to establish slavery in the
Territories, or to allow tho people to establish it.
Mr. Rusk My question is answered.
Mr. Wilson. I hnvo spoken, Mr. President, io
no spirit of unkindnr-ss towards our fellow-citiienl
of the South, of the sentiments, feelings, and pur
pose, ot the people ot the xNnrtn. l ao not reter
to tho action of political parties. I refer to th
without distinction ot party, rarty com
nations nre not strong enough to repress the tit
terance, or to control tne action oi tne peopit
oused at last to tho vindication of their right.
oliticians here, or elsowheve, believe they can
make any political combinations that shall ivonrv
th0 issues forced upon the people of the free State
j tll 1 1-. e m frankly that they will ignornininusljr
Tl. ..1A l,A V..!i ... Krrlnhlrlff tm
fail, The pooplo of the North are begiuhiha to
realiEO the responsibilities and duty imposed up.
on them bv the condition of tho Country. Thev
feel that the hand of proscription baa been laid)
upon them, nnd they will no longer ctmaent to bA
proscribed for holding opinions sanctioned by
triotisio, humanity, and religion.
These Rentimcms and opinions nre the matured
convictions of my judgement, and while I bv
seat in this Chamber I ehall adhere to them with
fidelity, aud support thorn with Amines, I bob
at all times to meet honorable Senator froln tb
Si.uth in a spirit of kindness nnd conciliation ; but
no fear of denunciation, reproach, or ridicule, her
or elsowhere, no hope of personal influence or pb.
litionl power, will ever deter me from the vmdic
tion of opinions which mj heart and eooscitort
approve. - - t - '