Anti Slavery Bugle

Hope on, Hope ever.

In the midst of all the trials, toils, and vexations of an anti-slavery career, it is most necessary to cultivate a hopeful spirit. Without it we shall accomplish but little. for deprived of it we shall assuredly be wanting in that energy of action which is essential to the dissemination of our doctrines among a cold and indifferent people. As Abolitionists we have the most stubborn difficulties to contend with. a prejudice as violent and deep-rooted, perhaps as any that ever existed in the human heart, avarice, attachment to sect, love of office and power, and last, though not least, that grasping spirit of conquest which pre-eminently distinguishes us among the nations of the earth. All these and others, as arrayed against the anti-slavery cause. the thorough and consistent abolitionist feels himself bound to oppose with all his mortal power, and on all occasions that he is conscious that he can make his influence felt.…….

But to oppose vigorously these prejudices, attachments and interests, requires a degree of energy and determination of character which few possess to that extent which they feel to be necessary. What consistent abolitionist is there who has not felt, when uttering the honest convictions of his heart, concerning the corruptions and short-comings of the church, the utter profligacy of the political parties, and the heartlessness of the nation in general, that he had a task to encounter; a duty to discharge; to which his firmness was hardly equal? What abolitionist is there who has not felt misgivings and fears, that he might possibly be "going too far," (even when he had before carefully examined the ground on which he stood, and the nature and extent of the rebukes which he uttered.) misgivings and fears which were strengthened by the opposition of enemies who ought to have been, and professed to be, friends, especially when that opposition was, at last tacitly, seconded by the timid and luke-warm among us who are still measurably bound by the chain of sect or party? Every one who has been impelled to array himself against these influences, so hostile to the anti-slavery movement, has experienced the truth of our remarks—has felt how much easier it would be to withhold the merited censure, to stifle the utterance of his honest indignation, and to restrain the generous beatings of his heart, satisfying himself with the plausible argument that the time had not come for the fitting rebuke, or that he was not the person to administer it. or, perhaps, that it would require less sacrifice in another than himself." To the abolitionist. as well as to others, these considerations of popularity and worldly interest, are continually presenting themselves. and with a two-fold force, proportionate to the difficulties to be overcome."

Their tendency is undoubtedly, to discourage.

The disaffections. too, which have occurred in the anti-slavery ranks. have likewise been a source of deep discouragement.—When we have witnessed the partial or utter recreancy of many whose devotion to the cause we had thought secure and unchangeable. how often have we been tempted to doubt whether our righteous enterprise, which must in its progress encounter obstacles great enough to turn back such as these, would be enabled to retain in its defence those who would endure to the end? In an especial manner has this been felt by those whose family ties and personal friendship have been sundered by the introduction of the corrupting and distracting influence of politics; an influence which has done more to estrange true-hearted abolitionists from each other than all other causes together, deadening the moral perceptions of some until they can see nothing higher in our exposures of recreancy and faithlessness than a mean and personal animosity.

Yet, on the contrary, when we view the heavy and various sacrifices which have been endured by the true and tried friends of our unselfish enterprise; when we see how willingly they have submitted to the sundering of the dearest ties of affection—when we regard the proscription, defamation, ridicule and loss of caste which they have borne in a manner so eminently characterized by the true heroic spirit, and mark the intelligent firmness and hearty promptitude with which they expose themselves anew to the trials which beset us, we feel the strongest assurance of the final triumph of our cause. And these assurances are indissolubly connected with those true inspirations with which God has, in all ages, accomplished the overthrow of iniquity—which proceeding directly from Him, as the life of our life and strength of our strength. are mighty through Him to the pulling down of strongholds; to the vanquishing of the armies of error, and to the confounding of the despot and his abettors.

Hope on then, hope ever, and with still greater confidence of final victory. let us gird ourselves anew for the contest.—Pa. Freeman.