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Communications: For The Signal Of Liberty: Col. R. M. Johnso...

Communications: For The Signal Of Liberty: Col. R. M. Johnso... image
Parent Issue
Day
23
Month
October
Year
1843
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

■Mesáis. Editors.-Ati the columns of the Signal seem to be a channel through whicli the friends of Liberty communicate theirsentimonts 'upon subjccts connecled with t!ie welfare of our country, and the conduct of public men, and the policy they pursue, I fee caüed upon to make a few observations upon the procqedings and expressions of a certain individual ut an Irish Repeal Meeting at St. Louis. The person alluded io was the so called hero of the .Thame?, R. M. Johnson. The scène was represented as being enthusiastic n the extreme, and the address of the old veteran was applauded for its eloquence- his srrain was truly fascinelingj and breathed forth the pure spint of republicanism, and kindled a kindred flame in my breaet so far as an abhorrence of tyranny was concerned. His fervent devotion to the cause of Liberty, even in his declining years, and shattered condition of his frame, his bold denunciation of tyrants, his willingness to sacrifico his domeatic comforts, for the benefit of bleeding1 humanity, hia longing to see the ehackles stricken from the oppressed, snd hurled in proud defiance at their oppressors, his flaming zeal to vindícate the rights of a free man in speaking against oppression, no matter who the oppressor, his firm determinaron never to suffer the currem of histhotights lo be checked, or his tongue to be palsied for fear tbat tyrants shoold not be pleased, all bespoke the man of stern integrity, and the uncompromising enemy of tyran ny and oppression. But how did my feelinga recoil when I reflected that tliis fervent devotee, this bold denunciator of tyrants, this zealous defender of the rights ofothers, this delermined, uncompromising enemy of tyrants, of tyranny and oppression, was himself at the same time the cruel, relentless tyr&nt, ruling with despotic sway, jf report be true his own offsprng, and crushing with the iron heel of despotism - who? not a wild, ferocious race, incapable of cultivation - not captives tnken in war, as were the slaves of the Roman Republic, and some otherF, recorded on the page of history - no, but the native bom cilizensof this far famed Republic, and simpiy because the color of his skin is not like his own, and this man, this boasted champion for freedom, claims to be a Democrat - a Repnblicaní But if Republicanism cousists in degrading to a l?vel with the brute creation a portion oftal beings, created by the same Almigbty Power as ourselves, destined to the same immortality- redeemcd by the same Saviour, made heis of the same salvation through faith, then I vvould say, deliver me Trom such Democracy, for I desire not a knowledge of its ways. Butthis is not the case. Democracy has no sympathy with such disgraceful works of darkneís, fruitful only n crime. The system of 6lavery is direcily opposite to every principie of democracy, as held forth in that memorable Declaration nf Independence framed by our forefalhers, and by them transmilted to their posterity, declaring in the most solemn marnier, before God and the world, that all men are created free and equal, possessing certain inalienable rights, aniong vvhich are life, liberty, andtlie pursuit of happiness. This slavery denies, and says a man shall not enjoy liberty, shall nol pursue any course cnlculated to secure bappiness, either temporal or eterna]. Here, then, are two conflicting principies which can never bo reooncüed; they areantipodes. Slavery denies man a riglit to himself; it makes hirn a tding, a chattel personal, disposable at the will of the master. Had this indomitable horo aróse in the majesiy of !iis stiength, and -aid, who shall bid these lips 'ie silent, an J palsy this tongue when called upon to spenk ín a free land, in behalf of freedotn - the cunstitution ofmy country guarantees to me frecdom of speech, and símil I not enjoy it when speaking of the Aírican race and their oppressorp, shall my voice be hushed to silence and thc sentiments of my heart repressed because I am an AmericanCitizen, and the wrongs inflicted on the slave is the work of tyranls? No, I claim the right to 6peak against oppression, no matter wlio the oppresor. Had this been his languoge, I opine bis address woul.d not have been very much applauded by the audience at St. Louis. But wliy sliould an American citizen fcel such acute sensitiveness in regard to the wrongs inflicted pon a people S000 miles from him, nnd suffer such a n eternal apathy to brood over every faculty of his soul, and hush his inind nnd tongue to silencc, when he sees the every day's wcong inflicted upon tlie slave in his own land. It can only bc accounted for upon the principio,that the system of slavery eeals up the very mimi and soul agaii)9t any sympathy for the colored man, and the wrongs inflicted npon hiro. I might proceod to nn indefinite length, but will only add, it s tyranny whether sane - tior.ed by a crown or a republican government: it is a stain upon the character of the nalion, and a foul blot upon ourfree institutionp, and f not abolished, will eventually prove the destruction of this Republic, as it has proved the destruction of nntions that havepassed off the stage and aro no more. If a Jefferaon could tremble when reflecting1 upon the subject, and considering that God wasjnst, and thnt his justice would not ahvaya sleep, have not we abnndant cause now to tremble for fear of impending judgments? Surely we have, and it becomes the duty of the philnnthropisr, the ptatesman and the ohristian to unite their efforts for the preservation ofour cherished institutiong, and for the overthrow of the souldestroying, God-dishonoring system of Ameican slavery.

Article

Subjects
Signal of Liberty
Old News