Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-04-16
ITO be contin ued.]
STATE OF MAINE.
In SENATE. March /

V97TIE Joint Select Committee on Slaver>
IA y, TO which was referred the petition
of Robert Ramsey and others, and twenty
five other petitions, containing the names
of one thousand nine hundred and ninety
seven petitioners, praying for the passage
of law securing to every human being in
this State trial by Jury in all cases where
his or her liberty is in question; also the
petition of William A. Crocker and others,
and thirteen other petitions containing the
names Of six hundred and sixty-nine petit
TONERS, praying for the repeal of all laws.
in this State which mako any distinction
among its Inhabitants on account Of color;
also the petition Of Seth May and others,
and twelve other petitions, containing the
names Of eleven hundred and fhy-two Pc
ttioners praying that the Legislature will
pass resolutions declaring that Congress
has The right TO abolish Slavery in the Dis-
trict OF Columbia, and in the territories, and
% prohibit the slave trade between the
States. and ought Immediately TO exercise
the powers, and to instruct our Delegation
in Congress to vote fortbe passage OF laws
for these purposes; and that this Legisla-
ture would protest agalnt The admission of
any new slave State OF the annexation of
Texas; and instruct our delegation to OPP
pose any such admission or annexation,
have had those several subjects under con-
sideration, and thay were publicly discuss
cd IN presence of your committee, with
grea. eloguence and power, BY two agents
of the Anti-slarery Society Of Maine, and
by other gentlemen, and your committee
ask leave to report:
The subjects presented for the consid-
Grafton of the Legislature by these various
petitions, in the view of your Committee
are but the varied aspects of one very
important and highly interesting subject,
which deserves and receives the attention
of very many Of our most excellent, warm
hearted, devoted phianthropists. Among
those who are clearly entitled to this ap-
peIia'ion, there have existed and still exist,
differences of opinion, which have some
times proceeded so far, as to produce an
alienation Of feeling, among those, whose
hearts are alike warmed with a holy love
Tor ali their brethren of the human rnce,
and desire to do good to all men what
ever be their color or condition.
The condition of the coored population
of our country is well calculated to ava
ken our sympathies and our united efforts
for their relief. We may differ as to the
feasibility of any particular plan, or as to
the best and most eiiicen. mode of improy-
ing their condition, or extending them re-
lief; but it is bad policy for those whose
hearts are devoted to the same good work
to expend that strength in contendinc with
each other, which might be made to bear
with powerful effect, 10 accomplish the OBJ
lect which they all so ardently desire
Your committee are Of opinion that mutual
candor and forbearance between the two
great divisions of the friends Of the colored
race, would tend much to promote the very
important objects which they both so ar
IDENTIFY desire. -
One class Of tho petitioners propose tho
passage Of a law 10 secure to every hui
man being in this State, trial by jury in
all cases where his or her Liberty is in
question The object Of the petitioners is
| to secure trial by jury, to those persons
who may be claimed in this State as runa-
way slaves. The constitution OF the Uni
ted States, provides thai no person held
to service or labor 10 one State under the
Jaws thereof, escaping into another, shall,
4 II consequence OF any law or regulation
4 therein, be discharged from such service
7 or labor; but shall! be delivered anon Claim
oi the party 70 whom such service or labor
may be dHc. In accordance with this pro-
vision OF the Constitution. the Act OF Con-
Oraas ~ fFakY,,,, f7N1 ,,.o,,ia. tI,of