New-York daily tribune., 1842-11-09
THE TRIBUN NE.
rhe slave Cnse-Two Sermons on the SUBJ
iect by Rev. j. Pierpont.
Correspondence OF The Tribune
Bosros, Eov. =, 1872

The case Of George Latinier, the fugitive slave,
continues to excite very deep and absorbing 'h-
terest and sympathy in this community 1t ls not
only topic of conversation in the streets, shops
and stores and in numerous Social circles, but Is
subject of thought and excitement in many regi-
Gus congregations. Nor is the excitement by
any means confined TO the city, but extends INTO
all the region round about In two places Lynn
and bingham, large public meetings have been hela
and resolutions passed Of the most strilng ai''
indignant character On Saturday last 1t was eA-
pected The case would be decided BY Judge oe'f''
aud multitudes came IN from the country 70 "i'
ness the resuIt. The sickness Of the Judge was
assigned as the cause OF az adJourhti1eh1 LII -
day, (Monday,) and before | close 'hiS is'''i
NAV. perhaps. be able 10 inform you OF tae 'ae9 81
the unfortunate man.
p;s ,,a.,er ha, been heard to boast so 1t Is
sts,.d q, good authority that he cares very little
f,r ,be necuaiary value Of his human chattel, his
principalobject in attempting his recapture being
"a ret him once more in his power, IN order TO make
him an example by severe punishment. His wife,
who ran away with him, is confinement, and
awaiting with an egon:zed heart, the sentence that
mn
sending him back To the bondage from which the!
both escaped or confirm his freedom by the strong
bonds of the law. Is it to be wondered at thai
under such circumstances the symPs,hes OF humane
people are aroused, and that multltudes who would
not on any pretence interfere with slavery on ats
opn terrisory are shocked that the soil Of tbe
Pilgrims should become the hunting ground Of the
master, and that, within sight Of Bunker Hill, and
in the very cradle Of the Revolution, whose
complexion is nearly white, and who has showft
himself worthy Of freedom by the simple fact that
he has peaceaby obtained it, should be seized with
out any of the forms OF law, and thrown into jail
for no crime but that of loving Liberty better thai
bondage?
But it is said that the Constitution of the United
States allows such proceedings and binds the peo
pie OF the North to anresisting acqulcscence.
If this is So can it be said with truth, shall we any
longer dare to say, that the North has nothing to
do with slavery But it is not my intention to
argue the point, though TO deny that my feelings
are deeply moved by it would be to acknowledge
myself wanting in the common sympathles OF our
nature and devoid of the noblest attributes OF hu
manity. took my pen simply to give you some
account of two sermons preached yesterday by MIR
fSS'oA AcAN'
this subject The opinions of man SO distin-
euished for his talents and philanthropy, aud no
less revered by all who know him for the virtues
which adorn his character, will command attention
and respect, even where his arguments fail 10 con
vince the understanding and judgement of hi
bearers.
Mr.. Pierpont took for his text the words il
which Matthew records the covenant between th
Jews and the traitor Judas Z" 44nd they core
naated with him for thirty pieces Of silrer' i
was not his object, he said, to excite their indg-
nation bv dwelling upon the guilt OF Judas in be
traying his Lord or that OF tho Jews in putting
him to death. These were common themes. He
proposed TO consider the general question of The
binding force and obligation OF oaths and pro
misses TO do that achich IS violation Of the tar ct
God, or morally 1grong. He deemed this pc
culiarly fitting occasion Tor the discussion OF this
question, when it is proposed TO send back Il
chains and elavery an innocent man, and when the
only plea by which it is attempted TO justify TN
deed is, that have promised to do it, and there
fore cannot go back. The essential morality oi
this case was the same with that in the one re
ferred to in the text. 1t was for thirty pieces ei
silver that Judas covenaIed to betray the life OF
his Divine Master; il was for similar, thoug
perhaps mere tempting consideration, that
promise had been made to betray the liberty oil IN
the right to liberty not less so therefore the es
sental morality of the TIVE covenants was the same
He deemed no rites too sacred (it was com
munion day. no day too holy to discuss this grea
question; and he regarded it as the special duty
the minister of Christ TO lift up his voice aeainst
wrong-to plead the cause OF the down-uoaoen
and the oppressed.
The idea seems to have prevailed in all ages
that vows or oaths uttered under solemn forms.
impose extraordinary obligation, and cannot be
violated without incurring guilt CT peculiar enor
nifty. When the reader of Sacred History hnd.
its written, q Thou shalt perform unto the Lore
thine oaths," and many other similar declarations
he will not wonder that the question which We
propose TO consider has occasioned some embal-
rassment. The case OF Jeptha, of the Jews in the
time of Jeremiah, of Herod and Of those who
banded together TO say Paul. all suggest questions
which it had been found difficult 10 settle. OF all
the forms under which men have bound them
selves, ON oath is the most imposing and solemn
IT, therefore, we settle the question before u
as it respects this form OF otligetion shall yll
tually determine the whole matter. We may de
fine our oath to be, promise, made under the
sanctions OF Religion, to do or not do Partic-
ular act; and its binding force will depend gene
rally upon the question whether it is consistent
with the anterior relations arising from our rea.
tons to God and our fellow men. There are Ger
tain relations in which we placed without tie
exercise of our choice. by the act of our Crea-
tor and the Obligations arising from these are bind
ing upon independently of any promise on our
part to observe them and no promise can absolvs
US from the duty of obeying them or bind to Dc
any thing contrary TO their requirements Such
are the 6al and pa,ernai relarions. The child i,
fo fha in oh