The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-04-12

he reaches our territory, becomes al onct
reinsIa,ed in :he enjoyment of all his natu
raj rights which belonged to him while il
Africa. Il is true that we lend him no pro
lection against his master, but We leave
him TO defend himself with all the means in
his power. He may, for this purpose, pro.
vide himsefwiih, weapons. If there be two
or more OF them together, they may unite
their efforts 10 defend themselves; and in all
respects put forth ilcir physical powers 10
the same extent that they could do were they
on ,he soil of their native land am aware
that many Of our people think il wrong 10 dc
any Thing by which The slave shall learn his
rights. With such disagree. If ii were
IN my power, every person should know his
rights the moment he touches our soil. To
withhold from him this knowledge, would
aid his master in regaining him. We are
under no constitutional, legal or moral OBJ
legation thus to aid the master; therefore,
every means VIC may use Cor that purpo sc
makes us partakers OF his guilt. On the
contrary, We are under every morol obliga-
ton 10 use all or efforts and influence 20
the advancement ofjusiice and liberty, so
far as we can, without offending against the
laws Of our country. 1t is on this princi.
pic that every citizen of our State, whether
he be Judge, justice of the peace. or any
other State officer, incurs as much moral
guilt, when he assists master in re,aking
slave, as he would were he to 60 with the
m@s!er 10 Africa, and aid him in capturing
and bringing into slavery the Inhabitants of
that unhappy land. 1t must DO vitiated
state OF public opinion that regards them in
any other light. The offence against man.
kind is the Same in either case: and | intend
that no false delicacy shall deter me from
40 unreservcd expression ofour rights
One of these rights is to inform every per-
son within our borders Of all his lega! privi-
leges, would as soon lake from slave
his physical powers of defence, as would
rob him of his moral power; would as soon
bind his body with chains, as would bind
his intellect in ignorance. But while the
slave enjoys these natural rights, the master
has his constitutional and legal privileges;
and these we are bound also TO respect and
observe. The master may enter our State,
and 6uss through it in pursuit Of his fugitive
slave, and we have not the constitutional
power TO prohibit him. AS individuals, we
NAV refuse him admission 20 our dwellings,
or we may deny him the rights Of hospilali.
~: we may regard him with horror, and
teach our children 10 deiest him; bat he
may, nevertheless, travel our roads. and
may arrest his slave in our presence; and
may bind him, if necessary, and transport
him back 10 the States from whence he cs-
caped. We have no right 10 interfere for
the slaves protection although our sympa.
tbies may be excited in MS favor. On this
subject our faith is pledged, and must not be
violated. But while we permit the master
10 do this, We do no, protect him in doing it.
Far from it. When he enters our State TO
arrest his fugitive slave, so far as they TO
are concerned, he docs it al his own peril.
as much as he would if he were to 90 10 AZ
RIGA 10 kidnap native Of that county,
He has no law to protect him. and must de-
pend upon physical force; yet he must re.
spect the rights of GU: people. He must
not violate the sanciity of our private dwell.
lings, nor must he violate tho public peace.
He may lay gentle hands" upon the slave
under no obligation TO furnish him The use
of our prisons, or 10 guard his captive for
him. If The slave defends himself, The mas.
ter is no; thereby authorized 10 shoot or
kill him as he would if in slave Stale
Should he do that, it would constitute muir
der under our law, for which lie would be
hanged, the same as though he had killed a
freeman. After lie has arrested the slave,
he cannot compel him % perform any men,
tai service whatever, nor can he legally beat
or chastise him. Should ne do this he may
be arrested and punished for the assault and
battery. The masters power extends so
far as is necessary 10 arrest and take back
his slave; beyond this he cannot go. But
he may do every thing 10 effect this object
peacea5ly. Here his rights terminate. But
his lie does al his own peril; and If the
slave. 10 defending himself, Kill his master,
il is a matter in which We have no concern.
Yet he must not do il wun:only o. unneces-
sarily. Should be beat off his master, and,
while the master is reeteating. shoot him.
that, too, would be murder, and we should
then hang the slave.
These are some of the rights Of the mas
ter, and ofihe slave, while within our State;
and it will be observed by every reader, that
it is q matter entirely beiveen themselves.
L. is subject in which our people are un-
der no obligation TO interfere. lfthe slave
drive back the master when attempting TO
arrest him, there is no moral or legal duty
resting upon US 10 step in 10 the masters
aid. There is no such stipulation contain
ed in our Constitution. The patriots who
framed that charter of American liberty,
made no such degrading compromise for
The people of the free States. Yet, by the
Constitution, our State is made tho race
ground over which the master may pursue
his slave; and NAV use every means TO ar
rest him that m officer may use TO arrest
citizen on legal process. There is this dis
tinc,ion, however, between the master and
officer; we protect the officer but rot the
master. For person 10 resist an officer,
in the execution of process, is criminal un-
h elo hex