Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1846-02-27

but as an act which will tend 10 inspire 9TH
ers with greater fear and respect for your
laws.
As yon join your domestic circle, let my
desolate heart be remembered, and as a mag
%istrdte, a husband and a father, decide my
destiny.
With my prayers for your welfare,
| am your afflicted friend,
MARY /. TORREY.
Another petition accompanied the touching
ore of Mrs. Torrey. 1t reads thus
To his ErssAeney he Governor
9he STATE Cr Maryland.
SIR:-Tho subscribers, citizens of the Com
monwoalth of Massachusetts,, most respectful
ly ask leave to address your Excollency in
behalf of the Rev. c.. 7. Torrey, VINO as we
are informed, was convicted in the month of
November last, of violating the Laws of your
State. relating to the abduction Of slaves, and
who is now, under a sentence of your Court,
confined in the Penitentiary of your State.
None can more sincerely regret, than do
the undersigned, that there should exist ques-
tions furnishing occasion of irritation and
jealousy between the citizens of different Sec
tons Of our country. Whatever may be the
opinion Of the undersigned upon tho abstract
question Of slavery, we beg leave to assure
your Excellency, that any attempt u~nconsti
tutionally to effect its extinction, and espe-
cially by our citizens going into other States
where sllvery exists, and ihare aiding or pro-
curing the escape of slaves in violation of the
laws of those Suites, finds with us no SYM
pathy whatever, and we are happy in beliey-
ing that the people of Massachusetts, with
but very few exceptions, entertain the same
sentiment.
1t is to us, therefore, a subject of sincere
regret. that any of our citizens should be so
mistaken in their duty as to go into the States
where domestic slavery exists, and there al
tempt to effect what we doubt not, they sup
pose to be a good object, by a violation Of
the laws of those States.
We do not undertake to Justify Mr.. Torrey
in the acts of which he is said to have com-
milted in violation of the laws OF your State.
He is a man Of slnguine and ardent temper
ament, and while he may have supposed that
he was acting from a sense Of duty and do
inr right, we believe him to have acted under
mistaken views and erroneous impressions.
But he has a family, friends and connexions
in Massachusetts of the his hest respectable
ty, and who are deeply solicitous for his well
fare and for his restoration to his family
Upon assurances givento us by those friends,
in whose honor and integrity we have entire
confidence, we have no hesitation in express
ing to your EXcellency, our unhesitatinI be-
lief, that if Mr.. Torrey should be liberated
and be permitted to return to his friends in
Massachusetts, he would never again attempt
the violation of the laws of any Of the States
relating to the Institution of domestic slave
ry.
While there exists at the North, as we be.
lieve there does at the present time, a strong
public sentiment against snch acts as those
of which Mr.. Torrey has been convicted, as
we cannot refrain from the expression of oul
belief, that the extension to him of the Tx.
%ecutive clemency would as strongly tend tc
prevent a repetition of similar offences as
would the infiction of the seyerest p~enallie;
of the law.
The undersigned, therefore, without in.
tending any improper interference with the
course of public justice in another State.
would most respectfully ask the attention OIL
your Excellency in the case Of Mr.. Torrey,
and if your sense of official duty will permit
his liberation by an act OF Executive clemen'
CIV, we beg leave to assure your Excellency
that such an act would impose upon the high
ly respectable family connections Of Mr.. Tor
rey, as well as upon the undersigned, thu
highest obligations.
We have the honor to be, with great re
spect, your Excellency's ob't servts.
This petition was signed by Geo. A. Hill
ard and forty others, amongt whom, (as Ger
tilted by Gov. Briggs,) is the Speaker Of til,
House and President of the Senate of Massa
chusetts, members of the two branches of thu
Legislature, a Judge of the Supreme Court
two of the Court of Common Pleas, and ma
ny other gentlemen of ability and high stand
ing.
PUBLIC OPINIoN.-Laws do not change o
r pinion, but opinion changes Laws. Publi,
opinion is the Throne of a republic; and
: is eloquently and correctly said by NJ. d
/ Tocquevllle, that ''the greatest depofism o
earth is an excited, ~untaught pnblic senti
= ment; and hence, we should not only hat
, despots, but despotism."
When | feel the hand Of unjust power,
: care little to know who oppressed me ii
woke is not easier, because it is held out
: me by the hands of a million Of men,"
| The best means of correcting public sen,
$ ment, is to agitate it; for "when thought
C agitated truth rises" Therefore, let ligt
by means of the Press, and the living voic
be poured upon the public mind.
We must agitate for Reform, like a TO
e will fall as we stop whipping.
We have not only to strike while the in
l. is hot, but we must mako the iron hot
Of striking.