Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1846-02-20
FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE.

- 80
by an extract which we give below from
the letter of a correspondent OF the Baltimore
Saturday Nisiter, bearing date of Feb. 4th,
it appears that some of the Legislators ofthat
State are unwilling that the colorod man shall
have freedom to worship God as his con-
science may dictate.
"There has been but little of general inter-
est lone in the Legislature during the pres
ent week. Among the proceedings had, the
matter more interesting probably than any
other to the numerous readers of your journal
was the consideration, on Monday last, of the
Bill entitled "A supplement- to an Act rela-
ting to Free Negroes and Slaves, passed at
Dec. session, 1881"
The first section Of this bill proposes 10 re-
peal so much Of the act of 1881, CHI 323. rs
allows negroes to assemble for purposes of
religious worship under the conduct and
management of a white licensed or ordained
preacher &c. Sand to declare all such as
semblages unlawful and tumultuous." The
second section provides that the holding of
any such meeting shall be considered pyima
Jacie evidence of the consent of the owner
Of the land upon which Such meeting shall
be held, and subjects him to a penalty of
500 unless, he can show by the testimony
of at least two frechoIier', that such meeting
was without his knowledge and consent.
The third and last section declares all meet
ings Of negroes for religious purposes, other
than those held at regular and appointed
houses OF worship, to be unlawful and tumul-
tuous and subjects the owner Of any house
where any such meeting may be held, to the
same fine as that above mentioned. The bill
was warmly supported by Mcssr5. Carroll.
Clagett, Recder, and Bowie, and opposed by
Messrs. Cox, Biser, and Frazier.
Mr.. Cox said he did not wish to get into
an argument as to the propriety of the pass
age of this law, but he coLld not see it pass
ed upon by the vote OF the House, without
calling attention particularly to the conclu-
ding clause of the second section. lie thought
it SO eXceptionlble, that he felt assured the
House Oh due reflection. would not pass it.
1t was altogethcr,in his opinions new qualii-
cation to rcnler a witness competent to speak
the truth, that he should be n freeholder!-
But this, itself, is not all. 1t puts it out of
the power OF mln TO prove his innocence, if
indicted under the provisions of this act by
throwing the burden upon him, of proving a
negative oil a most extraordinary character,
VIZ: that such meeting was without his knowl-
edge. Now, continued Mr.. c., | maintlin
that this is altogether impracticable. How
can a man adduce any such proof Is there
a man in this House that would, under any
circumstances, be willing to 90 into "A Court
of Justice and declare, under the solemn OBJ
legations of an oath, what!-why, that his
ncighbor did not knop that a meeting was
held on his ground, or in his house, in viola
ton Of this act.
Mr.. G.. spoke somewhat moro at length up,
on the subject, and his remarks seemed tC
have the desired effect upon the House, fol
after modifying the bill SO as to remove from
it the,,objectionable qualification of witnesses
it was rc-committed to the Committee on the
Colored Population, and it is to be hoped WI
have heard the last Of it!