Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-12-01
From the Liberator,
Law and Duty,

aH. .a"" On" N- 90
TO DR. LOWELL, Boston; On. I~lITcHcoeK,
Randolph DR. SroRRs, Braintrce 4; Mn,
4 THOMPSON, and On. WORCESTER, Salem
p Mn. BRfaGs, Plymouth Mn. Hill, Wor-
cester; On. Cum, Lowell Mr.. LoTHRor,
Boston: .l1 \ 'aI 55o-e|t
REVEREND GENTLEMEN,--in your report,
read before the Convention of Congregation
al Ministers of Massachusetts,, is found the
following propositions:
'4th. But, as no society is organized upon
pure principles of right and Justice, and the
wisesi human legislation is but an approxi-
nation to perfect law, a question arises as to
the extent to which allegiance is due TO the
State, when its requirements, as in the case
of laws enforcing slavery, are manifestly
founded in injustice. We answer this gues-
ton, without scruple, by saying that il is the
duty of the people of the United States TO
submit to the laws of the land, in their re-
cognition and support of slavery, so far, and
only so far, as the integrity and peace Of the
State require such submission"
Now, is not the above rather a loose way
of doing business? Why is not society or
gained upon pure principles of right and
Justice? If in Our best cndeavors after
the right, we fail of accomplishing our OBJ
! ltCl, IulI SlOIl VI lDC ll1dIh Ut WHICH WI AIM,
shall We not make another attempt Does
the failure lesson our moral obligation still TO
strive? is it manly, is il Christian, to lower
our standard, because, forsooth, we have
failed once, or even more than once? Is it
thus that true soldiers of Christ display
their valor? Is it thus that they Eight the
good fight of faith? Was it by following
such n rule, that our revolutionary sircs
buildcd better than they knew? May we
count ourselves as having attaincd,' when
VIC thus gain the goal by shortening the dis
lance over the Christian race-course? Ano-
Their voice would seem to say@'Be We per-
feet
What allegiance to the State when its
requirements are maniiestly founded in in
justice? Only consider the proposition =
viii it bear repeating? And then your I'M
scrupulous' answe 1T is our duty to sub
NIT to the laws, in their recognition and sup
port of slavery, so far, and only so far, as the
integrity and peace of the State require such
submission Gracious God! are these thy
ministers? Integrity and peace and how
secured? By complying with the require
ments of MANIFEST INJUSTICE nothing
else, Is not this purchasing peace at quite
too dear n rate? Is it not q sacrifice OF om
ntegrity
"Integrity and peace of the Slate! Real
ly! Do not the integrity and peace OF tho
Church, also, require such submission ?
Slavery is the ruling demon in the Church
no less than in the State. Is this integrity
the same thing spoken of by n certain man
of God, when he exclaims-'I will hold fast
my integrity so long as l live? l think not
Indeed, as for this integrity of the Churcl
and State, / believe the less a man has of it,
the better. And this dear-bought peace
gentlemen, can you see any resemblance in
il to that . peace which passeth understand
ing? / cannot. Thy peace shall he like
a river Truly, the peace which You would
preserve resembles more a mountain stream
ending in mud 1t can never find its way
to the ocean of love divine
'Sill, it is demanded of them, by every
principle of justice and humanity, 10 use all
peaceful means in their power to annul those
laws
True. But what are the principles o.
Justice and humanity when opposed to the
INTEGRITY and PEACE of both Church ant
State? Gentlemen, had you forgotten tho
REQUIREMENTS OF the integrity ande pedc,
of the State and the consequent DUTY o
the people!
I'VE do not deny, but acknowledge, th'
legal right of property in slaves. We ADM
that that is property, for the time being
which the law declares to he property. w
would not counsel interference with til
= Shareholders in their exercise of this right n
1 long as it exists"
Then, according to your ethics, a mora
,rron" may constitute a illegal right ID
S YOU take into consideration that the slave
;, a MAN? that he was created in the image
! God? that the Almighty 'breathed into h
h nostrils the breath of life, and he became
d LIVING SOUL? Perhaps the Integrity al
II peace of the State may not recognize the:
7 truths but, gentlemen, regarding your ow
'integrity aud peace aside from the stat
d and the Church, may not you, as men, II
II ~cognize as such all the children of one con
mon Parent, without regard 10 color or col
n dition? 1t would seem, then, that your leg;
II right is clearly a legal iCyOng, not in the lca'
sanctifed by il. legality; but a dainning 81
against God; a sin OF the deepest dye q
enormity immeasurably stupendous. Doyo
: not SO view it? Can you coolly admit III
= right Of any human constitution or law I
e change the image of God into property
goods and Observation-Disclosures? Ho'
$ much would this come short of dethronin
>, the God of the universe, and accepting til
Y law (which was created by men perhaps n
g wiser nor better than yourselves as your go:
d pei and your God? For myself, | ann 10
vet prepared to worship parchmcnt-an
/ God grant that Ineyer may be ] will couI
q sci Interference with the Shareholders IN the
exercise of this moral wrong-or, ifyo
n please, this right iniernal-'as long as
Il exists / will counsel all good men, all tn
G men, to resist the devil, IN any shape wbic
lie may assume-wi,h or without horns.
/ care not whether he come in the shape OF
cartridge-hox, a ballot-boX, or a contributor
5 box, when l can detect his presence, 1 vi
at resist him-so help me God! Wheder
d the form of a roll of birthstone, or aroll
ID parchment, it matters not TO me; God hel
rs ing me, 1 will Withstand him. He may 81