The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-25
Communicated TO the Ohio State Journal.
Anti Fugitive Slave Law Meeting In GIesn
County Ohio ...N

<2hSAA u6itlNC DldV0 bd" Iv4coIluk Ii III
County, Ohio
large number If the religious community,
in tie neighborhood Of the associate congrega.
ton of Massies creek, upon the invitation OF
the members Of said congregation, met on Sat
urday, Dec. 18th, for the purpose of considering
and expressing their sentiments on the late act
of Congress, commonly called the Fugitive slave
law
George Townsley, esq, was called to the
chair, and Daniel Jack on was elected Secre-
tary.
Rev. James p Smart being called upon, opened
the meeting with prayer.
On motion committee of five was appointed
to bring in resolutions expressive Of the sense
OF this meeting
Rev. James p Smart, Robert Hyslap, J. F.
Frazier Daniel Jackson Jonathan Douthett
committee.
The committee withdrew, and during their
absence the Fugitive Slave law WAS read and dis
cussed.
After short absence the committee returned
and, through their Chairman, reported the fol-
lowing preamble and resolutions, which were
considered separately aud unanimously adopted,
except the 4,h, against which there was one dis
sent recorded
WHEREAS, We, az Christians and citizens Of
this nation, having long enjoyed the blessings
OF peace and liberty, under the protection of the
United States Government, must ever feel it a
painful thing to be finding fault with said Gov
eminent and still more, to be under the necessity
of declaring our inability to submit to any Of
its requirements. But, as we consider the perpe-
tulty of our government, and continuance of our
privileges, necessarily dependent upon the virtue
of our citizens and the establishment of our
laws upon the law of God, it becomes n high
Christian duty for us to warn our rulers when
ever we find them devating from that law and
obviously departing, in their Legislative enact
ments, from, the great foundation principles of
justice and equty-actuated by such principles,
We do hereby declare our views of the law of
Congress, called the Fugitive slave bill, in the
adoption of the following resolutions viz:
ReSolred, That there is Il God who rules Ovor
men, and his law is supreme, and that human en-
actments, which conflict with this high law, are
null and void.
ReSolred, That the late law of Congress for
reclamation of fugitive slaves is in direct con-
lct with the law of God Deut. 22d and 9Th :
" Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the
servant which is escaped from his master unto
thee" Therefore, we are bound to obey the
latter, and not the former.
ResolUed, That said act is contrary to the
strongest and purest pronptings Of human na-
ture, and intended to counteract and drown
them; for if there be an object of sympathy and
pure compassion on Gods footstool, it is IL 1u-
gitive slave
Resolved, That said act is also in direct viola
ton of the Constitution of the United States,
(Which was ordained to establish Justice and
preserve liberty,) in refusing jury trial, in sus-
pending the writ of habeas corpus, in striking
down a mans liberty without powers of law,
and legalizing the greatest tyranny.
ReSolupd, That the Constitution of the United
States does not require us to be slave catcherS
for the South, and we will not neither do we
think any christian or honorable men will.
ReSolred, That we regard this law with par
ticular disapprobation and contempt, inasmuch
it offers to Judge and commissioners, fees
disapportiond to the services required of them,
and especially bee use it offers them bride of
five dollars TO condemn the innocent.
Resolred, That the officer or citizen Of the
Northern States who carries out the fugitive
slave law, is MS equally gu ty Of the sin of sla-
very as the master and violates the spirit Of his
State law which declares there shall be no in
voluntary scrvitude except for crime.
Resolred That the whole bill is Offensive to
u.s. because it is nothing more than Legislation
for the oppressor and against the oppressed.
Resolred, That we will use all constitutional
| efforts to secure the repeal of this law.
Resolved, That the proceedings Of this meet
ing be signed by the Chairman and Secretary
and published in the Torch Light. Ohio State
Journal, and National Era, and other papers o
the country be requested to copy
ReSolUed, That county meeting be recon-
mended, and committee of five be appointed
to consult with the friends through the country
in order to agree upon time and place.
ReSolred That the meeting adjourn.
GEORGE TowNsLEY, Chairman
Attpst Dawn IAcKSoN Ser'u