Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-12-23

;ments Of it's apologists, and constitutions
d defenders. ,- ..,----t5 ......-.
Mr.. John Thomas tksn made soiis re.
marks, plain. Poiti'ed, apd tempered with
the right, spirit. He. like, the Ehslish
Chancellor, coubssled obedience 10 Gods
Law first, and to mems LawrneaL 5a 81
A letter was then read from Hon. j. K
GiadiEgs in repty 10 an invitation which
had been extended TO him 10 be present
upon the occasion. .....
~ Jefferson Nov. lA,h. 1850.
/ Other and prior eBgaes.
menls will forbid me the pleasure OF meet.
ing The citizens Of Paltityra on The 26th
inst. But beg leave 10 assure you that
1my heartfelt sym2athies are with those
who disapprove that libel upon Legislalion
called the Fugitive Law" .a. q,
| For it | entertain no reSpect whatever.
(.'lt was conceived in sin and brought forth
in iniqu,ty." Southern arrogance and
Northern servility united 10 seal the lips
q: those who advocated The cause OF i1u.
mani,y by sustaining the previous question
thereby preventing all discussion ot its de-
merits, and all exposure OF its real charac-
le.. The supporters Of Slavery vainly
hoped to s.iie investigation, and suppress
truth, by the passage OF a pretended Law
which strikes down he Constitution. SUBJ
verts every principle of American Liberty.
obliterates The rights Of human natdre, wa
ges war with G,d's Law, and enjons upon
a christian community The commission ot
crimes the most revolving to every feeling
of our hearts. 1t therein declares, that
..aH good citizens are commanded to aid
and assist in The prompt and efficient ers-
culion of ih,s law." Had this law co,n-
mauded me to commit common murder, or
ordlnury Pirncy, might have have taken
into consideration the propriety OF obeylhs
it. But it requires me- to give chase to the
flying bondnan as he hastens to land of
freedom-.o Sc 70 him and riyei The cold
iron upon his trembling limbs, 10 drag him
back and deliver him over TO botdage. To
chains. TO the scourge, TO barbarous deu,h
by tnriute under the lash uf an inhurnan
overseer. Every intelligent person knows
that all reclaimed fugitiyes are immediate
| ly sold and carried to that Go!go,hu Of lhe
South. where MIR. Clay assures US that The
average length Of their lives does no, ex.
coed fue or seven years. The Fugitive
Law commands US 10 participate in arrest
| ing and sending victims to this souIhera
immolation, by torture thousand timts
more cruel than ordinary assassination. =
| would be as wiling 10 handle the scourge,
TO sink the thong into his quiyerihg fests
and to tear from him the lie which God
has given him, Ms to seiae hun aad hand
him over 10 his foffneniors,' with lhs full
knowledge and cGnsicrion that they will dB
il. Nor is The crime of the slave cutchkf
less in the sight Of God or goUd men ihaii
rage by this final sacrifice of The victim, f..
Yet we are told that we must obey this
law and perpeirate these crimes. until
Slave ridden Congress shall see FL 10 re.
claim Us from such sin against God. by re:
pealing the Inv. "Whether it BE- right
10 obey God or man judge ye" III
From my innermosl soul abhdr, deIest
and re?udia,e this Law. despse the hu.
man being who would obey ii, if such be-
ing has existence. ..5
| should regard such man as moral
nuisancs. cnntumina,ing ihe aruf freedom.
and would kick him from my door, should
he dare attempt to enter my dwelling.
The authors of this law may lake from
ME my substance. mny imprison ME. OF
take my life. but they have no, ,he power
10 degrade me by compelling me 10 com:
init such transcendent crimes .ogainsl thy
fellow man and against Gods law. q.
/ rejoice exceedingly that the psople 6f
the free States comprehend and uppreciale
this insult 10. every freeman Of the North.
Public feeling is aroused, popular indigna-
ti6h Is speaking trumpet ,ongued 10 those
servants Of the people who dared thus oe.
grade the American character by consti.
tutmg US Calchpoles Of Southern Slave.
hunters.
The great leader Of the democratic party
hns been rebuked in his own district, in his
own Stale. Michigan aud Wisconsin are
no longer Slave States. They are now
The abodes OF freemen. illinois too. is NOV
ling. She has discarded some of her pub
Ilic servants who were not regarded IS reli.
able for freedom. New York. the home
Of ihe Presiden, too. is hurling defiance at
all. who would enslase her people. Della!
ware hds rsproved and repudlated her pub.
lie men who sustained the iniatlous law;
and New Jersey now stands arrated agains,
the administration who approved this me-
farious enactment. Even old Massachu.
s-its has spoken in thunder tones in execra-
ton of this Inv.
From every portion of the free stn'e'
We have the cheering intelligence that
freedoms hosts are moving with IN irre-
sistible power. Ours is the cause Of truth
and humanity. Our triumph is near; but
let no friend lay aside his atmor. Let our
watchword be on,oard-and victory, glo-
rious victory will crown our efforts.
For the hind terms Of respect contained
in your letter Of invitation. tender you
.hanks. For yourselves and those for
whom you act, please accept the assurance
of my high regard. r..,..--