Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-10-31
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BURLINGTON:
81, 1850.
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Opposition to the Fugitive Slave Law.
We notice that the Fugitive Slave Law Of the
late session Of Congress, is receiving large por-
,ion OF the time and attention Of religious assem-
blies. in different portions Of the country, which
might very well be devoted TO better business. II
the labor and pains bestowed by clerical fanatics to
induce men TO break the law, were employed in
persuading them to Keep it and act the part Of good
citizens il would be great deal better for all con-
cerned.
The New York State Baptist Convention, which
met 1t Brockport on the 9th, passed resolutions
repsafng the fugitive slave law as contrary to the
Declaration Of Independence. and opposed to the
direct grants Of the constitution to every citizen,
and to the law of God. They pledge themselves
not voluntarily to aid in giving effect to the law.
The New York Evangelical Congregational asso-
citation held at Poughkcepsie, N. Y, october Sth,
adopted resolutions declaring that they could not
recognize the fugitive slave law as OF any force,
because, as they assume, it is contrary to the ex-
press command Of Cod in opposition to the great
law Of Christian benevolence; contrary to the con-
sttution; revolving to humanity, and outrages eve
~ principle Of human feeling Of humanity and re-
ligion. Tho association further adopted the fol-
lowing resolutions:
Resolved, That while we recognize the obliga-
ton to obey the laws Of the land, we make an ex-
ccptiOn in the case Of all such provisions con-
travene the shigher laws Of God.
Resolved, That we advise all persons to render
every needful aid and comfort to Fugitive Slaves,
just the aamc as ii there were no law in the land
forbidding it.
The Congregational Association Of Illinois at its
late meeting held in Mendon, took the same ground
in opposition to the law, and passed the following
resolutions:
Resolved, That we hold ourselves and all Chris
tian men bound to obey God rather than man.
Resolved that the infamous requirements Of this
law, that should withhold bread from the fam
ishing, and relief from our hunted fellow man, are
barbarous in the extreme.
In striking contrast with the action ofthese bod
the New school Presbyterian Church, at its late
session in N. York City. Aresolution was passed
recommending obedience TO the law, and the Sy-
nod refused to entertain amendment declaring
il unconstitutional.
The opponents ofthe law would be enttlad to
more respect If they gave fair representation Of
its provisions, and die not attempt to make their
misguided followers believe it worse than it really
10. Their accounts OF the law are studied mlsrep-
RESERVATIONS, as we shall briefly attempt to show:
LIST. Their resolutions and addresses on the SUBJ
ec hold out the dea to the people OF the northern
states, that fthes give to the fugitive slave crust
Of bread or cup Of cold water, they are liable to
IN vne vensvsseS 0f sno "--~~~~s~----
?. They are equally pertinacious serting that
the law requires the people OF the free states to be-
come slave hunters, and slave catchers, for the
benefit OF their southern neighbors.
No unprejudiced mind can draw such conclu-
sions n these from careful perusal Of the law,
and they are only put forth to answer the purpose
Of creating hostility to it. Judge Mclean, Of the
Supreme Court, entertains no such opinion OF the
duties or liabilities Of citizens under this law
Here 10 what he says on the subject; and we com.
mond to the attention of all believers in Mr. Sew.
ards doctrine of s.higher law,
ssIn regard to the arrest Of fugi,ives from labh
the law does not impose active duties upon our
citizens generally. They are not prohibited from
exercising the ordinary charities offe towards the
fugitive. To secrete him. or to convey him from
the reach OF his master, or TO rescue him when in
legal custody. is forbidden; and for doing this H.
ability is incurred. This gives to no one jus
ground Of complaint. He is only to refrain from
IN express violation OF the law, which operates t
the injury of his neighbOr. Is this hardship? N,
aw-abiding man can consider it. He canno
claim right to do that which the law forbids with
out striking at the base Of society. II the law b
unwse or impolitic, let it be altered in the mod,
prescribed; but so long as il remains the law, ey
cry good citizen will conform to it. And ever,
one who arrays himself against 1t, and endeav orr
oy open or secret means to bring it into contempt
50 that It may be violated with impunity, is an en-
envy to the best interests Of his country.''
.. But these clerical expounders Of human law,
in their efforts to create hostility and prejudice to
the act OF Congress relating to fugitive slaves tell
the people with all the flourish and emphasis OF rhe-
sorca display that this law takes away two Of the
great buiwarks of human liberty the crit of Hobe-
q CoTpus, and the right Of Trial by Jury. In an
swer to this we need only quote the opinion Of the
Attorney General Of the United states, an account
Of which win be found in another column. He saws
there is nothing in any part of the act that sus-
ponds the privilege of the writ OF habea. corpus;
and that the whole act is not only constitutional
but necessary for the proper enforcement of that
provision Of the constitution which declares that
all fugitives "shall be delivered on claim,
Z. II il further claimed by these opponents OF
the law, that it exposes any free man to the de-
signs OF kidnappers, and that any person white or
black, free or slave: may be arrested,uner the law
- fugitive from slavery on the affidavit OF pre-
tended slave owner and transported 10 distant
state. This objection might well be Thought too
RIDICULOUS for serious notices. if il had not been put
forth with great gravity in one Of their
~ the Congregational Association of Illinois, II
any ofthese eccle sastica gentlemen are afraid Of
being arrested as fugitive slaves, it would be well
f1r them to be making tracks for Canada as soon
- possible. The country, perhaps, can do very
well without them. Those, however, whom they
have attempted to brighten and mslead may as well
be Informed that there still laws to punish per-
jury--to redress wrongs and protect the innocent
and there is no greater danger now, than there
ever has been, that ones life and liberty and prop
erty may be taken from him without his fault or
knowledge. Fugitives from justice are arrested
and delivered up to the proper authorities, much
in the same way that fugitive slaves are. Such has