Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1850-10-05

power and the earthquake has is power-but there is
something atong men more capable Of shaking despot
&c POKER than lightning, whrlwind earthquake, that
is the threatened Indignation of the civilized world"
| The resolutions were received with the loudest
demonstrations of applause. As soon as quiet was
restored, 4 motion having been made for their ac-
ceptance, John c. Wyman, ESQ.,, took the platform
and addressed the audience in speech of great eo-
quence and power, He said when he entered the
hall TO night, the first question that suggested itself
to his mind was, what has this vast assemblage of
the people met TO consider Is it TO consider the
cause of Liberty in Greece, is it to denounce the
Russian and Austrian oppressors of Hungary-s it
TO take measures for the relief of starving Ireland
nc! for none of these things had we asembled.but to
discuss the best means ofsecuring to men in Repub-
ican America, the right to their own bodies and
souls. Heie in Massachusetts,, where are Bunker
I'LL and Lexington and Fanuiel Hall, we are met to
see there be power enough in our constitution and
laws to protect our own citizens upon our own soil
from the grasp of the Slave hunter. Mr. W. spoke
IN the severest terms of the legislation by which the
law had been carried, and exposed the recreancy
OF Daniel Webster to his oft avowed professions in
allegiance to higher law than the constitution and
expressed his determination to resist its action and
defy It's threats. Fine him they might, but where
was the prison massive that it could hold him. or
where was the bolt of iron so strong that the public
sentiment of Massachusetts would not bend it to set
him free. Mr.. W. was listeued to with the most
marked attention and sat down amid long continued
cheers
Mr.. c. Chauncey Burr, of Philadelphia, being pres
emit and loudly called for by the audience then took the
rosum, and addressed the assembly in support of the
Resolutions in powerful speech Congress had no
right, he sad to pass such infamous act which at
tempted to annul the ri hts which God gave him. A
man, said Mr. B., gets tights from Congress Rights
come from God alone, and the rights of a single man
to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were good
against the parchment laws of all legislative bodies,
judges, courts, and commissioners. God gave rights
and they could be taker away without ustifyng the
person in setting his natural rights against human enact
ments, and settling the question by resort to all the
means which God and nature had put into his hands.
Thomas Drew being then called for from all parts of
the hall, next forward to speak in favor of the
adoption of the resolutions. He said the enthusiasm
with which the meeting was inspired, seemed to render
1t somewhat necessary that they should be remnded of
their constitutional dutes' He said that there were
tagKlves from bondage in that house, who were each
moment trembling with fear lest the kdnapper should
lay his hands upon them. He had come to the meeting
with one Of them who had but recently escaped and
who feared that there was not public sentiment in
Worcester strong enough give the assurance of sin
Iula hnur Of So(at, -. l. L
British Queen. For himself he believed that the men
of Worcester who had to this meeting had made
up their minds that no power on earth could take
man from their midst for the purpose of consgnng him
to hopeless bondage. He acknowledged a higher law
than the constitution, aud when the question come
as to whether he should obey the mandate of Jehovah
or the law of Congress, he knew to which his alleg-
lance was due. He exhored the meeting to stand firm
to their convictions of what was right in this matter
and take the consequences. He would not council
any forcble or violent measures We had the power
to protect the fugyes within our borders by the force
of united public sentiment, which should stand as an
lmpenetrabe barrier between the STAKEHOLDER and his
victim, and not permit him pass. He believed that
# the attempt was made to take fugitive here in the
heart of Worcester, not a rebellion but revolution
would be the result.
A motion was here made by Henry Earle, ESQ, to
strike out part Of the first resolution, which was not
8 sustained, and
Albert Toma1 Esq. took the floor, and he was for
protecting our coored population at all hazards, and
IN spite of all threats. The law of Congress bore with
great severity upon of best citizens who had
escaped from bondage and won the confidence and es
D TEEN OF the community by their irreproachable and
blameess lives, and he could hardly repress the ndgna
ton that burned within him at the very questioning of
our right and ability to protect our own citizens.
fugitive slave by the name Of MYERS, next address,
ed the audience, and in very pointed and lopical
speech, defined his position and gave expression to his
outraged feelings He had thought the matter all over
he said and had made up his mind after four eseapes
from slavery to go for trial by jury The law said 9TH
erwse but he determined before he went back to
slavery again. to have twelve Massachusetts men SIT in
judgment upon him. and he would prefer to abide their
verdict upon criminal charge Of the man who should
attempt to take him, than the tender merces of
shareholders.
The Committee appointed to nominate vigilance
committee Of forty then reported the names of the
following gentlemen for each ward, and their report
was unanimously adopted as follows
II WARD Geo w. Russell, r. r. Willard Oliver Far-
rlngton, Nathan Muzzy, Alfred Parker.
H. 2-C1ares Washburn Harrison Bliss, J. II. Brooks,
3-Jonas w. Bartlett, Benz P. Rice, Henry Prept,s.
Thomas Tucker, A. NJ. Merrifeld
II 4-Cayin Newton, Walter r. Biqelow Josenb pxa,,
James :. Woodwork, Danveis Rice -i"''
5-Henry >. Washburn, Benz stowel, Henry j. How
land, willard i. Pond, Amos j. Brooks. l,a'r =
6--Chares Thlnber, Adophus Morse, s, & Leonard
stephen Taft, Curtis Forbush