The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-11
From ii, .iiami (Haynessills) Visitor.
Novamhar 18th IS5

November 18th, 1850.
PgocEEDrsGs or A PUBLIC MEETING HELD IN
HARyEYsBURG, WARREN COUNTY, OHo-The
meeting was organized by appointing J. w.
Scroggs to the chair, and Valentine Nicholson
Secretary.
A. Crooke, William Macy, G. F. DrdseIl, J.
G. Stevenson, X. b. Edwards, Valentine Nichol-
son and Charles Ward were appointed COM
mittee to draft resolutions for the consideration
of the meeting.
The committee retired to another room, con-
suited together and unanimously agreed upon
the following resolutions and preamble to the
same, and they were accordingly presented to
the meeting. lnasmuch Us " Resistance to ty-
rants is obedience to God" and as the fact, that
the tyranny proceeding from an elective govern
ment, only increases the duty of resistance in
all those who have made themselves responsible
for the action of such government--and as the
Fugitive slave bill recently enacted by the Uni
ted States renders imperative the writ of habeas
corpus in time Of peace when there is no rebel
ion or invasion-prevents the right of trial by
jury to those seized under its proyisions-offers
the bride of double fee for finding for the plain
tiff when mans inaienable right to liberty is at
issue between the parties, anduakes it penal
offence to feed the hungry, clothe the naked
or succor the oppressed-Therefor RESOLVED,
that we demand the immediate and unconditional
repeal Of the Fugitive law as necessary to the
peace and tranquility of the country
ReSOlred, That the mean and base may uphold
the law aforesaid through want Of relish for
performing the deeds it exacts of them-the
craven and cowardly may submit TO it--through
abect fear, but for us We will resist it each in
his own way and according to the dictate of in.
divdua conscience, regardless of consequenees
to ourselves SO long as it continues in existancc.
Resolved, That as presidents for this course
we have the examples OF all those who have
striven for liberty and against tyranny since the
world began of all those whose memories men
delight to honor; and especially that of our re-
volutlonary slres whose provOcation to the
struggle in which they engaged were immcasur.
ably less than that which demands our action.
ReSotred, That in our belief the man who in
1850 upholds the Fugitive slave law and opposes
the sentiments contained in theabove resolutions
through love or fear Of the national government
would have been found by the side of the To-
res of rs. had he lived in their day, and merits
now the title he then would most certainly have
received
Resolred, That proper regard for our own
liberty and security and for the cause Of human
rights demand of us more diligent and faithful
agitation of community upon those subjects
thiouSh iOiuiiiS VI hcetlHbS, Tie CII-
cnIatiOn of newspapers, such rs boldly advocate
the rights of all mankind and other similar means
The preamble and resolutions rs recorded
above, were each separately considered and dis
cussed with much animation, and all were adopted
by the meeting. A few voices were heard
against the preamble, but for all the above reso-
iutons the votes were unanimous.
Judge Edwards offered the following pream-
bic and resolutions
Whereas in tho opinion of this meeting the
recapturing Of or aiding or assisting in the re-
capture offngitive slaves, either with or without
the sanction Of law, are crimes without parallel
for cnormity in the annals of infamy-thcrefore,
Resolred That we will in no way engage or
be concerned either directly or indirectly, in exc
cutting or giving force and effect to the late law
ofCongress, council and advise all such fugitves,
and especially those who are or may hereafter
be within the limits Of this State, to arm and de-
fend themselves at all hazards and TO any cx-
tremity, against their respective masters, their
agents or officers who shall attempt to recap.
ture them for the purpose Of carrying them into
slavery,
To this resolution some opposition was mani.
ftested by those who We're opposed to encourage
ing violence and the shedding of blood, never
| theless, very large ma jurty of the meeting
were in favor Of the resolution and it was
adopted
resolution was passed by the meeting re-
questing the Secretary to transcribe and forward
| them to the Western Star, Miami Visitor, Ohio
Standard, Weekly Empyream, Clinton Republic
can, New York Tribune, National Era, and Gin
cInuati Gazette requesting the editors to publish
them.
J. w. SCROGGS, President
VALENTINE NICHOLSON, Sccretdry
Will the editors of the New York Tribune
ard National Era please copy.