The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-11-27
More Fanaticisn.

We tnd the Following rcngouS exposition o
the higher law in the New York Erening Post
TIE FuGIrIyE SLAVE Law AMONG THE METHOD
Isrs.-The following preamble and resolutions
relative to the new Fugitive slave law, were adopt
ed by the "Preachers' Meeting" consisting of the
Methodist ministers of New York, Brooklyn and
Williamsburgh, at their weekly meeting, in the
Mission Rooms in Mulberry street, on Saturday
the 9th instant. Over thirty ministers were pres
ent, and though the Sub Jet was very fully dis
cussed, yet in the voting there was entire unanim-
ity, not single voice being given against any OF
the resolutions. cend them TO you for publica,
ton since prudential! reasons have induced the con-
ductors ofthe Christian Advocates and Journal to
deny the document place in its columns.
FhereaS, an act passed at the last session OF
Congress, entitled can act to amend, and supple
mentary to, an act respecting fugtlves from JUS
tice, and persons escaping from the service Of their
masters, approved February II, 1898 ; and where
as said act virtually denies the right of habeas
pus, the privilege of trial by jury, and the right Of
appeal, to All individual arrested under said act, on
charge of being fugitive from slavery, and also
provides for the summary removal of such ind-
vldual to the land of slavery upon certificate"
issued in a remote station-and "aflidavits" that
may be equally difficult of legal scrutiny, and
which this bill declares "shull Le conclusive Of the
right of the person" claiming such fugitive so to
remove him, and cutting off ''any process to pre-
vent 1t, issued by any court, judge, magistrate, or
other person Whomsoever.'
And lrhereas the fee of ten dollars on rendition OF
a decision in favor Of the slave catcher, while only
five ia allowed should the decision be in favor of
the alleged fugitive, may serve as u bride to cor
rupt magistrates to decide against the fugitive
And tcheras by said bill, "all good citizens are
commanded to aid and assist in the execution of
Its provisions and also, power is given to the
slave catchers appointed by the commissioners,
"withln their counties respectively to summon
and call to their aid" any one who may chance to
be near--thus compelling him under the pains and
penalty Of law to assist, and making our broad
domain hunting ground for men, women and
children, whose only legal offence is that, like our
forefuthers, they prefer freedom 10 slavery, and
act from the principle that they have right to be
free:
And rhcreuS the "summnry manner" in which
the provisions Of THIS bill are to be executed, is all
calculated to defeat the ends of Justice and good
government, while the facilities it affords to kid
nappers are such to render insecure the dearest
and most sacred RI hts of our colored citizens
Therefore,
/. Rcsolred That said bill is inconsistent with
the Declaration Of our national independence, and
with the Constitution Of the United States, the one
of which atIirnlS that all men are endowed by God
with the lnoerabe rights Of ''iiie, liberty and the
pursuit Of happiness," and the other that "the
writ of hdbCuS corpus shall not be suspended, unless
when in case Of rebellion or INVASION the public
safety may require it, and also expressly guar
antees that the trial of all crimes, except in cases
Of impeachment, shall lie by jury.
,. Resolved, That said bill is Inconsistent with
the objects Of our Federal Union, which as set
forth in the preamble 10 the Constitution, were to
form ga more perfect union, establish Justice, en-
sure domestic tranquility, provide for the common
defence, promote the general welfare and secure
the blessings of liberty to ourselves and rosterity
j. Resolved, That SAID bill is Ubiquitous and un-
righteous IN its provisions, and in fragrant viola
ton OF the law Of God, it requires to deliver up
the fugitive, and commands all good citizens to us.
slst, but God says, "Thou shalt not deliver unto
his master the servant which is escaped from his
master unto thee this bill requires us to place
letters upon the fugitive and send him back into
bondage, while God says, "He shall dwell! with
thee even among you, in that place which he
shall choose, in one Of the gates that liketh him
best thou shalt not Cypress him."
4. Rssolred That it is the duty Of all Christian
men to seek by all wise and prudent means, the
Immediate and unconditional repeal Of said law
that this duty they owe to God, to their country
and to humanity. (Signed)
d. w. CLARK,
w. X. SropFoRD.
F.. T.. GRISWOLD, Chairman.
NJ. ID. G. CRAWFORD, Secretary.