The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-10-15
5be hlioSleburp Register.
Middlebury, October Is, 1850.


Bill, and tho consequent agitation among !,
hose, whose private sentiments have lcaped !,
n,o battle array against social compact, to
which they are virtually one Of tho parties,
render the following charge of Judge Nc |
Lean, to a Jury about to decide upon an
action brought by citizen Of Kentucky. a.
cainst n citizen of Indiana, for harboring and
conccaling runaway slaves, one Of practical
interest and Importance. 1t is the duty OF
all citizens, who regard the public peace and
and their own honor, to weigh this matter
with care and caution. There Is right po-
sition and it is not to be derived from head
long. imrulsivc vocifcration and wordiness.
If we decide that our private opinions and
prciuiices are to ride "ruugh-shod " over
the supreme law of the Land, we do SO, at
the risk of suliecting to like disrespect and
opposition whatever other laws may conflict
with the conscientious scruples Of future |
bigoted Remodects. These conscientious
scruples are rather cquiyocal foundations,
upon which TO rest questions Of right and
equity between parties, whose constitution,
education, interests and prcjudices are TO
some degree inevitably, conflicting and dis
similar The bend bears our own signs and
seals. If merciless Shylocks claim their
pounds of flesh," we have already given
our consent to that claim. In government
such as ours, it is extreme folly to foam with
wrath and threaten to violate, what the ma
jority have decided 10 be for the interest of
the nation. The question which every true
citizen should present to himself, is simply
this -" VIVA, is my duty under the present
exigency?' As lover of " law and ordcr,"
he is bounl to heed the reply which Judge
Mclean has expressed in the following cx
tract. In brief, it seems to be this Refrain
from overt violation of the law, and follow
the dictates of mercy within the law.
In New England, of course. there is but
one opinion in regard to this law. That has
been reiterated again and again, by..all elias
ses. Still let our press thunder forth its dis
appreciation of the principle it contains. Not
in the words of invcctive and taunt--not in
incendary editorial leaders. But in the
tone and language of equals 10 equals, rcas
oning, pleading and convincing, not upbraid-
ing, cursing and abandoning.
All other means, than those which may
be legitimacly used TO effect q change in
public opinion in the South, will prove hol
low and Intellectual. Sooner or later, when
ever emancipation does occur, it will have
its origin in that chang The late inhicton
upon the South of necntliary charges and
cpithets, has done more TO rivet the chains of
the slave, than can be undone in ten years
to como. We have heard even Shareholders
themselves allow, shat were they inhabitants
OF Free States, they should hesitate before
they gave aid in tho recapturc of slaves.
There are not few such men in Kentucky
Their number rdS increasing. But this
spirit of " running the slave and tripping the
catcher" has thrown them back upon acts of
selfdefence. They see that they are in a
difficult position. They are unwilling to
beggar themselves and children, for the sake
of escaping evils, in which they have had no
direct agency in involving themselves. Yet
thoy still are feeling about, for a way of G.
Emancipation, conducive to tie intercs; of the
slave, without being totally subersive oftheir
own. They endeavor 10 make common the
sentiments, which they themselves entertain
But their efforts are worse than nulifed 10y
the irritating accents, which come from the
press of New England With hcirprejudi-
ccs and passions, they can feel toward SUCH
only as toward incendiarics and robbers.
If discretion is not the better part of true
valor, 1t certainly constitutes great part of
It, Nalor is worse than wasted, when mis-
guided byintcmperate and hothcaded zeal
These remarks will serve to introduce fen
others, upon communication in the N. Y.
Independent of Oct, Sd. Its upon,this same
Fugitive Slave Law.
The astral contributor thus radiatcs:--
With such solemn convictions, no Law.
impious, nidel TO God and humanity shall
have respect or observance, at our hands.
We desire no collision with it. We shall
not rashy dash upon it. We shall not ut
tempt rescue, nor interrupt the officers, If
they 10 not interrupt u.s." The italics are
our own. What christian like, not to saw
clerical, forbearance We intend to VIC.
late the law, but will not interfere with t!
functions of its Officials, unless they call us
to account for that violation. Rising with
his subject, the author thus acuminoies into
the first person singular -" will both shell.
ter them, conceal them, or speed their fight;
and while under my shelter, or under my
convoy, they shall be to me as my own flesh
ard blood and whatsoever defence would
put forth for my own children, that shall
these poor, despiscd and persccutcd crea
lures have in my house or upon the road"
a fair warning for u. S. Officers, surely !
The Independents planet must have been in
close conjunction with the lurid Mars.
Now, we will not yield to Mr.. II. w. Bee,
cher in earnest exertions for the welfare of
the Slave, so long as the Reverend gentle
man remains within tho limits of prudence.
But is not this avowed insubjection to Civil
Law, unbecoming Christian clergyman ?
Is it consistent with peaceable labor for
its early appeal Z"
But we have depressed. We close with
the remarks OF Judge Mclean, to which VIC
have above referred: