The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-09-12
THE NATIONAL ERA.
WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 70, 1850.
THE POSITION OF THE NATIONAL ERA.

On the eve Of our departure from Washington,
We stated, in an editorial article our views re-
specting the policy of abducting slaves--views
held by us from the time we became an advocate
Of the Anti-Slavery Cause That article was in
tended as a complete definition of our position,
and final disposition, so far as we were con-
cerned of the subject of which it treated. Our
opinions we knew, differed from those entertained
by some Anti Slavery men, but as our object was
simply to present a clear statement of the rule Of
our wv vo..S,,v, ..v, ~ .,,.~-.-4 Aezs>'vzl -
solved with p2f feeling of disrespect towards any
r>sSs, 80 ,.,>,,y.- --.s-~s4.~> 1870
1t was, therefore, with profound regret that we
observed in the Era of the 29lh ult, an article in
reply to certain animadversiOns Of the Free Pes
bysrQa, especially as it was calculated, though
not designed, to place the Era in false position.
Courtesy to the friends who furnish editorial
matter during my absence forbids all csptious OBJ
jectons but a regard for Truth constrans me to
say that, with my whole heart soul, mind and
strength repudiate the principle embodied in
the following sentences Of the article referred to:
"Hen the CITIZEN "is therefore morally,
cially, and politically bound to obey the laws Of
Ihe ianu, WneIncr ne DelleNes lneul 10 De JUST OF
not. He is further bound to obey what he be-
lieves to be unjust laws, because he is privileged
to demonstrate, petition, and vote against their
continuance"
The proposition, stripped Of extraneous mat
ter, and in its painest form, is this II the law
of the State in which live, requires me to do an
NHjust act AvN mozslly hound to do it a proPo-
sition which could not assent TO- without deny
ing the existence of a CO. n t4 sq2romary, of
his authority
To me Human Law has no sanctity, no author
ity. any further than it is a transcript Of, or in
harmony with, the Higher Law,o the Divine
Law, the Law Of Nature, the Law Of Him who
has created all things, and has paramount author
ity over all things If it receive my reverence
and obedience it is because it is jDt and trDe, and
has therefore the sanction of Him to whom alone
| acknowledge absolute allegiance, and not be-
cause of the existence Of Human Penalties or re-
wards. recognise sanctity, no authority in
sny Human Law which is in conflict with the
Divine Law. If it requires me to do moral
wrong, it requires what the Universe has no right
to require-to commit an act of rebellion against
the Supreme Lawgiver. will not do that wrong
but will disobey the Law and MbmH 10 the peHaLy. |
DisoJedieace is demanded by my allegiance to JUS
tice and Truth; submission by my respect for
Peace and Order.
shall not now argue those positions it is suf
fcient for me to state them concisely and plainly |
SO that there may be no Misrepresentation Of the
ethical principles that control the columns Of tho |
National Era.
My views of the policy of abducting slaves |
were fully presented in the Era of the 9Th ult !
wish to add nothing to them, subtract nothing
from them, qualify them in no respect.
@. BAILEY.
-, M. cat I lSLO