The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1850-10-09
FUGITIVE SLAVES.

w tno course 0i the triSi Uf eUt recently
brought before one ofihs u. States Courts
In Indiana. 10 recover the value of certain
argroes Who had escaped from Kentucky.
and whose arrest had been prevented by
citizens Of indishs. Judge Mclean made
The following remarks. Ills opinions are
IN direct opposition 10 the /. higher law"
doctrine
" No earthly power has right 10 inter.
pnse between mans conscience and HE
Marker. He has . right. an isalienable
and absolute right 10 worship God nc.
eording 70 The dictates Of his own con.
science. For tiiis he aione must answer,
snd he 10 entirely free from all humsn 70.
sifains to drink and acl Cor himself. But
This 10 mol tlie case when his acls affect the
rights Of Others. Society has claim up.
on all ito citizens. General rules have
been adopted. In the form Of laws, far the
protection Of the rights Of persons and
ihings. These laws lie Al tho foundation
ofshe socialcunpart. and their observance
= ssssniixi 10 the maintenance OF ciyilisa-
iion. In these matters. Law, not ronsci.
sncs. constitutes The rule OF action. You
arc sworn to decide this case according 10
the Law and the testimony, And yon be.
Gene unlziihfut 10 the solemn inpinctions
yor have taken upnn yourselves when
You yield to an influence which you call
conscience. thai places you above The law
and testimony. Such 4 rule can apply
only 10 individuals; and when assumed a.
: basis OF action on the rights Of others.
\ 10 utterly destructive Of all law. Whit
may be deemed conscientious aci BY one
individual, may be held criminal by ano.h-
r.. In view Of one the act 10 mrri,orious;
in the Wow Of III, other, |, should be pun.
ished IS crime.
" And each has the samo right. acting
snder the dictates Of his conscience, 10
essry gu, his own. This would overturn
tbs basis of society. We must stand by
tho law. We have sworn TO maintain il. |
D. % exported that lhr citizens Of the free
sia,cs should be opposed TO slavery. Bm
with the abstract principles of slavery We
Rave nothing 10 do. As pdiiricsl ques.
i'urf ti,ers couit he no difference If opin-
in among us on the SUI c.. Blu. our
duty is found in Tho ron I tution of The
Union. a. construed by tic Supreme |
Conr,. The fugitises from labor we are |
hourd. BY The highes. oh 4, ions. to de-
liver Up on claim Of The master being
made; and there is no Stare power which
ran release the slave from he legal Gus.
'ody OF his master. The chief glory and
excellence Of oM institutions CONSIST in
The supremacy Of The laws. We are III.
10 reverence and obey them from
bur earliest Years. And ii is this, con.
aec.ed with faithful administration oflhe
avs, which has given security to persons
and property, throughout the wide ex,en,
VI our country. In this consists. in 4
Eresi degree. the strength Of government.
AM We should he careful NOT 10 weaken
y power. There is enough in the gene.
al aspect Of our affairs if NOT 10 alarm. At
east to adInorish us. Tia, every card
which binds us together should be strength.
med.
|" In regard 10 the ares. Of fuei,ives ,
rom labor. the Law does NOT impose ac. /,
We duties on our citizens generally. They ,
re not prohibited from exercising The OF. /,
mary charities Of life towards The fupi- !
re. To secrete him or TO convey him ,
ON the reach Of his master, or 10 rescue /
i'm when in legal cusiody 10 forbidden
nd for doing this liability is incurred. q
ms giscs 10 no one inst ground Of com. |
liant. Tie 10 only 10 refrain from an ex. .
ress siolsiIon Of the law, which operates |,
The injury Of his neighbor. ls This a i
4rdshipl n, law-ahidinr man can 10 d
'nsltier y. tie cannot claim riph. 10 \
that which The law forbi,Is. wi,hm, !
fixing II The base Of society. If The Law !,
unwise or ImpoIi,ic. let i. be changed :,
the mode prescribed; but, 90 LONG AZ !, :.
mains the lave every good cilizen will r
nforn % i. And every one who ar. !,
himsef against il, and en,leavors bv !;
n ar secret means 10 bring il into con. !,
lpt so that u may hr violated will, impu. :,
!. Is an enemy To The best interests of i,
eoanus.." n