Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1850-10-25
Meeting in opposition to the Fugitive
Slave Law.

| Meeting in opposition to the Fugitive
Slave Law.
According to appointment at previous NEE
ling, second meeting on the subject of the Flu
sitive Slave Law, enacted at the late session of
Congress, was held in the Baptist Church, Fri
day evening, Oct. Is. The officers appointed al
the former meeting present and officiating, vi.
Hon. +. ID. HUGUNlN, Chairman and l. N. Srop.
DAKD, Secretary.
Rev. J. GRTDLEY, from the committee on reso
lutlons, reported preamble and series of resolu-
tons, which af-er discussion and amendment.
were adopted as lollows
We hold these truths to be self-evident. that
all men are created equal; that they ar e en-
lowed with certain unalienabe rights; that ar
mong these are life, liberty, and the pursuit OF
happiness.
We maintain also; that under a Republican
form OF government, all laws originate with the
people, although enacted by their lawfully con-
stltnted representatives; and that whenever such
representatives in the prosecution of their deleea-
ted work, shall transcend the barriers of the con-
stituion, and enact such laws as conflict with its
fundamental principles it becom IS necessary and
right, that the people declare their dsapprobation
OF such laws, and adopt suitable measures for
their annnlment. Wherefore,
Resolred, That the law, commonly called the
Fugitive Slave law" recently passed by the
Congress ofthese United States, is in our iudg-
ment, directly in collision with the Constitution
OF the United States: First inasmuch as that
compact declares, Cart. lst, Sec 9th,) 9Th
privileges of the writ OF Habeas Corpus, shall
not be suspended, unless in cases of rebellion
or invasion the public safety may REQUIRE IT,"
and secondly, inasmuch as the law in question
enacts that the certificates of the commissioner
&c shall be conclusive of the right of the GER
son IN whose favor granted, to remove such fu-
g'tlve to the State or Territory from which he
escaped, and shall prevent all molestation of such
person or persons by any process issued by any
court, Judge, Magistrate or other person whom
soever;" thereby virtually suspending the writ
OF Habeas Corpus, and the right of trial by Jury.
which are fundamental principles, secured by
magma charta; and adopted by almost every
State in the Union.
Kesolued, That this assault upon the great
bulwark OF our liberty, and this direct invasion OF
the fundamental principles of the constitution
are an outrage upon the rights of the people, and
offensive to our sense of justice and propriety
Resotred, That while we are determined to be
law abiding citizens, and stand ready to fulfil all
the requirements ofthe constitution of the United
States, We can never consent TO become slave
hunters tor the South, under law so subyer-
slve OF our dearest rights as freenen, as is the
law in question.
Resolved, That we deem said law, as the re.
suit OF wicked. reckless and inexpedient com
promise with the clamors of Southern slave.
holders and Northern demagogues, and as sucI,
deserves the hearty contempt and appropriate
resistance of every honest citizen in this re-
public.
itesotred, That while we do not seek collision
with the law in question, nor with any of its
ministers, who may degrade themselves so much
as to attempt to execute it we will never submit
to its requirement though it be at the expense of
enduring its penalty
Resolred, That we deeply sympathize, with |
those of our fellow citizens, who are more es- |
pecally designed to be the subject of the opera |
ton of this law and do assure them that we will |
do all in power to protect them from its un- |
righteous grasp, while the law remains in force |
and will use our best endeavors for its speedv err
aston from our Statute Book.
RESOLVED, That we do recommend to our fell |
low citizens and especially to those upon whom
Its operation is most likely to fall to evade and
escape the operation of the law in every practi-
cable way, and if necessary to resort tn the use |
OF every effort in their power to preserve their
right TO life liberty and pursuit of happiness
RESOLVED, That we deem it highly desirable. |
that memorials from every part Of the country |
should be Immediately sent TO Congress, demand |
ing in tones, such as outraged justice will utter
The imned late Repeal of SO unconstitutional and
base law
Reso,red, That the above Resolutions be sign