The Madisonian., 1850-05-09
THE NORTHERN RELIGIOUS
PRESS.

Under this head the New York Ex>
press gives the sentiments of the lead
inc religious Journals Of the North on
the slavery question. We have de
clareJ that the opinions uttered by
Mr.. Seward in his recent spec ch are
mme nearly those Of the people 0fthe
Eastern States than anythin 6 that Mr..
Webster has gwen expression to. The
TRUTHS, Wehster's speech was an ef'
fort to turn back an irresistible ours
rent which he sees ver3 plainly IL gath
-efing volume anl strength daily. Se>
ward, IN the other hand, sees the cur>
rent also. but, instead Of d esiring 10
to turn it back. he is resolved tU hurry
it on AMI ride IN it into any profitable
port which may come across his path
Webster is behind the sentiment Of his
constituents, and is not willing TO &C
knnwIedge that it is running from him.
Seward is little before it, but he sees
with alIIhe sagacity Of the keenest OF
,Iemagdgnes that it is coming upto him
quue rapidly enough fol his purposes
The religious press of the North
proves this. Religion is now invoked
! to render violation Of constitutional
law a matter uf conscience, Who can
! doubt what it will come to2 But we
give below few Ufthe quotations from
these papers.
sa The "Nsw York Observer" goes for
obeyins the constitution IN regard to
the surrender Of fngltive slaves, but
says there is mo respectable man,
whose feelings would not revolt at the
thought Of aiding in the capture Of fu'
gilive slaves" and whn has not a deep
sense If degradation ia connection
with this provision in our COnstitu'
tjon," 'aaG ' aa.H
The New York Independent" goes
further, and condemns Clay, WebsteI
and Cass, in lump, maintaining tha
Mr., Webster is no exponent of Massa-
chusetIs oI New England, and it add
that "lhe lave catcher shall not budgs
an inch further than he now dnes in th'
North. Every village will now spurr
the slave catcher, and every yeOmaI
along the valley, will run the slave ant
tripthe shHmeess hunter" The In
idependeu, says that all this will be don,
from fundamental law nf humanity.
The "New York Evangelist" says
our consciepces cannot be bound by an,
! human compact to do that (deliyel Vi
, runaway slaves) which, were il done Il
our children would make life Of N
. worth tous. 's' ' s".
The "Chrissian Register" ( Boston
/ would treat the C0mstltntion in thi
matter asa dead letter. aud draws
Hdistimciion. between moral duty aud 10
gal ubedience. i gf fl
s5 Tue Watchman and Reporter" Uh'
Leading Baptist paper Ol Boston) de-
clafes lhsl 'ever with the alternative
Of disunion' the ''NorIh can sanction
. no cOnsesslOn,
The Puritan Recorder SAYS lha
, man ii the free sls,es feel themseiVe
!. prohibited fran catching slaves by
! Ia W which a,1 mortal canisel aside wit
n impunily." a fsal odt % a5nua
/ rodThe "Cougfa,ionaist" Boston,
charges Mr.. Webster with trucking y
/ S1urhern prejudics aud Southern 10
terest."
) "Zlpn's Herald uses this strong In
} gnage al The orgat fSbciety If Meth
. odist.g ga@aa Y Egus 4s9 gH+1'at 7'i
! m.if Mr. aWeSHer's inadencs III Can
j | gfess sh6ald lead to new federal laws
/ as 10 ihtilrrates, Imposing npnu tli'
4 Ndrth This eigiommaas inquIey.a atii'
: cutseaafl lallilhis Ndrtltsfn feHow-citi
! zeas will follow him although life, an
! the cafses pflhsir children tal rpoI
u his grave. We cmsilergihlls \ pQsIlllp'i sil
. 9fthis subject the InfSl exl ra,rdlm lmilar m (.
Il tln the whole history Of N0nhern states