The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-11-13
Fugitive Slave Law in Pennsylvania.

AT meeting in Mercer county, Pennsylvania,
at the Court House the following were among
the resolutions adopted: .. % ... ~ p
7. That we will now and increasingly exert
ourselves for its repeal, and never rest satisfied
until We have wiped from the statute book of
our common country this law so revolving TO
humanity. .., ....
8. That although we abhor the law and the
institution, which dictated it, yet we love our
country, and are resolved to perpetuate our
Federal Union, and will ever rally around her
Constitution to defend and upholdit
D. That we urge our Representatives in the
next Legislature to use their influence for the
passage OF resolution, instructing our Sena-
tors and requesting our Representatives in the
next session OF Congress to secure repeal of
this law. NJ 81
Resoired, That the Fugitive slave law, is Of
this impious character it would make blood
hounds offree men, Cor miserable slave catchers,)
it would encourage the vilest traffic that dis
graced any nation under heaven; involving the
violation of all the tenderest sympathies and
all the most endearing relations of human life.
Another:
PUBLIC MEETING.--A meeting of the citizens
OF GAINESVILLE and vicinity, was held in the Free
Presbyterian Church of that village OH Thursday
evening, Oct. 81, to express their sentiments
with regard to the Fugitive bill. Meeting was
organized by appointing f. w. Woods, Chair
man Thomas Stewart, Vice President, and
James Trimble, Secretary. Opened with prayer
by Mr.. Vance. a. .. -a. ...
On motion, Rev. s. A. Mclean, VIM. Fruit,
A G. Hart, and - were appointed
committee on resolutions
During the absence of the Committee, Hon
}. w. Howe, being called on, addressed the
meeting. The following report of the Commit
tee was received, and after some discussion, was
adopted
WHEREAS, it is our duty as citizens to express
our opinions onall matters which pertain essen
TALLY to the welfare of our country and as much
excitement prevails at the present time, in con-
sequence of an act passed by the late Congress
of the United States, respecting the recapture
of Fugitive slaves: We give in regard to the
said act the following declaration of sentiments;
l. That as we ought to obey God rather
than man. we do utterly deny any, and all obi
cation on our part to obey any of the requsi-
tons of the Fugitive slave bill, so called; and
further, that no man can obey such unrighteous
enactments, to teach that it is right for Others to
do so, without acting the part of traitor to God
and to humanity.
2. That there is nothing in the Constitution
OF the United States, or of the State of Pennsyl-
vania, that can be fairly so construed as to de-
prive any man of the benefit of habeas corpus or
of the right of trial by jury.
8. That our government being democratic
republic in which the citizens are responsible to
the full extent for acts of their representatives,
we are constrained to make this demonstration
of the popular will in opposition to enactments
so utterly abhorrrent to our feelings
4. That we highly honor those of our Repre-
sentatives who have stood manfully by the cause
ofFreedom, when others of her professed friends,
were shamefully put to fight by the legions of
Slavery or ingloriously led captives by them at
their will.
s. That The honor and interest of country, de-
mand an Immediate repeal of this odious act and
we pledge ourselves that we will not bestow our
suffrages on any man, at any time, who will not
openly declare himself in favor of repeal.
On motion, Resolued, that the above proceed
ings be published in all the papers of Mercer
county.
On notion adjourned