The republic., 1850-11-30


subjects OF legal process to offer violent resistance
TO the officers Of the law, deserve the apprehension
OF an indignant community, and the severest pun
ishment which its laws have provided for their Of
fence; and that have entire confidence that any
combination or attempt to fix such q blot upon the
fair fame OF our State or city, will be promptly re-
buked and punished, by an independent Ond i'm
partial judiciary, and by firm and enlightened
juries.
Resosed. That we will at all times, in all places,
and under oil circumstances, SO far our acts or
influence may extend, sustain the Federal Union,
uphold its Constitution, and enforce the duty Of
obedience to the laws.
b. X. CUaTls. Esq, moved the adoption Of the re-
solutions, and then spoks as follows:
II source of great satisfaction 10 that can
stand here and say-not fellow Wings Demo
crats, but fsI0io citizens. That here can meet
common ground, in an important emergency, those
who have q common interest with me In the coun-
try. For l understand we have como here, not to
consider particular measures Of government but to
assert that we have Government; not to determine
whether this that law be wise just, but to de-
clare that there il law. and its duties and power;
not 70 consult whether this that course of policy
10 beneficial TO our country, but to say that we yet
have country, and intend to keep it safe. These
are the objects for which understand we have, as
American citizens, here met, and for my own part,
cannot think we have come together TOO soon.
There is very excited state Of the public mind
all over the country Hgrows out of subject Of
the last Importance connected with the interests
and sentiments and passions of our countrymen, IA
either side, to restrain themselves within the linn
Its Of prudence and moderation. Many good men
among Us, with very tender conscicnces, but not
very sound practical Judgment apparently not at
ing, of the results to which they tending be-
leving themselves to be as harmless as doves, and
feeling, no doubt, quite sure they are az wise as
serpents, have plunged into this contest. Others,
who love excitement or notoriety, influence and
power, or who are smarting under disappointment,
have found here new field of promise. Others
daily drink is the waters Of strife have rushed
into quarrel, and brought with them such temper
and feelings as have been justly characterized as
malignant philanthropy" While influencing
have suffered themselves to be led into this excite
ment and lending a certain dignity and power
to the bad passions which arc enlisted, is that
deep and incrsdicable love of human liberty which
beats in every hrob of every heart of the true sons
of New England.
And when we add to all this, that the people Of
other parts of country having opposite interests
and passions, and who, believe, have never been
remarkable for letting that excellent virtue called
moderation be known unto all men, have upon this
subject used language, and manifested feelings, and
done acts which, am sure, wise and good men
every where must deeply regret. and that these
things have produced their natural consequences
here, we may not be greatly surprised, however
deeply we may be concerned, at the existing state
Of things.
In my humble judgment it is state OF things
calling for the sober and careful consideration Of
good citizens of all parties in the State, and for the
public expression OF well lconsdcred, temperate,
but fixed opinion thereon.
In times of public danger il the usage of our
fathers to together in this hall to cmbody and
express the public sentiment of this people concern
ing their important affairs.
Is not this an occasion in which We may well imi-
tate their example?
There has been heard within these walls, ad-
dressed to public meeting, and received with aP-
probation by that meeting the declaration that an
article Of the Constitution of the United States shall
not be executed Ld,c la,D. gentleman offered
a resolve, which was passed at public meeting in
this city, that "COnstituton Constitution, la
or Law, will not allow n fugitive slave TO be
1 taken from Massachusetts" Here and elsewhere
have been publicly uttered xhortations to vioentre
sisance to law, and assurances Of aid and succor in
maintaining such resistance. The chairman Of pub
lie meeting declared here that the law will be resist
ed and If the fugitive resists, and he ssy the slave
hunter, the marshal, and If he therefore be
brought before jury Of Massachusetts, men, that
Jury will not convict him." Here and elsewhere has
been promulgated the idea that il is tit and proper
for strangers, coming from abroad on TO our soil,
to put themselves upon their natural rights, viewed
according to their own human light, and by that
light and resist unto blood the execution Of the
| Law Of the Commonwealth. Ispeak not of any law
of Congress, but Of the Constitution, the supreme
| law of the land. The chairman OF public meeting
here has venturcd TO such persons that judges
and jurors will violate their oaths TO protect them
from punishment, and, ifthere should be nothing
| wanting to exhibit the madness which has pos
scssed mems minds, murder and perjury have been
erected into virtues and in this city preached from
| the sacred desk. must not be suspected Of eng
gcrating in the least degree. read, therefore,
the following passage from . sermon preached and
| published in this city: 8
"Let me suppose a which may happen here
and before long. woman flies from South Caro-
lima 10 Massachusetts to escape from bondage
Mr.. Grcatheart aids her in her escape, harbors and
conccals her, and 10 brought to trial for IT, The
punishment 10 a fine of thousand dollars and
| imprisonment for six months. am drawn to serve
itlYo nd ma an mo L may re
fuse TO serve and be punished for that leaving mcr
with no scruples TO take my place; or may take
the jurors oath TO give verdict according TO the
law and the testimony. The law is piain, let vi
suppose, and the testimony conclusive. Greathear
himself confesscs that be did the deed alleged
| ing one ready TO perish. The judge charges ths
| IL the jurors satisfied Of that fact, then they
must return that he is guilty. This Is nice mat
ter. Here arc two questions. The one, put 10 m'
in my official capacity as juror, this: Did Great
heart aid the woman The other, put TO me in my
natural character as man, is this: viii you help
| punish Grcathcart with fine and imprisonment for
helping a woman to obtain her unaenabie rigAtsS
II ! have extingushed my manhood by my jurors
oath, then will do my official business and hnc
Greatheart guilty, and shall seem to be a tru,
| man; but, IL ] value my manhood, shall answer
after my natural duty TO love man and not hat'
bn, to do him justice, not injustice, TO allow hun
the natural rights be has not alienated, and shal
| say, mot guilty Then men will call me forsworr
and liar; but think human nature will JustifJ
the verdict.
Inc IMAM WDo htthCks Tic 10 rcuuCc IbS 10 elhNc
ry, in that moment of attack alienatcs his right
life, and IL the fugitive, and could escape il
no other way, would kin him with A. little com
junction as 1 would drive mosquito from my face
a Sermon Of Cbnsciencs, by Rec. Theodore Parker
should like TO ask the reverend preacher, wher
he goes into court, and holds up his hand. and call
on bs Maker 10 attest the sincerity Of his vow 4
render q true verdict according TO the law and th'
evidence, whether nc does that as man. or in son'
other capacty' ,.-
Ia it not time that they who love their country
and respect the laws, should come together and 30
bery ponder thcee thingp'
Hacssc exists which demands a breach OF fun
damental law Of the Government, and justihc
armed resistance by individuals, il is a case TO
revolution, and IL IL time we knew and acted on IL
If there 10 not such csse, then this language
and the feelings that prompt II, and the conduc
which accompanies IL. disgrace our community
and endsngcr its safety and peace, and should re
ceive the rebukc Of every good citizeu. There i
no middle ground between these two alternatives
II there ia a for forciblc resistance of law
for refusal to execute article In the compac
which constitutes the Govsrnment--for viilifyinl
J this compact by names which should be unvil
ling TO repcst-for stirring up the angry passion
of men, and srrsying one part OF The countr,