The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-11-14
From the Richmond Times.

MAssAcnusETTs.-Mr George T. Davis, the
Wing candidate of the Springfield district, in Il
published letter says:
"My opinions, in regard to the Fugitive slave
law are in accordance with the resolves on that
subject adopted by the late Wing Convention
for this Congressional District Nothing, it
seems clear to me, can be more clear than the
right to freedom ought to be guarded with a
care at least as jealous and as formal as that
which We deem requisite for the legal protection
of property. No law upon this subject can or
ought to be satisfactory to our people, or to
remain upon the statute book, which withholds
from the alleged fugitive the power to have the
questions Of identity and of freedom determined
by jury within the county or State where he
is found"
The resolutions, to which he refers, are the
following:
Resolved, That while we rejoice that the slave
trade will no longer be permitted to disgrace the
Capital of the nation, We deeply regret the right
Of trial by jury, so eloquently claimed by our
representatives. for the colored citizen charged
with the crime of seeking his freedom, should
be withheld from him; and that the constitu-
tional clause under which he is claimed-odious
| in itself-should be rendered still more odious
and detestable by the mode of its enforcement.
Resolved, That while as good citizens we can
the Fugitive slave act, we will give every posi-
be legal aid and countenance to those who may
be arrested under it, in the assertion and main
tenance of their rights.
ReSolUed, That the better to insure the safety
and the rights Of the fugitive, 1t is expedent and
desirable in the opinion Of this convention, that
the Legislature Of the Commonwealth, at its
next session, should pass an act authorizing the
Executive to appoint one or more commissioners
in every county, whose duty it shall be to appear
for any person arrested as fugitive, under this
law, to protect his rights and aid him in estab-
fishing all facts necessary to procure his dis
charge, and directing the payment Of all expenses
incurred by any person so arrested, in establish
ing his rights to Re made from the treasury of
the Commonwealth.
If the South could be assured that all North
ern districts and all Northern candidates for
Congress entertained sentiments such as are
here avowed, the Union would not have an ad-
vocate from Maryland to Texas.
The Methodist Congregation at Wesley Chap
el, and at Lexington in Rockbridge county, have
dissolved their connection with the Baltimore
Conference, which adheres to the Northern Divi-
sion of the Church. In the Lexington congre-
cation, the vote for the separation was 26 to Is.
Revs. J. w. Wolf and w. L. Spottswood, ap-
pointed by the Baltimore Conference, protested
against the proceeding. and Mr. Wolf refused
to receive pay as proposed in the fourth of the
following resolutions which were adopted:
Whereupon Resolved, l. That our connection
with the Baltimore Conference, be now dissolved,
and that we no longer consider ourselves under
the PASTORAL care of ner minister.
2. That we do hereby declare ourselves adher-
ents to the NJ. f. Church South, and that we
will apply to the Bishop at the next session of
the Virginia Annual Conference for a preacher
to take the oversight of this charge.
8. That in the matter we regard ourselves as
acting in accordance with the plan of separation.
4. That it is right and proper that the Rev.
w. L. Spottswood, and J. w. WOLF preachers
of tho Baltimore Conference, now on this circuit,
should receive the disciplinary allowance made
for them this year, and each Of the members
who have or may withdraw from their PASTORAL
oversight should pay before the close of this con-
ference year the sum assessed by the Quarterly
Conference, or leaders, as the case may be, for
their support.