Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1850-10-05
Opposition to the Fugitive Slave Law.
GREAT MEETING IN WORCESTER

The spacious CITY Hall of Worcester was crowded
last evening almost suocation, by the largest and
most earnest audience that we have ever seen congre-
gated within its walls There were men Of all parties
and of all sects, and of no parties and
White and coored, bond and free, all assembled in
obedience a common sentiment, which stirred with
in them, in response to the call made but few hours
previous for the citizens of Worcester, opposed the
Fugitive Slave Law, and who desired to pre-
the Soil of Massachusetts, sacred to freedom, to
for the adoption Of measures such the crisis de-
mands.
The meeting was called to order by Henry Chamber
i'm ESQ., and motion, Hon. Charles Thurber was
called to the Chair by unanimous vote, and John c.
Wyman chosen Secretary. Upon taking the
Chair Mr.. Thuber thanked the audience for the hon
done him by the unexpected appointment and only
regretted that his abilities preside were not equal to
the Importance othe question which agated the whole
community to such unprecedent extent.
On motion Of Thomas Drew Committee was ap
pointed to prepare resolutions and report the
ing. The Committee was as follows: Thomas Drew
Jonas NJ. Miles, Albert Tolmau Charles j. Davis, and
Henry H. Chamberlin.
On motion Of DIR. Martin; Adolphus Morse, Edwin
Draper and John F. Pond chosen report an ad-
dition of five members of the Committee. They re-
ported the names of Ethan Allen, II. n. Tower, VIM.
M. Bickford, Alyan Wait, and VIM. II. Harris. The
Committee thus constituted, retired to report resolu
tons.
While they were absent, fugitive slave, just arrived
from the land of bondage, gave interesting
of the incidents of his escape, and then gave way fo
the Committee, who reported the following
RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, The Congress of the United States ha
passed law for the capture and delivery of all persons
claimed iugitves from labor upon, the mere oath
affidavit of any person who may charge them with be
ing fugltives from labor and whereas all persons 81
charged not allowed to testify in the case upol
which they charged and are deprived of the sa
cred rights of trial by nry habeas corpus, and appeal
and whereas any person arrested may be taken be
fore any United States Court in any State or Terrific
ryof the United States and deprived of his or her lib
erty in summary manner by any Judge, justice, OIL
commissioner of the United States, and whereas an,
person assisting another escape either before or aite
such form OF trial, or who is known harbor or con
cea any person charged with being fugitive from la
Dor, is liable to fine of $1,000 and six months imprs
ments, thus striking down the safeguards of libert
known TO the Constitution, and whereas the Constm
ton and bill oil Rights of the State of Massachusetts
does not acknowledge any difference in persons befor
the law, but on the contrary guarantees equal right
and equal protectiont the humbest as well as the high
est, therefore
ResoEved That the recent enactment Of Congress is
violation of the Constitution of the United States ant
gross Infringement upon the sovereignty OF the sever
al States, and that we feel under no obligations t
obey it.
Resolved, That law SO repugnant to the spirit o
the Christian Faith, at variance with the principle
OF republIcanism, and so adverse in its operations
every sentiment of justice and humanity is disgrace
to the civilization of the age in which we live dis
honor and stain upon the national character and tina
all such legislation is deserving the and conemp
Of all good men,
Resolved, That the Commandments of God are not T.
be annuledby act Congress, ''That when Jehoval
says thou shalt not deliver unto his the servan
who is escaped from his master unto u.s. and the leg
isators at Washington command us to do other
wise, that we have no difficulty in making up oul
minds, which is the true path of duty and that we pre-
Ter to stand by the authority Of Him who rules the Uni
verse; and brave all consequences, than yield CON
victions oil what is right and just and true to the
threatenngs Of the saye-drvers and women-whippers
Of the South, and their Northern allies
Resolved, That nasmuch the most desperate effort,
are being made to reclaim fugitives from slavery we
ieel called upon by every consideration of duty and
philanthropy to retain them to freedom. and hat 81
God is helper, we will not suffer any person
charged with being fugitive from labor, to be taker
from among u.s. and to this resolve we pledge our lives
our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
Resotved That to protect the sanctty Of our home,
ana f!resldes from the pryng eyes Of "a slaveholdng
nqusltIon and to keep the shackles of slavery from ths
limbs Of our feowcitizens, who have fled from SLAYER,
and taken up their abode among US, we will consider
all Inquiries by strangers relative such fugitives az
prima faca evidence Of intentions to kdnap, and will
use all righteous means to compel them 70 depart from
among us.
Resoeted, That to maintain the integrity Of our
state laws, which this fugitive slave bill tlamples
under foot, we deem organized action Indispensable,
and that until, by the force Of public sentiment, Con-
grcss shall have granted its unconditional repeal vig
lance Committee Of forty shall be chosen, whose du-
~ shall be, by all lawful means to carry out the spirit
OF the foregoing resolutions, and that they shall report
at future meeting some plan Of concerted action, By
which the soil Of Worcester shall be protected from Tie
disgrace and shame Of becoming hunting ground for
slaves .tISt 9KlIfYf a4af
Resolved, That we declare to the aders and abeers