Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-11-28

must stand by the constitution of the Union,
with all its compromises, or we must abolish
it, and resolve each state back intu its urigi.
nal elements. Ii is therefore, a question Of
Union or disunion. We cannot expect our
brethren Of other States to remain faithful 10
the compact aud permit MS to be fathless.-
We are prepared, therefore, to execute faith
fully and honestly the compact our fathers
have made for US. The Divine law has been
appealed 10 as authority for disregarding our
most sacred duties TO society. The city coun-
Gil have appealed TO il as an excuse for null
lifying the fugitive law, and committee i'm
bodied the same principle in ,heirresolutions
at the meeting held in this hail last night, as
applicable 10th TO the constitution and laws.
The general proposition that there is law
paramount to all human enactments-the law
oil the Supreme Ruler of The UNIVERSE
trust no Christian or civilized people are pre-
pared TO question, much less deny. We
should all recognize, respect, and revere the
Divine law.
Mr.. Douglas exposed and condemned in
strong terms the doctrine that the divine law
was To be used as a pattern for dlsobedleCcr
10 the laws of the land. lie believed there
was law paramount 10 all human enaci-
ments, which il was the duty of every man
To recognise, respect and revere but that law
taught obedience, not resistance to the con
sIituied authorizes. lie believed the consti-
| tuition OF the United States, and all laws nee
essary TO carry il into effect, were in harmo-
ny with the divine law, and that a man per-
formed his moral and religious duties by be-
ing faithful 10 society. 10 his country, 10 the
laws and his oath-not by violating all that
was sacred, in pretended obedience TO high
er law Than the constitution. He also ex-
| planned the circumstances which rendered
his absence unavoidable when the vote was
taken on the fugitive bill in the Senate. He
wished to avoid no responsibility on account
of that absence, AMI therefore desired it dis.
Iincty understood that he should have voted
for the bill If lie could have been present
| He referred 10 several of our most promi-
nent and respected citizens BY name, as per.
sonaiiy cognIzant of the fact That he was anx.
Ious AT that time to give that vote. He be-
lieved The passage of that or some other elIi-
cient law solemn duty, imperatively deman-
ded by the constitution.
In conclusion, MIR. ID. made an earnest ap-
peal 10 cur citizens 10 rally as one man TO
the defence OF the constitution and laws, and
above all things, and under all circumstance
es. to put down violence and disorder. bv
maintaining The supremacy of the laws
tie referred to our high character for law and
order heretofore, aud also TO the favorable
position OF our city for commanding The trade
between the North and South through our
canals and railroads, to show that our views
aud principles of action should be broad. lib
eral, and national, calculated 10 encourage
union and harmony, instead Of disunion aud
sectional bitterness. He concluded by re
marking that he considered this question Of
fidelity TO the constitution and the suprema-
cy of the laws as so far paramount to all 9th.
err considerations, that he had prepared some
resolutions 10 cover these points only, which
he would submit TO the meeting, and take
their judgement upon them. If he had con-
suited his own feelings and views only, he
should have embraced in the resolutions a
specific approval OF all tile measures of the
Compromise; but rs the question of rebellion
and resistance 10 The federal government had
been distinctly presented, il has been thought
advisable 10 meet that issue on this occas ion,
distinct and separate from all others
MIR. Douglas then offered the following
resolutions, which were adopted without a
dissenting voice:
'ReS0tred, That il is the sacred duty Of eve.
ny friend OF the Union TO maintain and pre.
serve inviolatc every provision Of our federal
constitution.
'Resolred, That any law enacted by con-
gress in pursuance OF the constitution should
be respected as such by all good and law
abiding citizens, and should be faithfully car
ried INFO effect by the officers charged with
its execution.
'Rcs0lred, That SO long as the constitution
of the United States provides that all persons
held 10 service or labor in one state. escaping
into another state shall be delirered up on the
Claim Of The party 10 whom the service or la
Dor may be due and so long as members of
Congress are-required to take an oath to sup
port The constitution, II is their solemn aud
religious duty 10 pass all laws necessary TO
carry that provision Of the constitution into
effect.
'Resolred, That if we desire TO preserve the
Union, and render our great republic nsepa-
rabe and perpetual, we must perform all our
obligations under the constitution, at the
same time that we call upon our brethren in
other states TO yield implicit obedience TO it.
'Rcsolred, That, as the lives, property, and
safety of ourselves and families depend upon
The observance and protection of the laws,
every effort TO excite any portion of our pop
u'atlon 10 make resistance TO the due execu-
ton of the laws of the land shonId be prompt
ly and emphaIicaly condemned by every
good citizen.
'Resolred, That we will stand or fall bv the
American Union and its constitution, with all
its compromises-wlth its glorious memo.
ries OF the past and precious hopes for the
fuiure.'
The following were offered in addition by
Ii. 5. Morris, and also adopted
'Rcs0lrod, That our senators and represen
tauves 10 the Congress of the United States
are entitled 10 our most profound gratitude
for their exertions in procuring the passage
of several laws. al the late session of cons
gress, calculated TO insure the completion Of
a railroad through the centre of our State,
and TO restore its credit TO that position which
ii is entitled 10 occupy.
'Resoired, That we, the people of Chicago
repudae the resolutions passed by the com
mon council of Chicago upon the subject of
the fugitive slave law passed by congress at
its last session.
accident on the Boston and LolreH Road
On "Wednesday as the quarter past - express
train for Boston had reached the Concord river
Ill