Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-12-23
Fot the Portage Sentinel.
Anti-Fugitive Law Meeting held In
ROOlst0 wa. T3t'. '.-'.

! Fat the Portage Sentinel
Anti-Fugitive Law Meeting held In
| ROOtst0wn. "'. ~
/ PURSUANT to previous appointment, III,
citizens Of, Rooslown met ut the schoo
house on the evening Of Dec. 9th. AMI Or
ganized by calling Mr.. Jumes s. Austin Il
the chair, and appointing +. w. Brown
ing secretary. After which a commi,te,
on resolutions was appointed, consisting o
the following gentlemen: T. W. Browning
Rev. Mr.. Hurd and Ransom Clark.
The meeting was then addressed by T
W. Browning, after which "a. the call o
The meeling.) various other gentlemen
made remarks in opposition TO this infa
nous enactment Of Congress.
There was but one feeling manifested
and but one sentiment uttered-that of un
qualified disnpproba'ion Of this law (if i
may be called such) and fixed determine
lion to oppose in all laudable ways. the exc
eution of this law in our community.
The committee on resolu.iotS reported
the following preamble and resolu,ions:-
Whereas, Congress did at its last session,
pass bill denomina.ed a Fugitive slave
Bill, which we consider violation oi
every principle Of justice and right, and
in direct contravenlion Of the law OF
God-therefore
l. Resolved, That rs Christians We do
not consider that this act, is Of any binding
force upon IL.
2. Resoloed, That we acknowledge no
allegiance 10 this act, and that we will not
lend our influence or support, 10 carry out
its provisions. -. .... -..
3. Resolued, Thu, He believe this uct
to be an infraction Of the constitution Of
our Government, first in denying TO tho
fugitive the righ. Of trial by jury; second
by infrac:ing the free exercise Of religion;
third by requiring excessive fines and pen
ailies.
T. Resolued, That we recommend no
other opposition TO said law, than such as
is fitting for Christian citizens and Philan-
to use. We deprecate, under
present eircumstances,a all armed resis:ance,
but as We may bs called under the law,
10 act contrary to the teachings of Gods
word, and our own convictions Of right or
suffer The consequences, tre shall choose the
latter.
5. Resolved, That We hereby express
our heartfelt sympathy with the fleeing
bondman, and pledge him all necessary
confor, and aid as far as we con afford the
same.
G. Reso1ued. Tha, now no less than IN
the time Of the lsraeli'es. there is impera.
live force in the exhorlation or command
10 "deliver the spoiled ou, of the hand OF
The oppressor.
These resolutions called forth some
warm remarks from a number Of gentle
men. but met with no opposition except
The words in the fourth Resolution. ''un-
der present circumstances" j, was urged
that this breathed too much Of the war
spirit. still il was carried by large ma.
Jority.
After the above were adopted. the fol.
lowing was presented by A. W. Seymour,
and adopted. .s. .-e-.
Resolued, That our rights Of action and
our duty Of action, with regard to assisting
fugi,ives. is the same as il our nearest and
dearest connections were the fugitive, and
that our advice TO fugitives should be. to
act as we feel we should have right 10
act, j ue were fugitives ourselves.
Resolred. That the proceedingsof this
meeting. be published in the 6ifferenl pa.
pers published in this County.
JAMES S. AUSTIN, Chairman.
THos. W. BRowNrNe. Secretary.
Rootstown. Dec 9th. 1850.