Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-10-04
Gov. Johnston on the Fugitive Law.

The Atheism of our politicians is uneqni-
vocally stated by Governor Johnston in his
recent Philadelphia Speech. We subjoin
an extract. The Pittsburgh Gazette aud
other papers, which are terribly shocked nj
the Atheistic Letters of Marnnau and At
kinson, have high commentators for this
practical denial of the supremacy aud good
ness of the Deity. This substitution of the
slave.hunting Law, instead of the Divine
Law, meets their entire appreciation. This
Law is the Deity from whom 'they expect 10
receive political success. Aud for that they
are ready to do homage to Jehovah, Baal or
Luciier, as the case may require:
We allege that the Compromise measures
of the last Congress are to he maintained in
good faith, while they remain the laws of the
land. Disobedlenco to the law is u revolu-
ton aguinst the Government. (Great APP
plause.) We claim to be the friends of the
Constitution aud we are perfectly willing ut
all times, aud under all circumstances, to
carry the constitutional demands into effect
| We find, marked broad aud plain OH the
Constitution, provision in relation TO the
VI lbSuiNNo HOlll WV
find il in the instrument which has protected
us so long, and given such strength and glory
to our country. We find il placed there by
those who framed the Constitution, and we
have pledged ourselves to carry it out. We
feel not only bound as citizens TO maintain
the Constitution, but beyond that obligation
there are interests deeply to he affected by
its observance. We feel that we have u con-
science aud an oath which binds muny of us
| to obedience.
Congress has passed certain measures,
which have been called Adjustment mea-
sures. What are they? The admission of
California, the settlement of the boundary
between New Mexico aud Texas, and the
payment of Il certain sum TO the latter; the
| formation of territorial governments for Utah
aud New Mexico, and the abolition of the
slave trade in the District of Columbia. Is
there man in Pennsylvania among the
| Wing Party, or the Native Party, that is in
favor of nltering any OF these laws now p
They belong to the past-they are res GGu-
dicdtR. They have been passed upon aud
settled. Ia obedience to the provisions OF
the Constitution, law has been adopted by
the National Congress for the rendition OF
fugitives from labor. That law, in my iudg-
ment, is, like all other laws similarly enacted.
While it remains the law, it demands our
obedience, and must he observed. This is
no new declaration, made TO you now OH the
eve of an election, but it is my deliberate
opinion, and will be found in my annual
message, at the opening of the last session
of the Legislature. Whether that law is as
perfect as you might make statute to carry
out the Constitutional provision, is. another
and very different question. hold that il
a better law-one better calculated to sub
serve the great purposes for which it was
enncted-can be framed, that better law
ought TO be passed. (Applause.)
! hold that 1t is not only the right, hut that
it is the duty Of every citizen, to investigate
the actions of their public servants and to ex-
anime the laws. II those laws can be amen
ded let amendment he asked for. say that
this is n republican doctrine that never has
been disputed, except by those who would
seal forever the lips of the people from an
expression of their opinions on tho conduct
OF their representatives. While YOU are pri-
vieged TO ask in good faith for the alteration
OF any law passed by the State or national
government, you are bound TO refrain from
agitation for the purpose of agitation only.
(Applausc.) That can produce no good re-
suit. say TO you, as have said in all other
parts ofthe State, that to agitate the repeal
Of law merely for the sake of agitation, is
strongly to be reprehended. Applause. y
Let us examine all, looking to better results,
but not with view TO excite discussion and
dlscord. i claim no exemption from error.
II have erred, think am erring on the
old republican side of the question. Zap
plause Let us remember that both the ma