The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-09-24
TIL L R EpUBLIC.
speech of B. n. ourtis, Esq.,
DeliueTed at the Constitutional Meeting at FaneI
Hail. Noutmber 90, 1880.

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Deliuered at the Constitutional Meeting at Faneuil
Hall, NoUsmber 90, 1880.
B. X. CURTIS, esq, moved the adoption of
the resolutions; and spoke as follows:
1t is a source of great satisfaction TO me that
| stand here and say-not fellow-Whigs or
Democrats, but felLo,o- o-citi=ens-that here can
meet on common ground, in an important emer-
gency, those who have common interest with
me in the country. For understand we have
come here, not to consider particular measures
of government, but to assert that we hare Go
vernment not to determine whether this or
that law be wise or just, but to declare that
there is law, and its duties and power; not to
consult whether this or that course OF policy is
beneficial to our country, but to say that we
yet haze country, and intend to keep IT sale.
These are the objects for which understand
we have, as American citizens, here met, and,
for my own part, | cannot think we have come
together too soon.
There is a very excited state of the public mind
all over the country. 1t grows out OF subject Of
the last Importance, 80 connected with the inter
ests and sentiments and passions of our country
men, as to make it difficult for the wisest and
coolest either side to restrain themselves within
the limits of prudence and moderation. Many
good among us, with very tender con-
sciences but not very sound practical judgments,
apparently not at all aware of the direction IN
which they are moving. or of the results to which
they tending, believing themselves to be rs
harmless doves, and feeling, no doubt, quite
sure they wise serpents, have plunged
into this contest. Others, who love excitement
notoriety, or influence and power, or who are
smarting under disappointment, have found here
a new field of promise. Others still, whose daily
10, fhax
of strife, have rushed hither into quarrel and
brought with them temper and feelings which have
been Justly characterized as I" malignant philan-
thropy.' While influencing more or less all these
and thousands of others, who have suffered them
selves to be led into this excitement, and lending
certain dignity and power even TO the bad pas
sons which enlisted, is that deep and ineradi-
cable love of human liberty, which beats in every
throb of every heart of the true sons of New Eng
land.
And when we add to all this that the people of
other parts Of country, having opposite inter
eats and passions, WHO'LL believe, have never been
remarkable for letting that excellent virtue called
moderation be known unto all men, have, upon
this subject, used language and manifested feelings
and done acts which am wise and good men
everywhere must deeply regret, and that these
things have produced their natural consequences
deeply we may be concerned, at the existing state
OF things.
In my humble judgment, it is state Of things
calling for the sober and careful consideration OF
good citizens of all parties in the State and for the
public expression of well-considered temperate,
but fixed opinion thereon.
In times of public danger it the usage of our
fathers to come together in this hall, TO embody
and express the public sentiment OF this people
concerning their important affairs.
Ia not this occasion in which wo may we'll i'm
itate their example?
There has been heard within these walls, ad-
dressed to public meeting and received with ap-
probation by that meeting, the declaration that
article OF the Constitution of the United States shall
not be executed, iato or no lGo. gentleman of
icred resolve, which passed at public meeting
here, that, CONSTITUTION no Constitution, law or
no law, will not allow fugitive slave to be
taken from Massachusetts," Here and elsewhere
have been publicly uttered exhortations to violent
resistance to law, and assurances OF aid and sue
cor in maintaining such resistance. The chair
man of public meeting declared here that "the
law will be resisted, and if the fugitive ressts and
if he say the slave-hunter, or even the marshal
and if he therefore be brought before jury of
Massachusetts men, that jury will not convict him"
Here and elsewhere has been promulgated the idea,
that it is fit and proper for strangers coming from
abroad on TO soil, to put themselves upon their
natural rights viewed according to their own human
light and, by and resist unto blood the
execution Of the law ofthe Commonwealth. Ispeak
not any law Of Congress but of the Constitution the
supreme law of the land The chairman of pub
lie meeting here has ventured to assure such per-
sons that Judges and Jurors will violate their oaths
to protect them from punishment, and as If there
should be nothing wanting to exhibit the madness
which has possessed mems minds, murder and per-
Jury have been erected into virtues, and in this
city preached from the sacred desk. | must not
be suspected Of exaggerating in the least degree.
read, therefore, the following passage from
mon preached and published in this city:
"Let me suppose case which may happen here,
and before long. A woman flies from South Caro-
lima to Massachusetts to escape from bondage.
Mr.. Greatheart aids in her escape, harbors and
conceals her, and is brought TO trial for it, The
punishment is fine of one thousand dollars and
imprisonment for six months. / am drawn to
serve as juror and pass upon this offence. may
refuse to and be punished for that, leaving
men with no scruples to take my place, or may
take the Jurors oath to give verdict according TO
the law and the testimony. The law is plain, let
suppose, and the testimony conclusive. Great
heart himself confesses that he did the deed alleged,
saving one ready to perish. The judge charges
that If the jurors satisfied of that fact then they
must return that he is guilty. This is nice mat
ter. Here are two questions. The one put to me
in my official capacity as juror, is this Did
Greathcart aid the woman" The other put TO me
in my natural character as man, is this: Will
you help to punish Greatheart with fine and i'm
prsonment for helping woman to obtain her
alienable righsf III have extinguished my man.
hood by my jurors oath, then shall do my official
business and find Greatheart guilty, and shall
to be true man; but il | value my man.
hood | shall answer after my natural duty to love
n and not hate him, to do him justice, not in
justice, to allow him the natural rights he has not
alienated, and shall say, not guilty Then men
will call me foresworn and liar, but think hu
man nature will justify the verdict.
"The man who attacks me to reduce me to slave
ry, in that moment of attack aenates his right to
life, and if the fugitive, and could escape in
other way, would kill him with as little com
junction as l would drive a mosquito from my
face: "-A Sermon Of Conscience, by Req Theodore
Parker.
should like to ask the reverend preacher, when
he goes into court and holds up his hand and calls
on his Maker to attest the sincerity of his TO
render true verdict according to the law and the
evidence, whether he does that n man, or in
some other capacty' And should also like to ask
him in what capacity he would expect TO receive the
punishment which would await him, here and here
after, If he were to do what he recommends TO
others?
Is it not time that they who love their country
and respect the laws should come together and 30
bery ponder these thingel
II a case exists which deInandsa breach of fun
damental law Of the Government, and iustifies
armed resistance by individuals, il s case for re
volution, and it is time we knew anoracted on it.