Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-02-08
lnti.Fugiliye Law Meetings.

BEALLsvILLE, Pa, Jan. 81, 1851.
The excitement OH account Of the Fugitive
Law appears to increase very slowly in this vi
cinity. We have held two meetings on the
subject in the ncighborhood, the first two
weeks ago last Seventh day evening, in the
school house in our District. Considerable OPP
position to the law was manifested, but not SUI
licicnt, save with few, to take any decided ac-
ton in relation to it. Our last meeting was at
Centreville on last Seventh day evening. A
goodly number attended, but the object Of their
attendance seemed to be to prevent anything
being done to bring the law into disreputc. A
few milk .and-watcr resolutions, reitcrating
portion of the Declaration of American 1ndc-
pcndencc, and declaring that we could not ae-
tireiy carry out the provisions of the law, were
offered and even passed, but not without oppo-
stion. But when a preamble setting forth
some of the outrages pcrpetratod by the South
upon the people Of the North, with few reso-
lutions expressive Of what was thought by some
to be our duty in relation to those outrages, and
particularly the fugitive law, were introduced,
it seemed as though the watch-dogs OF slavery
had been let loose. Should slavery need any
aid in carrying its purposes into execution, it
has only to call upon Pennsylvania Wings, and
its demands will be instantly obcyed. do not
know that all who advocated the law on that
occasion were Wings, but know that its
strongest advocate was OF that party; and al
80 believe that It is impossible for any person,
Wing or Democrat, to stoop lower than he did
| in his opposition to the advocates of freedom.
| His appeal was to the most degraded OF the an
imal passions. and you may be assured that he
succeeded in rousing them TO action. Some OF
his friends, i have understood, as well as him
self had prepared themselves with something
stronger than water to drink before going to the
meeting, and indeed their actions betrayed it,
But l will copy the resolutions that called forth
SO much indignation from the allies of slave
holders. will, however, omit the first ono
and the preamble, They have reference mere
ly to the outragcs perpctrated upon the persons
and prosperity of the North, and our duty in
relation thereto.
Resolved That all laws that would bind mon
to the commission of crime are null and void,
and of no binding authority.
Resolved, That the Fugitive Slave Law is
the very embodiment of crime, and as such is
not binding on the people of the North.
Resolved, That We will not help to execute
this unjust and tyranical law by aiding the
STAKEHOLDER to reclaim his human cattle, but that
we will assist the flying fugitive to obtain his
| liberty, and thus do unto him as we would have
others do unto us in like circumstances.
This last resolution seemed to be the special
object of attack. As they construed it, 1t was
proposition to resist the law, and any man
that would resist the laws of his country de-
served no better fate than Benedict Arnold =
A few voted in favor of the resolutions; num-
bcr did not vote at all the balance q suppose
more than one half the audicnce) voted against
| them.
had forgotten to say that near the close Of
the meeting, when he knew he would oncoun-
ter no opposition. a young priest came to the
rescue of the law. Well, they may pursue
their cruel and wicked plans little longer, but
the time may come when they will be willing
to aid in removing the burden they have i'm
posed upon the sable sons of Africa, lest in re-
turn it may be placed upon themselves.
CARVER TOMLINSON.