Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1851-01-02

without fortune
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Extract from DIR. Springs Discourse.
The following is an extract from the Rev.
DR.. Springs Thanksgiving Discourse, de-
livered to his congregation in New York.
To part of its teachings we can give our
cordial assent-and as a whole, ii is wor>
thy of perusal and consideration. The aus
thor is one of the most eminent Giyines OF
our country, and hence whatever eliminates
from his zen on subject of such general
interest and importance as that of which it
treats, will commend itself TO the minds of
all
Of the Fugitive Slave Law, it does not
become me, perhaps, to speak. Men
learned in the law are appointed TO inter-
pref its provisions, and to decide upon its
constitutionality. With the little light
which possess, | am not prepared to
impugn it. Of one thing, however, am
convinced, that on the one hand the con-
stitution secures the rights of the Slave
States, and on the other the preservation
of our Union, and the benefits of intro
ducing new States free from the evil of
domestic slavery. The men who framed
that law have done the best they could
for the master and the slave, and for the
world as our fathers did before them
Far different views from these are enter
tanned, know, on this subject. Some
Of the public newspapers and pamphlets
inform us that this law is to be resisted
VI ct armis, and what is worse, this is
preached by some ministers Of the Cos
pei. From not few pulpits in the land
and in this city, we are told that the ex-
ecutors of the law are to be treated as
assassins, and that if the fugitive commits
murder in resisting it, he would die
martyr if consigned to the gallows. We
can scarce believe our eyes or ears when
we see and hear these things exist. In
what land do we live? By what sort of
men are we surrounded? What spirit
is it which offers these bold counsels p
There is no mistake in its meaning-it is
resistance to the laws of the land-even
to blood. do confess that when read
these things, feel as Moses did when he
fell ON his face before God. Iasked my
self, is this the religion of the Bible-the
teachings of the Apostles-the example
of the Son of God-the christianity OF
the North? And shall our Southern
brethren read this and say. is this the
Justice which we are to look for from
Northern. christians !? Is it any wonder
they advocate the dissolution of the Union,
While fear for the country, look to
God for wisdom to direct us in this crisis.
We trust in the patriotism and piety of
the North to disavow these things. We
say to the South, we are the friends of
the civil law and desire not to interfere
with their domestic Institutions. What
ever reasons we have had for the aboli-
ton of slavery among ourselves, we have
nothing to do with their domestic con-
Germs. We don't mean to disturb them.
To the free colored man we open our
doors and our charity, but we don't
want the fugitive slaves of the South /;
and it is not the least benefit Of the law
that they are so rapidly disappearing
from among us. That men should differ
on the subject of slavery is what might
be expected. but that men should be
found to violate the law, and separate
those whom God has joined together by
common laws and common interests, by
intermarriages and Institutions, sealed, rs
they have been, by the blood Of our faith
ers, can't be accounted for except by the
most bewitching infatuation. Brethren,
we must avoid outrage. We must set a
guard over our passions and our pYeiu-
dices; we must learn how to discuss this
great question of slavery. II we are res
solved to have no friendship with slave
holders--to show them no quarter in
Congress or out of Congress---if we have
made up our minds to disregard the law
and the solemn provisions contained liz
the constitution of our common country.
then we are undermining the liberty we
profess to support. Mark one thing,
that the constitution recognizes the rela>
ton Of master and slave as plainly as Ian
gaage can do it.; and we are solemnly
hound By that compact SO long as we
are part of the Union. We ourselves
have no alternative but 70 abide BY the
constitution, or secede from the Onion
IL is not for the South to scccde: they
abide by the constitution. Is the North
prepared to secede? No, no is ok
claimed by million Of voices, And