Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-01-16

From the Vermont Autograph aud Remarker for Jan.
On the Alledged Duty of Aoquies-
cence and Obedience to Enacted
Law.
The arrogant and exacng tone Of the 5dyo
Gates of the Fugitive Slave Law, in enjonng
and commanding unqualified obedience thereto,
impes us to say few words on the subject OF
obeyng law in general. We contend that rea-
son. Justice, and respect to our own conscientious
convictions of right, demand of US that we con
slider and make distinction as to whether law
is founded on the principle of justice, and equit-
able right, and is demanded by the welfare of
society, Or not. ere we feel ourselves bound to
apl rove, sanction, or obey if.
All law ought ID have regard to, and be war
raned by considerations Of the public welfare,
and protection Of public peace, and individual
personal safety. Ii it be repugnant to, and sub
versive OF these ends 1t Is not entitled to respect
or obedience in being carried into effect. To
argue, as the advocates of the fugitive law do,
that we are in duty bound to obey and help car
ry ont this and all other laws that Congress are
pleased to pass whether we approve of it or not,
let it be ever odious, is virtually TO set up the
English tory doctrine of passive obedience and
and non-resstance, in Difference to kngIy pre-
rogatve, in all its anti-republican odousness.
And it ought to be noted and borne IN mind,
that according TO this doctrine If this is true all
those whom Christians and friends ofrcpubIican
liberty have been wont to applaud and euogze,
as defenders ofrght and martyrs for truths sake,
who dared in face oftyranncal law, to maintain
their INTEGRITY, faith and rights such as Daniel,
William Tell, the Waldenses, Scotch Covenant
ers, and the Quakers and early Baptsts of New
England all these, we say, were faCtlOns disor
GAMERS, aud contemners Of law, as also were
the patriots aud heroes of the Revolution, be
cause they did not acquesce in, and submit
quietly to the laws prohibiory, and iniunctve
that warred and conhicted with their convic-
tons Of righ-it is idle to pretend that the law
for the arrest Of fugitive slaves is called for or
required by the interests OF the common good
no such thng--it is the mere offspring of South
ern lnsolence and spite AMI ought NJ more to
have been passed. nor to be obeyed and carried
into effect, than a requIsiton from Southern
bully 10 seize and bring Northern man to Vlr-
GINA to fight duel with him We care not for
the authority quoted from the Constitution in
favor of this law. Congress has no right nor
business to compel us. Southern slavocracy
has no right or reason to expect that we people
of the North, who delcs slavery, are going 10
aid and assist in catching and returning to sla-
very, those who may be claimed as runaway
slaves. They are not morally bound to do it,
and Gu ht not to do it.
To conclude with telling the truth of the
matter. the law never would never have receiv.
ed Northern mans vote, il would not be de-
Tended by any Northern editor, wing Or loco, il
it were not for the cowardly, craven, abject prin-
ciple Of sefinterest which moves men to curry
favor with Southern men, so they may support a
Presidential candidate and no Office under
him. piece ofickspttIesm to which we, as q
whig, will never descend.