The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-03-26
Gle Alio>Ieburp Register.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 90, 1851
Fugitive Slaves, and Resistance to Law
Charge of Judge Sprague.

Morris, and others, arrested on the charge
Of aiding in the rescue oil the fugitive slave
Shadrach, arc held 10 appear fer trial. The
address of Judge SPRAGUE 10 the Grand
Jury, on thi, occasion, is able, clear, and pa,
riotic,and throws much light on the duties OF
cit zcns, in relation to laws they cannot full,
approve After defining what kinds of ro
sistance amount to treason, and excluding
the sudden outbreak of mob" from this
class of offences, the learned judge proceeds
to point out and explain the several statutes
of 1890, 1881, and 1850, relating to inter
ference with United States officers in the
execution and administrator of the laws.
He then continues;
have thus, as proposed, called your al
tention TO certain nets of Congress and pro-
visions Of the Constitution They are the
law OF the land, and it is our most solemn
duty faithfully 10 execute them. In the words
of the oath which you have ust taken, you
arc TO do this " without fear, favor, affection
or hope of reward, presenting things tru-
ly as they come TO your knowledge accord
ing to the best of your understanding"
Here nigh, close; but as great efforts
have been made to convince the public that
The recent law cannot be enforced with
good conscience but may be conscicntiously
resisted and an impression may have been
made on some of YOUR number, thus present
inc an obstacle TO the discharge of a plain
LEGAL duty, deem il proper 10 Advert briefly
TO the moral aspects of the subject.
In this mart of the country, the convictions
of our understanding our moral sentiments,
and our religious opinions are adverse TO the
institution Of Slavery. Hence some are
ready 10 conclude, in the first place, that the
provision of the C constitution for DELIVERING
up fugitive slaves must be morally wronc
and. in the next place, that laws mo :,
carry il into effect are to be lisoh..voJ nnd
resisted.
Neither of these nrono .;,;o,s lcc;,;,,,,ol,
follow. from " PREMISES
As to the e ct rho S,o,os without III,
Constitution would no IN e,,h otber tnrc;,,,
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Saom;,I; To- 10 rnrsi '"' In Any ' mus INA
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ar of human legislation IN establish snch Law
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