The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-03-20

bled at the Associate Reformed church, in the
vicinity Of Little York, January 10th, 1881,
Aniel Rodgers was called TO the Chair, and VIM.
Stewart appointed Secretary. The object of the
meeting was stated to be the consideration Of the
Fugitive Slave law passed at the recent ses-
sion Of Congress
A spirited and eloquent address was delivered
by Mr. Simpson, of Oquswka. A petition to Con-
gress praying for the repeal Of the law, was cir
culated and signed, and another to our State Le-
gislature, praying them to instruct our Senators
and request our Representatives in Congress to
use all honorable means for its repeal, and persons
appointed TO circulate further these petitions.
A preamble with resolutions was then dis
cussed and adopted unanimously, with the ex-
ception Of one vote against the eleventh resolu-
ton.
We have room only for few of the resolu-
tons
R.Solned, That IA, by the provisions Of" the Flu
giive Slave law" the question Of personal liberty
in the case of persons claimed as fugtives from
| labor, is determined in a summary manner, on
r parie testimony without the privilege Of appeal,
and before Judge to whom the law offers n bribe
to decide in favor of the claimant and as the said
law, to all practical intents and purposes, sus-
ponds the writ Of hdJe0s corpus, therefore we de-
ncunce il as unjust and tyrannical inconsistent
with free governme0 in general, and with the
! Constitution of the United States in particular.
RsSOIvM, That though we shall admit the right
of Congress under the Constitution, to legislate
for the recovery of fugitive slaves, we hold it most
clear that Congress has no right to legislate for
any object except in accordance with the Consti-
tuition and also in accordance with the common
law both Of which are violated by the law in ques
ton, in the respects above mentioned.
ResOlUsd That system requiring the question
of personal liberty TO be determined in sum-
mary manner, without appeal, and without the
opportunity Of defence can be nothing else than
a system of despotism. None but tyrants need
such law.
Rc,olped. That as the said law renders the frs
colored people liable 10 be claimed as fugitivet
from slavery, by any unprncipled persons, and
consequently removes from them the protection
of law therefore it is subversive of the grea
end of civil Government--the protection Of men
RssO1ted That if a law be tolerated which re
moves the shield of protection from one class Of
our population, we have no security against the
enactment Of laws removing it from other classes
In self-defeDoe, therefore, We seek the repeal Of
this law.
Resolued, That this law ought to be, and We
deRianld that it be, Internationally repealed.
Resolued, That members Of Congress who sup
ported this law, and voted for its passage, are an
faithful guardians Of liberty, and unworthy OF
public confidence.
Resolred, That we consider no man worthy Of
the votes Of freemen for places of trust under our
Government, who does not declare himself oppos-
ed to this law. .,.v..s
RcsOIred, That the editors Of the Monmouth
atlas, O}Uanka Spectator, and National Era, be
requested to publish the above proceedings.
ASTEL RoDGEKs, Chairman.
WILLIAM STEWART, S.ere,ny.