The southern press., 1851-05-14
Mr.. Lewis Tappan then offered the following

sinful, cruel and merciless system that has pre-
vailed in any civilized country, inasmueh as
under the light of the gospel it deprives men,
not only guiltless, but unaccused OF crime, OF
every civil and religious right; denies them legal
compensation for any wrong, however grievous {;
annlhiIates in regard to them the conjugal and
parental relations consigns them at pleasure TO
heathenism; witlholds from them the Bible
and reduces them to the condition of brutes
ReSoired, That it is our right to condemn,
and by lawful means to abolish, sinful instilu.
tons wherever existing; that it is the peculiar
right OF American citizens to express orally, or
through the press, their opinions of the conduct
of their representatives, and of the laws p ssed
by them; and that every atten pit to prevent or
control the free expression of opinion is an out
rage upon the constitutional rights of the cili-
zen and dangerous assault upon the liberties
of the country.
RESOLVED, That we have never proposed to
abolish slavery by any unconstitutional act, nor
to infringe upon the ri.hts of the States; our
doctrine being universal emancipation without
compensation, and our measures, under God,
moral suasion and the ballot box.
Resotred, That we deem the Fugitive slave
bill unconstitutional d inhuman, u disgrace to
the country, an outrage upon civil liberty, deserv-
ing the repr9bation OF every friend o God and
man; and that it should be disobeyed by every
person who is not willing, and does not deserve,
to wear the chain and submit to the lash of South
ern despots.
Resoired, That every man who has taken an
oath TO support the Constitution of the United
States, and who believes the Fugitive slave bill
unconstitutional, is solemnly bound to oppose
this enactment and that in the language of Mr.
In0ti al I. An, r
Congress imposes no obligation on State, or
the people of a State, and may be resisted by an
individual or community
Resolued, That we believe that the late act of
Congress, for the recovery Of fugitive slaves.
makes demands upon individuals to which they
cannot yield obedience without direct violation
of the principles Of love, mercy and justice given
by the 5 lviour to his disciples: and that those
protessed ministers of the Redeemer who teach
obedience 10 this law, are false teachers, and un-
faithful to the high and holy profession they have
assumed
Resolued, That the attempt Of the slave power
to enforce an alleged constitutional provision
with regard to fugitive slaves, while it sets at
naugh: an undisputed constitutional provision
with reference to colored seamen is an apt Illus.
ration OF the mode in which the South under
atinds and fulfil. the compromise" of the Con.
Stilntlon, and the manner in which, aided and
abetted by Northern allies, it has governed the
county for the last alfcentury.
ResoLred, That the audacous attempt made
TO convert the free States into great limiting
ground for fugitive slaves, has inspired an nm.
utterab'e disgust toward the aceursed system of
which u is an oH-shoot AMI awakened deep
sympaths for the bondman, that will, we believe,
insure r'peal Of the bill, the political death
OF its trainers and abettors, and vast increase
of The anti slavery sentiment of { e nation.
Resotred, That Notwithstanding the temporary
triumph of the slave power, in ednseuue ce Of
the trepchery or apostacy ofNurthern politicians,
merchants who sell their principles with their
g obs, and pro-slavery preachers, the people of
the free States have, il il hoped ceased to be
"hewers of wood and drawers of water" 10 the
oligarchy Of The South, or their alss $, the dough.
faces Of the North
ReSoired, That We exult in the election Of the
Hon. Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts, to the
office OF United States senator, as the triumph
OF glorious cause, achieved in the person of one
who will moi, 1t is believed, barter his fair fame
for gold, or ever prove treacherous 10 the prin.
cip.es Of liberty, the cause of the slave, or the
true interests ct the country.
Resd ed, That we are the friends ofthe Union
and the Constitution, and will labor to have them
sustained according 10 the well known intentions
of the patriots Of the revolution; but that we
do not desire their continuance, if perverted to
the destruction OF freedom and religion.
ReS0iU d, That we are the friends of q true re-
publican government, of n free Christianity, and
OF The equal ghts oimen, in opposition TO cotton
W higgery, cotton Democracy, and cotton thco-
logy, and that we welcome to our ranks men Of
every sect and party who in favor of the right
eous civil government, the abolition of cas- e, the
downfall OF oppression, and the supremacy of
the Divine law
Resoired That we will not bestow our suff.
rages on any candidate for office who we have
reason TO bel eve would, II elected, exert his in
iluence TO maintain and enforce the Fugitive
slave blll, Cypress the people of color, or refuse
nj any time TO east his vote Tor freedom and
against slavery.
Resulted, That the thanks Of the community
are due to the liberty loving members of Con.
gress and State legislatures, ministers of the
gospel, and conductors Of the press, who have
advocated the Cause of human rights. proclaimed
the law Of the living God. aud been true 10 the
instincts Of humanity, in despite Of the combined
Influence of wealth and power, and the opposi.
ton Of pro-slavery men in Church and State.
Resoired, That we sympaihze with the op.
pressed Of every cline, and especially with those
Of orr own country, and promise them our sue
cor in all times of their distress, according to
the golden rule.
Resoired, That the agitation Of the slavery
question has not ceased, nor will, in our opinion.
cease, until the great stain npon the national
escntcheon is removed, and the higher law has
The ascendancy in the councils Of the nation
Reso'red That we rejoice IN the formation Of
societies Of similar principles, and
wish God speed to every effort TO diffuse infor
nation, snceor TIE distressed, bring about tie
Of the ensavcd, and the removal |
OF prcjndices against the free people Of color,
in way consonant with truth, justice, and Chris
fianiiy.
Resolred That we tender our thanks 90 the
free and ho-pit,ble inhabitants of Canada, for
the succ"r and relief they have so generously
bestowed upon our countrSmen who have fed
from oppression. sought an asylum among them
and u ccd themselves under the protection OF
British law and philanthropy.
Rssolred, That we renewcdly and feryently
the great cause Of human freedom Ia
the care and protection of Almighty God, be.
seeching him 10 inspire al who labor for eman.