The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-04-24
DUTIES MEN OWE TO CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
CONTINUED

CONTINUED
To The Editor Ofthe National Era:
Now, we purpose to prove that both Tesla
ments are opposed to Slavery per Sc; and that in
no age of the world did "the Supreme Law
giver" sanction Slavery, and that it was opposed
by our Lord and his Apostles and, lastly that
obedience to the Fugitive Slave Law is disobedi-
ence TO Christ
l. Is Slavery per Sc contrary to both Tesla
ments BY Slavery PER Sc, we must mean Slavery
as it exists in the slaveholding States of these
United States for, if not there, there is no Fu-
gitive Slave Law beyond the United States. Our
Government did not contemplate any magma
tive system of Slavery, for the sustentation of
which it was necessary to lay under contribution
not only the purse Of the nation but the services
of every citizen Of the United States, and heavy
penalties for disobedience But if this be thought
to be holding our d. ID. too hard up to the mark,
we will say that both Testaments are opposed to
any law which recognises chattel-right Of prop
erty in man.
That God has endowed man with body and
soul, will not he denied Nor will it DO denied
that both Testaments inculcate duties binding
upon man both as q terrestrial and immortal
being, and that he is held accountable for the
faithful discharge of his duty in the various pur-
suits Of human life, both as MORTAL social intel
lectual, moral, and accountable being Now, il it
be found that the elementary principles of Sla-
very per 81 are antagoIistic TO Christianity per
in its elementary principles, IL will be but fair
and legitimate deduction that both Testaments
are at war with Slavery per Sc Ii is saying
which will be found in job xxxv, ll-"He teach
eth us more than the beasts of the earth, and
maketh us wiser than the fowls Of heaven"
These may be held as our cbattel property for,
in their nature and design, they are inferior TO
aal 10
their habitaton, or choose food adapted to their
nature but where instinct serves the brute, man
is to use his reason. And in this light he is held
accountable. lie is commanded to use his me-
chanical powers for the woll-being Of his race,
and the sustenance Of those of his own espe-
cially they of his household and for this purpose
he is commanded "to labor six days, and do all
his work" But he is also regarded as social
being, and his social nature secretly impes him
in the pursuit of his daily toll. He is regarded
as associated with his species and both Tesla
ments give him direction how he is 70 behave as q
parent, member of the Church of God, and
member Of the civil associations. God has ap.
pointed marriage as the mother Of the Word, the
nursery Of the Church, the school of happiness
and virtue, and has said il is not good that man
should be alone. The family compact is guarded
from every intruder, the husband Is established
the head Of his own family, and upon the wife Is
enjoined obedience in the Lord, Parents are
commanded to train up their childen "in the nur-
ture and admonition of the Lord F" and children
to "honor their father and mother, which is the
first commandment with promise !" and, in short
guards every department Of his social nature in
the most unequivocal manner
Nor are the laws Of God less imperative which
regulate mans conduct as a member Of the church
IF God He withholds the law-making power
rom the Church. His code OF laws already
made are not only sufficient, but absolute and un.