Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-01-09
For The Freeman,
A New Argument against the
Slave Law.

| h041NC Law
We wish every christian, and every christian
minister in the land, could read the following
new pointed, and for aught we can see, concIu-
sive argument Of our abb, octogenarian cores
pondent; who, with armor still as strong and
bright as ever, yet continues in the field, man
fully doing battle Tor freedom-ED
Mr.. EDIToR:
| The powers of Congress are limited, and they
have no right in any case to assume what Is not
granted. And if they will do it for party rur-
poses, or any other purpose, they violate their
oath Of office, and usnrp the power reserved to
the States or the people.
| congress shall make no law respecting an es-
tabishnent of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof -.4rticie Sd of amendments
1t is clear case, that an amendment in any
document, law, or Constitution, ouer rides and
annuls everything in the document which is in
consistent with the amendment. Congress is
then expressly forbidden to do anything, to pass
any law, or make any regulation, which prohb
its NE from exercising my religion freely, with
out let or hindrance. And they have bound
themselves by oath not to do it.
1t is "A part of nv religion to have compassion
on the Dor; to feed, clothe, and comfort them
IN their affections. And our Lord has SAID, that
he will at the great dav, when wiCked rulers shalt
be of little account approve of such conduct
lnasmuch as We did 1t unto the least of my
brethren, We did it unto me-"
1t is, then. an essential part of true religion tc
REMINDER the poor. And do not see how a mar
can be follower of Christ, who dnes no, min.
lister to the wants of the poor. Anyhow, thn
charity enters into the religion Of many goot
men and women in our land. And it would b,
well, if it did enter more fully into the religion
of all denominations
If Congress, then, for any reason, or uude
any pretencr, enact a law which does prohibi
the free and unresrained exercise of this brancI
of religion, they violate the express words oftht
Constitution, break their oath of office, nfrlng,
upon religious liberty, and assume power
which belongs not to man. Such an act the,
have no authority to pass, any more than to es
tabsh Mohammedanism. And if they do it
the law is null and void, and no person is urde
a ny moral or civil obligation to obey such Law
Here, them plant myself, and PROTEST a
gainst the Fugitive Stare Lac passed by Congress,
for the purpose Of catching men and women
as unconstitutional and void 1t forbids me tc
exercise my religion freely 1t places arounC
my conscience pains and penalties If dc
what y Lord requires, il delivers me over t.
the slave-catcher, to be stripped of my good.
and cast nto prison. This is deuiiiSh!
But the enactment does more 1t requires me
to aud and assist the Infamous slave hunter in re-
ducing my brother or sister to slavery. 1t in,
vades the sanctuary of my soul, violates the
best feelings of my heat and requires me tc
disregard the voice OF conscience and the will
OF my Lord Could Satan do more?
Such law should not disgrace our Stat.
ute Book. Let ofice-seekers make the trial
if they choose.
The argument is short one. The Constitu-
ton torblds Congress to make any law prohibit
ing the free exercise of religion.
The fugitive slave law does prohibit to thou
sands the free exercise of religion Congress,
then had no right to pass that law. They
must have forgotten the amendment, or they sin
ned with their eyes open. But the act is done,
and Posterity will Judge.
KIAH BAILEY.
Hardwlck, VT, Dec. 81, 1850.