The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-25
The Proclamation.

There is WING journal In Boston which
denounces the proclamation of the PRESIDENT
as unnecessary and uncalled for" So it
might be considered if the escape Of the late
fugitive were casual and unprecedented at
fair, not countenanced and stimulated by infiu-
entail white men, under whose direction the
rescue was effected. But when the act was
the natural consequence Of the advice given
in resolutions deliberately adopted by public
meeting held at Faneuil Hall no longer ago than
the 18th of October, and when portion of the
city press has been from the time Of its passage
bitterly denouncing the Fugitive Slave law. and
abusing the journals which expressed willing
ness to abide by the Compromise and the recon-
mendations of the PREsIDENr's message; and
while the same portion Of the press has been
preaching the higher law and decrying
the 'atrocious bargain" of the Constitution,
we think it was time for the PRESIDENT to
tell these gentlemen emphatically that the laws
of Congress are the laws that he is sworn to ex-
ecute; and that he will execute those laws 'at
all hazards, and to the last extremity"
We annex the resolutions to which we have
referred; resolutions passed at Faneuil Hall,
in the city Of Boston, on the 18th Of October
last, at meeting presided over by CHARLES
FRANCIS ADAMS, the head and front Of the co.
alition which has just placed Mr.. RANTouL in
the Senate of the United States:
"Whereas the recent act of Congress, known
as the Fugitive Slave law, has caused great
anxiety among our fellow-ctizens of color,
driving some of them from their homes, and
leaving others in a state Of doubt and terror,
incompatible with the power Of enjoying in
safety and tranquility their natural rights,
and the blessings of life which are guaranteed
to every individual by the constitution of Mas
sachusetts; and whereas we have assembled
here in Faneuil Hall, at their request, to con-
slider the condition of the fugitive slaves and
other colored persons of this city under said
law, and have deliberated and counselled to-
gether:
Sc Resolved, That our moral sense rev0lts
against the new Fugitive Slave law, believing
it to involve the height of injustice and inhu-
manity, since it violates the golden rule Of
Christianity, of doing unto Others as zoe ,oould
8 haze them do to US, and the command of God
himself uttered from Mount Sinai: Thou
shalt not deliver unto his master the servant
that hath escaped from his master unto thee.'
"ResolDed, That as citizens we denounce
this law as contradictory to the Declaration Of
Independence, as inconsistent with the purpo-
ses Of the Constitution of the United States,
which was ordained TO establish justice and
secure the blessings of liberty. and as in direct
violation of its provisions, because it takes
away the benefit of the habeas corpus-the
right Of the people to be secure in their per-
= sons against unreasonable seizures land de-
prives men of their liberty without due pro-
cess of law.
"Resolped, That we cannot believe that any
citizen can be found in this city OF vicinity so
destitute of love for his country and his race,
and so devoid of all sense of justice, a. to take
part in returning fugitive slave under this
law,
"Resolued, That we individually pledge to
our colored fellow citizens who may be en-
dangered by this law all the aid, cooperation,
and relief which the obligations of each Of US
to the supreme law of God and right impose
upon us; and we accordingly advise the fugi-
tive slaves and other colored inhabitants Of
this city and vicinity to remain with us. We
have no fear that any one will be taken back
to the land of bondage, and we trust that such
as have already fled in fear will return to
I 8 their business and their homes.
"Resolved, That, as we believe this law to
6 be repugnant to the will of a vast majority Of
the people of the United States, their Sena-
tors and Representatives ought to demand its
instant repeal at the next session Of Con-
gress." as
The above resolutions were passed una'li-
s,o,isly by the meeting. The call for the meet
ing was signed by three hundred and forty re-
spectacle citizens. The meeting was called to
order by francis JACKSON, esq.,, and the fol-
lowing gentlemen were appointed officers:
Hon. CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS, President.
SAMUEL K. SEwALL, esq.
GERsHoM B. WEsroN, esq. Vice Presi-
FRANCIS JACKSON, and dents.
TIMOTHY GILBERT, ff
Dr.; J. w. SToSE, and }secretaries.
J.WINGArE THORNTON
The meeting was addressed by WENDELL
PHILLIPs, esq.,; JAMES A. BRIGes, esq, of
Ohio; Rev. THEODORE PARKER; G. LENNox
REMoND, WM B. SOONER, esq.,; Mr.. FRED
ERIcK DOUGLAS, and the Rev. NATHANIEL
CoLvER. A prayer was offered by DR.. Low
ELL, and letter read from the Hon. JOSIAH
QUINCY. The meeting appointed the following
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
Timothy Gilbert, John A. Andrew,
Robert E. Apthorp, Henry !. Bowditch.
George Adams, Joseph X Hayes,
Henry p. Trask, Benjamin w. Gage,
VIM. G. Nell, Samuel Hall,
Ellis Gray Loring, Samuel E. Sewall,
John r. Manly. John Augustus,
Lewis Hayden, John w. Brown,
Nathaniel C, Nash, John l.. Emmons,
Charles Barstow, Joshua B. Smith,
Alexander Wilson, Charles List,
VIM. w. Marjoram, John Cove, ~
John T. Hilton, Isaac Osgood.
George M. Rogers. James w. Stone,