Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-05-22
Anti Fugitive Slave law in the
Massachusetts Senate.

Some Of the proceedings in this body, in re-
laton to the slave law, are of great interest," these
days. Last week, the committee appointed to
see how far State officers had violated the laws
of the Commonwealth in assisting in the Sims
case, made long and able report, IN which they
show that a large number OF persons holding
offices under the 5ruto, did openly violate and
disUbey existing Stale statutes. To remedy
this, stringent bill is reported.
About the same time, petition, signed by
over 100 Methodist clegymen in the State, was
presented. AS this petition may be viewed as
embracing the views of the Methodist church in
Massachusetts, we give it entire.-ED.
TO the honorable Senate of the Common
weahh af Massachusetts,
This petition of more than one hundred
cIergymen, of the Methodist Episcopal
churches in Massachusetts, humbly repre-
sents, that in their judgment, the law Of the
United States, known as the "Fugitive
SiaUe Law," imposes upon the citizens oil
this Commonwealth duties which are incom.
palibe with the obligations and charities of
the Christian religion.
That it endangers the liberties of many
of their colored christian bre, heren, and
in its execution, would disperse and destroy
nearly entire churches heretofore in peace
lul communion with their denomination in
varioSs parts of the land churches which
are composed largely of fugitives from op-
preston, who have been upright citizens
for many years and have, since their escape
from bondage, married and raised up famiI-
les which must be involved in insupportable
clalamhIes by the enforcement of this op-
presslve statute.
That the above mentioned statute and the
proceedings already had under it in this
Commonwealth have tended to the demon.
aIlzatlon of the public mind, and it is such
law in its details, as the founders of The
Commonwealth would have disdained, and
our fathers Of the last generation rendered
nugatory, not by violent resistance, but by
a salutary public sentiment and that person.
al virtue and self respect which would not
allow them to incur the deep degradation o.
being accessory to lis executions.
That the said law and the proceeding.
had under it are leading to acrimonious anC
nnhealthful exctements and discussions
and TO the common inference of language
and opinions on subjects of liberty SLAYER,
and humanity, which show a lamentablt
degradation from the most sacred sentiments
and traditions transmitted to US from ou
ancestors-anguage and opinions which
put the interests of mammOn and partv il
contrast with, and in preference to the high
est virtues that can dignity States and emo
BILE individual men.
That this law and proceedings had unde
it, are, by their incompatiblIity with the hu
mainly and moral sense of the people, EN-
dangering the popular reverence for law ant
the officers of justice.
That above all, they are leading to seri
Gus, if not bIasphemous, dsparagement o
the reverence which is due to the Suprem
taa0s of Almighty God, without which there
is no safe protection for society and NJ
sanitary education for our youth. You
petitioners humbIy represent that the PERM
cious consequences of this dtptOrabte Ian
have reached a degree of evaporation
which should excite the soicitude of al
good citizens, and especially Of public men
aud your petitioners do, as public teacher,
of religion, and guardians of the mora
sentiments of the people, deem it their dut,
to appeal to your honorable body, praying
You 10 do what you canconsistently with your
obligations to the constitution of the United
States, TO prevent further harm to the mora
sesne and ancient honor OF the State Of
| Massachusetts from the causes herein men.
toned. And your petitioners will evel
pray.