Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-01-31


Union MeetiDgs, Again.
We have spoken of the Embargo law OF 1907 ncon
nection with the Slave law of 1850, and the effect OF
each upon certain class of inca. Both emanated from
Virginia minds, and both were forced through Con
gress by Southern dictation. One was calculated to
crush Northern enterprise, the o,er to crush grow
ing sentiment of Freedom, North and South. Boston
merchants opposed and denounced the Embargo law
with 6erceness and pertnacy unknown to this gen.
Grafton. Officers Of the Customs in search of Struggled
goods stgmatized ''pimps,' spies' and Gin
formers" Faneuil Hall meetings frequently held,
not to brng people back their constitutional obga
tons, and induce them 'conquer their prejudces,"
but rather by 'agitaton and fanaticism' to create
prejudice and opposition to legal authority For six or
seven years, while this and subsequent stringent mea
sures of Congress in force, fierce and bitter oppo
ston to the administration Of the general government
was kept up. In the conflict were enlisted the press,
the pulpit, and the bar. The class of clergymen,
lawyers, and journals, that now, for the most pant,
preach quiet submission every ordinance of man fer
conscience sake, the first highest obligation of the
true patriot and faithful CITIZEN then boldly denounced
both laws and law makers, as SECTIONAL wicked, vim
dictive
Not then as now, were wealth and influence on the
side of power and oppression. In New England, tai
ent and learning well wealth and number predom.
mated in the opposition end of the scales. Here the
powers at Washington found their hardest opponents
and most difficult work. and though the old Chronicle
defended maniuly and perseveringly the Of
Congress and the administration, lis three cornered hat
would occasionally play and flap under to Calling fire of
the Centind. 'IIonesus' was true as STEEL and would
rally again for the conflict, after much hard playing
while treasury paper continued to flow to him through
the loan office. But Hone could not stand the heavy fire
of 'FBos.on REBEL" and "real Christian. The
truth was, John Lowell, Jr., carried too much
metal for Ben Austin. But let US return to the con-
vention, and listen to Sau! among the Prophets. Mr..
lalet says ''It is the higher law of Danie Shays in
the rebellion of 1885, who, with thirteen wris on his
back for debt, assembled an armed mob to stop the
courts and his message the judges ofhe Supreme
Court then about hold their session in Springfield,
ordering them not to open their court, indct the
rebels. The judges of that day answered. as sure
the judges OF this day. and the commissioners too if
be, q speak for one of them) would answer
like message from the modern higher law party, that
they would faithfully the laws of the country
agreeaby to their oaths' Yes, he can speak for one
Of them-the Gone, who few years since stood
up day after day, in of Justice, and ccunseled u
to violate their oahs to 'sdecide according law
and evidence" to disregard all rulings of the court,
and il they believed the violated law unconstitutional to
acquit the accused without regard toevidenee in the
case, charge of the presiding judge;-the same
''one,' who encouraged and counseed excited citizens
Of Rhode Island to acts of sedition and rebeon who
harangued large collections of loaers in Stale street
assist with and ammunition the Dorr rebels of that
sister state. hne specimen truly Of a law.abding
preacher.
All the speakers seemed to enjoy, with peculiar
susto, the fun of huling their shafts of rdcue at the
'hgher law" They derde it, but cannot annul
1t, nor obiterate t.in the heart Of man. They may
prohibit by pains and penalties the free gushings Of the
nohest feeling of humanity; pile on statute to
stiile beneyolence; and still the divine Injunction
whasoever We would that men should do unto you do
We them is law that commcnds itself to
every mans conscience. Rdicue it they do forbid its
exercise they may, but extngush stifc it they can
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