Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-07-31

George w. Julian and Repeal.
We understand that Mr. Julian denies that he is for the
repeal Of the fugitive slave law He talks about amend
ing the objectionable harsh provisions
of the law Now all this is sheer hypocrisy to gull the
Union democrats During the last session he introduced
than fifty petitions all for the repeal Of that law
That he in favor Of grating the prayer of these
fanatics we have positive evidence On the 9th Of JAN
uary he introduced the following petition the proceed
ings on which copy from the Congressional Globes
FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
Mr. Julian moved suspend the rules, to enable him
present petition memorial from the yearly meet
ing of the Society Of Friends in the State of Indiana
asking for the repeal of the fugitive slave bill passed at
the last session OF Congress. His obJect IN asking the
House suspend the rules that the memorial might
be referred to the Judiciary Committee, with lnstruc
tons to report in favor of the prayer OF the memorial
He asked for the yeas and nays the motion to
suspend the rules.
Mr. Brown, of Indiana should like to know wheth.
era there has been any objection to the presentation oil
the memorial?
The Sneaker. There has not
Mr.. Julian. / make the motion suspend the rules
in case there is any objection.
The Speaker. The gentleman from Indiana, then,
asks the unanimous OF the House to present the
memorial referred to. Is there any obIectoni
Several members objected. l
Mr.. Julian. Then move 20 suspend the rules, and
ask for the yeas and nays that motion.
The yeas and nays ordered.
Mr.. Hail. Is it in order to have the memorial
read want to know what am voting on
The Speaker. The House order II to be read
Mr.. Inge. object to the reading oil the memorial,
unless the House order il.
The Speaker put the question, and the House ordered
the reading of the memorial.
The clerk read the memorial, as follows:
To the Senate and House of Representatives Of the UHi-
ted States Of .america in Congress assembled:
BY the following memorial the Yearly Meeting OF the
religious Society Of AntSlavery Friends would respect
fully present their certain subjects, which should
undoubtedly awaken the interest OF every citizen oil our
common country.
While we have ever believed civil government to be Of
Divine ordinations and admitted to be the duty ofchris
be in subsection its authority, have behed
in favored country blest with better nsti-
tutons than most other nations many deporabe nstan
ces of Its perversiOn.
Whenever the powers of any Government WELD
ed as to conflict with the Divine law hid down in the
Scrptures-whenevcr they support any Institution sub
versve of JUSTICE it is evident that that government is
perverted from its object; and from such admin
istraton We believe it duty to withhold all active
support That the system Of chattel slavery tolera
ted and egaized IN the Southern portion oil thus Unon
and also in that District which you have full Jurs
diction institution of injustice is too plain propo
sion 10 require argument for its support.
While we continue to urge upon you the duty and ne
cessy OF aboShng slavery wherever you have the pow
err and Of doing whatever else you 10 weaken that
niquitous system feel called upon at the present
me particularly denounce bill recently passed for
the reclamation oil iuglveS the WnOle oil winch seems
TO be based on the assumption that the legal STAKEHOLDER
has right Of property in the person of the unortuna
whom he claims his slave. Were it possible for
you dvest Yourselves Of the prejudice of education and
come out Of the mss in which the habit of considering
slaves property has enveoped you, and look upon
man in his true ligh-as the nobes creature OF Infinite
Wisdom object of Divine grace and heir of immor-
alty-the proposition that he could become property,
would certainly appear preposterouS in the extreme.
We aware that it is argued by that the peo
pie OF the free States bound by certain compromise
IN To
stranger, fleeing from Republican oppression
chica liberty; yet, while must contend that
there is binding law higher than any human enact;
mcBts must view the abovenamed bill as law far
more unjust and wicked than is required by that
unholy compromise.
In paying the salaries of the commissioners provided
for by this act nothing but useless, than
useless, and prodgal expenditure Of the national
sure.
According the provisions Of this bill, the testimony
of the claimant, agent, be prBa dcie evidence
against the alleged fugitive and he is prevented from
! giving his evidence, which makes every colored
person liable to be TAKEN though legally free and
dcrs the law unfair and odous the sight OF those
who believe that that is property which the law makes
property.
BY another provision it is made criminal offence
punishable by heavy fine to assist fugitive peaceaby
and uadaby striving to regain his lost liberty-hs
raj and inherent rights. How plainly is this contrary to
the equitable and merciful preeepts Of the Gospel
To feed the hungry, cothe the naked, defend the faith
eress and plead for the widow-n short, to perform
deeds OF charity aad mercy made the duty OF the fol-
lower of Christ and will be taken evidence OF their
love of and faith in him but by this law it is made
passage of this BILL good for evil and evil for good
light for darkness and darkness for light; and would
extend to you and friendly warning, be-
ware OF the pronounced against those who thus do
In concnsion appeal to you by your love Of Right
and Justceby your love of the peace of your country
which is endangered 10y laws repugnaBt the feel
ngs OF the of the northern people, and by your
hope of happiness hereafter, to Immediately repeal this
cruel, wicked, and Infamous law, no longer suffer our
national professions to he belied, and national
character thus dsgraced.
Signed by direction, and on behalf of the meeting
Aforesaid held Newport. Wayne county, Indiana
10th month, 3rd. 1850
WALTER EDGERTON, CLERK.
Mr. Richardson inquired if was in order to NOV,
lay the motion for the reception Of the petition tho
table?
The Speaker stated that the pending question was
the motion suspend the rules enable the gentleman
from Indiana TO present the memorial.
Mr. Stanly asked if the gentleman from Indiana coult
not, under the rules Of the House, present the petition
and have il referred TO such committee he desired
The Speaker replied that the gentleman from Indian,
could, under the rules of the House, present the
rial and have it referred but with the Instruction.
: which he proposed to give a.t
MIR. Stanly understand, then that he asks to sus
pend the rules only In order to give instructions to TIT
. committee.
Mr.. Kaufman desired know what the instruction
WERE which the gentleman from Indiana proposed 4
e give to the committed
Mr.. Julian said that his intention in asking pres
the memorial was that il should be referred the
mIttee with instructions report in favor Of the praye
OF the memoralists that the fugitive slave law shou
: be repealed.
o Now il Mr. Julian was in favor OF amending the Law
and not repeating il, why did he nstruc
his committee. We have no fur Their comments. Demo
of the fourth district if you desire this slavery