Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-04-05
Obedience 10 The Fugitive Slave Law, Di so.
bCdienee 10 God.

Extracts from Discourse delivered by Rep.
Samuel j. .udy, 10 the Chiuch of .Messiah. in
Syracuse, NJ Y. .NoU. ID, 1850.
This law must lie left to die upon the stat
ute book. II its friends persist in enforcing
II, the Union will be torn into pieces! All
attempts hitherto TO carry out the provisions
OF this law, have only ninde its ntrocity more
conspicuous, and awakened in the public
heart deeper dctestation ofit Now, then,
look around you; see the men, women and
children who are particularly in danger of
this law. Some of them have heroicnlly
won the precious boon Of freedom, not with
the price of their oppressor's blood, but
through the perls Of long and suffering
! flight. And here they have lived for years,
and have endeavored to unfold and improve
the natures which God gave them. Hero
lhey have lived IN our midst, pursuing tho
humble avocaiions by which they nre left TO
earn livelihood for themselves and familie =
| not imposing near so much upon the chnrl-
| lles oi the city, IN proportion to their num-
bers, ms white inhabitants but contributing
Their share to the support of tue public bur
thens. Some of them have been inmates of
our families, have eaten of Our brcnd, have
| partaken OF our comforts and have made us
ample returns by their fidelity in our service
and kindness in our Affections. Olten huve
! they been with us in the house of the Lord,
aud together have we acknowledged, that we
have ali one common Father. See them
now filled with alarnI-knowing not wheth-
er to flee from our country altogether, sacri-
ficing their homes, and the little property
they have gathered together about them, aud
TO hazard the prvntons and suilcrings of n
| flight in winter 10 colder cline, or whether
| they shall remain and trust TO us TO protect
them. Look nt them, and nsk yourselves,
whether you will obey this internal law, and
| help TO fling them back into bondage worse
| than death. Look at them and ask yourselves
whether you can stand calmly by, and see
| them torn away by impious men, who dare
to claim human beings as property and
am sure you will answer with me indignant
ly, no! Come what may TO our property,
political or pccuniary interests, or our per-
sons come what will to the Union, we will
not submit TO such an outrage
Fellow citizens Christians. brethren tho
time has come, that is TO test our principles
TO try our souls. l would not that any one
in this enei gcncy, should trust TO his own
unaided strength. Let us frequently pray
: for wisdom to direct ms, AMI for 1ortiiiide. 10
, do whatever may be demanded at our hands.
Let us determine before God TO do for these,
" the least Of our brethren" whatever we
would do for the dearly beloved Son of God
hnself-for this is his own requirement.
And forget not his words, whatsoever will
lose his life for my sake and for the gospels,
the same shall save it." There is meaning
in these words, which we may now have an
opportunity to prove.
would counsel prudence, although this
evil day demands of us solfsacrifce and
courage. As all are liable at any moment to
find ourselves so placed that we must violate
our duty TO Christ, in the painting fugitive, or
else in some way approve the execution Of
this law, and by so doing, subject ourselves
| TO the fine of one thousand dollars, TO the
loss of another thousand by civil process, to
the expense of two suits and TO imprison-
ment for six months, therefore il is the die
tate of prudence, as well as of good fellow
| ship in a righteous cause, that we unite our
selves in an association, pledged TO stand by
its members in opposing this law, and to
share with any Of them the pecuniary losses
they may necessarily incur, under the exac-
tions of this worse than Austrian enactment.
by such union we shall strengthen each
others, hands, aud encourage each others,
hearts. Aud it is very probable that ii II is
known at the South, that We are linus well
prepared, no less than fully resolved TO with
= stand the execution OF this most wicked law,
we shall not be troubled with any attempt
on their part to enforce il. 1t is not at all
likely that any stakeholder will hereafter at
tempt 10 recover luBiuNc, WIZ ndS touhU
his way to Boston, or any part Of Massachu-
sets. Let similar reputation be established
for this city and vicinity: the kdnnppers
would no more think of invading our peace,
tlian wolves and bears would come TO prowl
in our streets.
We should spare no pains, through tho
press, by conversation aud by public address
es, particularly by faithful discourses from
the pulpit, TO cherish and quicken the sense
of right aud the love Of liberty in the hearts
of the people. A correct public sentiment
is our surest Safeguard. Fourteen years ago,
stakeholder came TO the neighborhood
where resided, in Connecticut, and laid
claim TO the person of a colored woman, who
had lived there several years. and made her
self respected by her correct department and
industrious habits. The anti-slayery ques-
ton had been much agituted there; the
rights Of humanity we're understood sad ge-
specled. For while the hunter of men
could find no lawyer base enough to aid
him. At last, by "A heavy retainer, he secur-
ed the services of one who hungercd for
bread more than for righteousness The suit
was commenced. But tho indignation OF
that community burst into flame. ltfiosh-
ed from every eye. IL roared from every
tongue And although no violence was at
, tempted or intended upon him or his client,
vet the very air was SO hot with the public
wrath, that the stakeholder fed, leaving his
cause midway, undecided, and the woman
4 unharned, in the bosom of libcrty-loying
5 people.
# So it should be, so it may be here, if it be
= not so now. The man who advocates the
= enforcement of this law, should be scorched