The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1852-09-30

otates, at the Iofmatlon OF the Constitution did
not propose, as in the of Naturalization and
Bankruptcy to empower the National Government
to establish uni form rule for the rendition of fu
gtives from labor, throughout the United States; they
did not ask the National Government to charge it
sell IN any way with this service; they did ven-
Northern States, by any such assertion of hateful
right They were content, under the sanctions of
compact, to leave it to the public sentiment of the
States. There, insist it shall remain
Mr. President have occupied muah time; but
the great subject still stretches before u.s. There
is yet one other point which should not leave un-
touched, and which justly belongs to the close
The Slave Act violates the Constitution and shocks
the Public Conscience With modesty and vet
with rmness let me add sir, it offends against the
Divine law. No such enactment be entitled to
support. As the throne of God is above every
earthly throne, so his laws and statutes above
all the laws and statutes of man. To question
these isto question God himself. But to assume
that human laws are beyond question is to claim
for their falible authors infalliblity. To assume
that they are always in conformity with those Of
God is presumptuousy and impiousy to exalt mar
to an equality with God. Clearly human laws are
not always in such conformity; nor can they eve
be beyond question from each individual. Where
the conflict is open, if Congress should command
the preparation Of murder the office of conscience
as final arbiter is undisputed But in every con
fict the same Queenly office is hers By no earth
ter anxious examination, without haste, without
passion, solemny for himself must decide this grea
controversy. Any other rule attributes nallibiity
to human laws, places them beyond any question
and degrades ali men to an unthinking passive ODE
dience.
tobe law Ler esse vider que justa uerlt ant
declare openly that unustlaws binding Sometimes
they called abuses" and laws; sometimes "vo
iences and not laws And here again the conscience
confined to the Church Amaser of philosophy in early
Europe name of intellectual the eloquent Abeard
in Latin addressed his son. has clearly
the universal injunction:
Jussa poestatis terrena discutienda
CGestis tib moX pericenda scias.
Siquis divnis jubeat contraria jussis
Tecontra Domnum pactio nula trahat.
The mandates af earthly power may discussed
of Heaven be performed nor any agree
against God Such is rule
Such ALSO by the lips of judges and has been the
proud declaration of the English law, whence
derived In this conviction patriots have fearessy bravet
unjust commands and martyrs have died.
And now sir the rule is commended to u.s. The good cit
zen thinks of the shverng fugitive guilty crime
pursued, hunted like beast while praying Chris
tan help and and he reads the requirements
this act, filed with horror Here is dospoc mandat
aid and assist in the prompt and efficient execution
this law Again let speak frankly Not rashly would
set myself against any provision Of law. This heavy
sponsbiy would lightly But here the path
OF duty is clear By the Supreme Law, which commands
do inustce by the comprehensive Christian Law OF
Brotherhood BY the Constitution toich haue to sup
port. AM BOUND TO DIsoBEy THIS ACT. Never in any
capacity can render voluntary aid in its execution Pains
and penalties endure but this great wrong
do II cannot obey; but suffer-" the exclamation
of the author of Pilgrims Progress when imprisoned for
dsobedence earthly Better suffer injustice
than do it, Better be the victim than the instrument
Better be the poor slave returned bondage
than the unhappy Con missioner.
There incident of history. which suggests par
alle and affords lesson c fidelity Under the triumphant
exerons OF that Apostolic Jesuit Francis XAVIER
number of the Japanese, amounting many hun
ded thousand-among whom princes, generals, and
the flower of the nob ywere converted 10 Christianity
Afterwards amidst the frenzy of civil religious persecu
ton and the penalty of death denounced against
all who refused rample upon the egy of the Redeeer
This Pagan law of Pagan land. But the delighted
historian records that scarcely from the muttudes
guilty of this apostacy. The law of
red Thus did this people refuse trample the painted
in refusing rample the living image of their Redeemer
shock Public Conscience for the sake of the Constitu
rights expressly secured Leave this question wher
left by fathers, at the formation of Natona
Government in the absolute control of the States the
pointed guardians of Personal Liberty Repeal this enact
Let its longer rage through the land
Mindful of the owly whom pursues, of the good men per
picked by its requirements in the of charity in the
of the Constitution repeal this enactment totally
without delay Beinspired by the example of Washington
Be admoaished by those words of Oriental petyBewar
of the of the wounded souls Cypress not 10 thu
utmost single heart for solitary sigh has to over
set whole world"