New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-11-25
The SInna Lenrnnn Fund.


The fund of five thousand dollars proposed TO
be raised to reimburse Mr. Jonathan Lennon,
of Virginia, for his slaves, set at liberty In this
city last week. by the righteous decision OF Judge
Paine, has been completed, the cash has been
paid over, and surplus remains. The appeal
made TO the public to raise this money was TWO.
fold pity for poor man expectedly deprived
OF his property, aud secondly, the benefits OF a
reputation at the South for opposing such a law
as that under which these eight human beings
are set at liberty. IL was but a proper tribute
10 moral honesty as well as TO the sanctlty OF
true charity, that the real motive for giving to
this fund should be so frankly set forth. AS a
business transaction, We know not that any FAULT
is TO BE- found with it, That il is shrewd, aud
well calculated TO pay, no men are better quail
fed 10 Judge than those who have been active
in raising the fund. We doubt not it will turn
our handsome speculation, end that the names
and firms advertised to the South as ready TO
assist the stakeholder 10 regain or retain his pro-
pcIty, lawfully and unlawfully, will reap the re-
turns cf their slight investments; and We have
a. little doubt thar their gains will provoke the
envy Of no thinking or Christian man.
But let us examine the matter candidly IN its
moral aspects What just or righteous claim
had Mr.. Lennon upon the charity of any man,
in the loss Of his slaves The law of New
York clearly aud expressly forbids the intro
duction Of slaves within the State, on "any pre-
tense whatever" Mr. Lennon acknowledges
be knew this, and that he expected TO eyade it
by concealment. He violated, therefore, IA
known law-he ran the risk with his eyes open ;
aud il now he has incurred the penalty, where is
the proper ground for sympathy or charity,
which any open violator of the law may not
equally claiml Leaving out Of view thedeeper
and truer ethics of the case, a plea might have
been made for him, if he had come to New
York against his will, or without knowing the
liabilities of his act His misfortune might then
have been commiserated but now he has the
advantage OF no such ignorance or compulsion /;
he came with his eyes open, and got what he had
every reason TO expeRt he would get BY his
own act, he had taken his slaves out OF the cat
egory of merchandise and made them freemen.
Ahd they are gsade free BY no act of injustice,
but by virtue of the reign of mercy, justice and
truth. Is this cause Of tearsi
A hope is expressed by those who got up this
fund, that il may possibly be restored TO them
law NAV be repealed To refund the money
would be for the Legislature TO stultify Itself
10 reproach and disown It's own acts. 10 repeal
tie law, we believe, would open the food-gates
of an agitation deeper and more permanent
than has ever yet existed on this slavery ques-
ton. The State Of New-YOrk is not and cannot
be made slave State. Having outgrown the
barbarism, injustice and decrepitude Of state
Of slavery, II can never be brought back to it.,
either in whole or in part There is, We believe,
a general and righteous determination on the
part of the people, to allow the States which
leealize slavery to do SO, ard TO have their own.
The stern requirements of the original compact
the North is willing to abide by, honestly and full.
ly. No deeper expression of this sentiment
could be given, than has been given BY the ac-
ceptance OF the fugitive slave law. But beyond
this it will not be possible to 60 The North