The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-06-15

of high treason fugitive, who had been ar
rested at Boston, was liberated by some of bis
colored friends, who, finding the door of HE
room in the courthouse open, hustled the of.
icer, and secured the escape of the intended
victim Not a weapon had been produced, moi
a wound was given; yet the rescue was boldly
proclaimed by Mr.. Webster, Secretary OF State
TO be an act of treason, a leVying of war against
the United States!
y ~ = II '
DELINQUENCY AND DUTY OF THE CHURCH
We have in our country population, free
and bond, of between three and four millions,
who, merely on account OF their complexion,
are treated with an almost total disregard OF
that Justice and humanity enloined by the re-
lgion we profess. The American and Foreign
Anti Slavery Society are laboring to secure to
them that christian treatment TO which the
gospel of Christ entities them. In this work OF
mercy, they invoke, and have right to invoke,
the countenance and aid Of the church. We are
not unconscious that the church has, in asst ages,
been frequently faithess to her high mission OF
cultivating peace and good will among men
and he is but little acquainted with passing
events who is ignorant that the American church
Is at this moment one Of the strongest but
tiesses of American caste and slavery. Would
we, then, if we could, destroy the chu'ch! God
forbid. Ii the " orld is so full Of sin and
Indebtedness notwithstanding the church, what
would it be without n church! The answer
may be found in the crueties and denominations
OF paganism But the ministers Of Christ are
saen Of like passions with others, and liable, like
Others, TO be swayed by popular opinion and
motives of sef-interest. 1t is possible ma OF
the clergy have not reflected that, in supporting
and vindcating slavery, they are lending their
countenance to an institution which outrages
every moral precept they inculcate from the
pulpit. What answer will The Northern clerical
slave-eatch.r, or the Southern reverend slave
breeder and slave trader return to the inspired
question, " He that lovethnot his brother, whom
he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he
hath not seen ?" Surely it is worthy Of remem-
brance that, at the day of final account, the
Judge will consider as done to himself both the
kindness and the cruelty shown to the least Of
his brethren.
We are constantly reminded that the church
is the great instrument Of moral reform. Most
gratefully do we allow that the precepts of the
gospel are sufficient for all the moral necessities
Of man, "D) to Others as you would they
should do unto you" is a law which, if obeyed,
would of itself Danish slavery aud oppression
from The face Of the earth. But, unhappily, the
church, or at least portion Of her ministers,
have not always applied the p.ecepts of the Cos
rel to existing and popular sins. 1t is certain
ly no exaggerated statement, that not one ser
mon in thousand delivered at tie North con
tains the slightest auson to the duties Of
toward the colored population; while
at the South nultiudas Of the clergy are as
deeply involved in The iniquities of slavery rs
their hearers. II is no libel on the great body
of onr Northern clergy to say that, in regard to
the wrongs of the colnred people, instead of
performing the part Of the good Samaritan
their highest merit consists in following the eX.
ample OF the priest and Levite, and passing by
on the otter side, without inhicting new injuries
on their wounded brother But we rejoice to
know that there are ministers Of Christ among
us, and not few, 10 whom these remarks are
wholly nappcabIe; men who pray and preach
and labor against slavery and caste, and thus
adnrn the doctrine of God their Saviour We
rejoice, also, to know that such ministers are ap
preciated and honored by christians abroad of
every name. The clergy Of England, Scotland
and Ireland decline admitting into their pulpit.
cfereymen from this country holding what they
deem heretiGii doctrines; but can they exclude
any Tor a foucr heresy than that which abro.
gates all the christian preCepts Of justice and
mercy IN their application 10 colored men? We
trust our friends in Great Britain will not weak
en- our hands, and strengthen the pro.slavery
influence Of oar churches, by overlooking, in
their reception of American clergymen, the
course they have pursued at home on the sub.
ject OF slavery They may be perfectly assured
that The American clergyman who, abroad. il too
dignitcd to be questioned as 10 his opinions on
human bondage, is at home too patriotic to offer
any vigorous opposition to the peculiar instilu.
ton " at his country.
OBJECTS CT THE SOCIETY.
We have thus frankly stated the objects of
the American and Foreign Anti Slavery Society,
and confidently ask if they are not objects wor-
thy to be pursued by rational, accountable chris.
tian men! Nay, we go farther, and ask, has
not q society pursuing such objects valid claims
on The cOunlenance and generous aid of every
phllanthropi't and christian in our couutry
Hostility TO slavery has frequently been asso
ciated with various objects OF poll zeal and NOR
al reform. Il is natural il should be 30, sifce
the same love for our neighbor which revolts at
his oppression, seeks 10 advance his general vel
fare. Bot experience has fully proved that
associated action cannot be efficiently maintain.
eu w o'NdIi w VARIOUS pans, respecting winch
the individuals associated entertain diverse
opinions. lIerce the A. and +. A. s. society.
without passing any judgment on other proposed
confine their efforts in their associated
capacity TO the abolition Of caste. and slavery.
leaving to their members individually the full
and entire liberty Of advocating md promoting.
in such way as they may think proper, any other
reforms, moral or Tolitical We believe every
man is bound 10 exercise the elective franchise
in the fenr e God hut while we shall ever re-
dice in the election OF vriuous rulers, who will
do justice and love mercy, il is not the province
OF the ociety 10 recommend particular indiyid.
uals for the snffrages Of their fellow citizens.
u il consoling to IA 10 know that, IN the sen.
timenis we have expressed, we enjoy the sym
patty Of almost all without the limits Of our
own country who bear the Christian name. A
vast multitude on our own coil hold the same
sentiments aud did they act with Que hesrt and
one voice would soon triumph over the preju.
dice which supports caste, would array the
church on the side of mercy, and rcscue the fed
eral government from its unhoy and unconsti.
tutional alliance with slavery. But, unfortun
ately, q e symrathies Of this multitude, mol be.
inc concentrated i'm action and 'counsrl ara in