The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-05-30

s. From the Philadelphia Bulletin.
fancy the Chat Justice and Tancy the I.awye-.
HIS OPINIONS ON SLAVERY AND THE CONsrITU-
TON IN 1919.
The Hon. Roger B. fancy, Chief Justice
of the United States, has in the year of
grace, 1857, delivered judicial decision
affirming divers things-and among them,
that slaves are property according to the
Constitution of the United States that the
language Of the Declaration Of Independ-
ence about all men being created free and
equal was not meant to apply to colored
people; and that in old times everybody
believed these doctrines.
In the year 1919, the Rev. Jacob Gruber,
a minister of the Baltimore Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, was tried
in the Friedrich County Court, Maryland,
for ssattempting to excite INSTRUMENTATION
and instruction among Slaves" by preach
ing sermon in which he sets forth the evils
of slavery and the duty of masters. Mr..
Roger B. fancy was one of the counsel for
the defense, and in pamphlet account of
Nd, by David Martain, are now lying
before US, we find MIR. Taney's views ct
slavery, Of the rights Of man and Of the
For the benefit of Mr.. Taney's good name,
and for the purpose of letting every one
compare his former opinions with his
recent decision, we offer a few extracts from
the closing speech for the defense:
Mr.. fancy SHOWS THE RELATION OF METHOD
ISM TO SLAVERY.
"It is well known that the gradual and
peaceful abolition of slavery in these
States is one Of the objects which the Meth
odist Society have steadily in view. No
STAKEHOLDER is allowed to be minister of
that Church. Their preachers are accustom-
ed, in their sermons, to speak Of the MUS
tice and oppression Of slavery. The opin-
ion of Mr.. Gruber on this subject nobody
could doubt. And if any STAKEHOLDER be-
lieves it dangerous to himself, his family,
OF the community, to suffer his slaves to
learn that all slavery is un just and oppres-
sive, and persuade himself that they would
not of themselves be able to make the dis
coyery, it was in his power to prevent them
from attending the assemblies where such
doctrines were likely to be preached. Mr..
Gruher- did noAseo- she 1Avess they came
to him. They could not have come if their
masters had chosen to prevent them"
HE vIND1CATES FREE SPEECH.
0Mr. Gruber feels that it is due to his
own characteristic the station he fills-to
the respectable Society of Christians in
which he is Minister of the Gospel, not
only to defend himself from this persecution
but also to ayow and vindicate here, the
principles he maintained in his Sermon
There is no law that forbids us to speak of
slavery as we think of it. Any man has a
right to publish his opinions on the subject
Whenever he pleases. 1t is a subject of ma
tional concern, and may at all times be free
ly discussed"
Mr.. fancy STEAKS OF SLAVERY, NOT AS A
LAWYER, BUT IN HIS OWN NAME.
s'Mr. Gruber did quote the language Of
our great act of National Independence,
and insisted on the principles contained in
that ve4erated instrument. He did rebuke
those masters who, in the exercise OF power,
are deaf to the calls of humanity; and he
warned them Of the evils they might bring
upon themselves. He did speak with alb
horrence of those reptiles, who live by ira
ding in human flesh, and enrich themselves
by tearing the husband from the wife, the
infant from the bosom of the mother and
this / am instructed was the head and front
of his offending. Shall content myself"
continued MIR. fancy, sswith saying he had
o right to say this that there is no law to
punish him So far is he from being the
object of punishment in any form of pro-
ceedings, that we are prepared to maintain
the same principles, and to use, if neces-
sary, the same language here in the temple
Of Justice, and in the presence Of those
who are the ministers of the law.
A hard necessity, indeed, compels us to
endure the evil of slavery for time. 1t
was imposed upon us by another nation,
while we were yet in state of colonial vas
salage. 1t cannot be easily or suddenly re-
moved. Yet while it continues, it is a blot
ON our national character, and every real
lover Of freedom confidently hopes it will
be effectually, though it must be gradually
wiped away and earnestly looks for the
means by which this necessary object may
be best obtained. And until the time shall
oma-xhQ.Ua. can point zIithoaAa. blush to-
the Language held in the Declaration of In
dependence, every friend Of humanity will
seek to tighten the CALLING chains Of slave
~, and better, to the utmost of his power,
the wretched condition of the slave.
ssSuch was Mr., Gruber's object in that
part of his sermon of which l am now
speaking. Those who have complained of
him and reproached him, will not find it
easy to answer him-unless complaints, re-
proaches and persecution shall be consider
I'd n answer
1sr3e xtrartS suifcc to show that Mfr.
1aney IS, or at least was, much better
man, and more profound lawyer than one
would suppose from reading his decision in
the bred Scott case. Let US give Mr.. fancy
his due.
GREAT EXCITEMENT IN A CHURCH.