Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-05-16
TANLY THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND TANEY
THE LAWYER.
HIS OPINIONS ON SLAVERY AND TIE
CONSTITUTION IN 1919.

NON0lll1i iON Az low
Prom the Philadelphia Bulletin.
The Hon. Roger B.. fancy. Chief Justice Of the
Supreme Court of the United States, has, in this
year of grace 1857. delivered a 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 Independence about all men being
created free and equal, was not meant to apply IL
colored people and that in old times everybody
believed these doctrines.
In the year 1919, tho Rev. Jacob Gruber, q
minister Of the Baltimore Conference Of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church, was tried in the Frederick
county Court, Maryland, for attempting to excite
insubordination and resurrection among slaves
by preaching q sermon in which he set forth the
evils of slavery, and the duties of masters. Mr.
Roger b.. fancy was one of the counsel for thu
defense, and in a pam hlet account Ct the trial
published in 1919, at Fredericktown, Md, b,
David Martin, and now lying before us, we fine
Mr.. Tanev's views of slavery, of the rights o
man. and of the Declaration OF Independence, a
that time. For the benefit of Mr.. Taney's goot
name, and for the purpose OF letting every on,
compare bis former opinions with his recent de
cision, we offer a few extracts from the closing
speech for the defense.
Mr.. TANEr SHOWS THE RELATION OF MErnoDIsN II
SLAVERY.
at is we'll known that the gradual and peace
full abolition Of slavery in these Stntes is ono o
the objects which tn, Methodist Society hav,
steadily in view. No stakeholder is allo we'd to b.
a Minister Of that Church. Their preachers ar
accustomed, in their sermons to speak of the in
justice and oppression of slavery. The opinion o
Mr.. Gruber on this subject nobody could doubt
And if any stakeholder believes it dangerous t
himself, his family, or the community, to suffe
his slaves to learn that all slavery is unjust ant
nnprnssivp and porsuada hip,ealF tbat ,hoy ,roul
not Of themselves be able to make the discovery
it was in his power to prevent them from attend
ing the assemblies where such doctrines wer
likely to be preached. Mr.. Gruber did not 60 t
the slaves they came to him. They could no
have come if their masters had chosen to proven
them"
NE vISDIcATEs FREE SPEECH.
"Mr. Gruber feels that it is due to his owl
characterize the station he flls-to the respect
able society of Christians in which he is q Minis
ter of the Gospel, not only to defend himself from
this prosecution, but also to avow, and to vindi
cate here. the principle he maintained in his ser
mon. There is no law that forbids us to speak O
slavery as we think Of it. Any mar has a RICH
to publish his opinions on that subject wheneye
he pIeases. 1t is a subject of national concern
an / may at all times be freely discussed"
Mr.. TANEY STEAKS OF SLAVERY, NOT AS A LAWYER
But IN his OWN NAME.
"Mr. Gruber did quote the language of on
great act of National Independence, and insiste
on the principles contained in that venerated
instrument. lie did rebuke those masters who, il
the exercise Of power, are deaf to the calls of hu
mauity and be warned them Of ths evils the
might bring upon themselves. lie did speak wit
adherence Of those reptiles who live by tradin
in human flesh, and enrich themselves hy tearin,
the husband from the wife, the infant from tn
bosom of the mother and this | am ~instructe,
was the head and front of his offending. Shall
content myself" continued Mr.. fancy, with say
ing he had u right to say this ? that there is n
law to punish him So far is he from being tn
object of punishment in any form Of proceedings
that we are prepared to maintain the same princi
Piles, and to use, if necessary, the same languag
here in the temple of justice, and in the presenc
of those who are the ministers of the law.
"A hard necessity, indeed, compels us to endur
the evil for a time. 1t was imposed upon us b
another n ,tion. while we were yet in a state q
colonial vassalage. 1t cannot be easily or sudden
y removed. Yet while it continues it is a blot o
our national character, and every real lover c
freedom confidently hopes that it will be effcctua.
ly, though it must be gradually wiped away; an
earnestly looks for the means by which this neces
sary object may be best obtained. And until
shall be accomplished, until the time shall com
when we can point without a blush to the languag
held in the Declaration of independence. ever
friend of humanity will seek to tighten the ga
ling chain OF slavery, and better, to the utmost q
his power, the wretched condition of the slave.
"Such was Mr.. Gruber's objection in that par
of his sermon Ct which am now speaking. TIlos
who have complained of him, and reproache
him, will not find it easy to answe him-unles
complaints, reproaches and prosecutions shall b
considered an answer"
These extracts suffice to show that Mr.. Tame
is, or at least was, n much better man and a ia
more profound lawyer than any one would suppos
from reading his recent opinion in the bred Scot
case. Let US give Mr.. fancy his due.