The Tiffin tribune. [volume] (Tiffin, Ohio) 1848-1859, 1857-06-19
MOST.
Chief Justice Taney's Views Of
Slavery and the Constitution In
I8Io-A ResurfbetiOn.

States, has, in this year Of grace 1857,
delivered a judicial decision affirming
divers things--and among them, that
slaves arc property according to tho Con-
stitution Uf the United States; that tho
language Of the Declaration Of Indepen-
dJnce about all men being created free
aud equal was not moant 10 applyto col.
ored people; end that in old timos every
body believed these doctrines.
In the year 1919. The Rev. Jacob Cru.
Dor, Minister of tho baltimore Confer
onoo Of The Methods. Episcopal Church,
was triod in the Frederick county Court,
Maryland. for attempting 90 excite in
subordiuation and insurrectiou among
slaves" by Irachiug n sermon IN which
ho set forth tho OWLS of slavery and the
duties Of masters Mr.. Roger b. Taney
was one Of the counsel for the defense;
and in n pamhlet account Of the trial,
published in 1919. at Fredcricktown,
Nd, by David Martin, and now lying
before us, wo find Mr.. Taney's views Of
slavery, Of the rights Of mau. not Of the
Declaration Of Independence. atMattime.
Fog the benefit Of Mr.. Taney's good namo.
and Tor tho purpose Of letting every one
compare his former opinions with his re-
cent decision, we offer few extracts
from his opening speech for the defence.
Or TANEr SHOWS THE RELATION orMErnoD.
ISM TO SLAVERY.
"You have already been told that Mr..
Gruber is a minister Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, aad il is not necessary
to toll you, that the religious society to
which he belongs, ,isnearly as numerous as
any other, in the genoralordcr and deco
rum Of their behavior, in their moTal de-
poitmcnt, aud in their habits Of obedience
to the laws IL was, al very early po-
ricd Of his life, that Mr.. Gruber became
member Of this society, and took upon
himself the duties of a Minister Of the
Gospel. In this vocation no has faithful
| Ily labored for moro than twenty years;
AMI ho now fills post Of high rank and
great confidence in tho church., the ro'
ward Of his fervent piety and unwearied
zeal. We shall also prove 30 you by q
most respectable witness, n Minister oI
tho Same Church, whose duty it has OF
ton been, according 10 the discipline o.
that society, TO examine into the conduct
and character Of the accused, that during
the whole course Of his ministry, th,
Rovorand gentleman who is now on hiI
trial has sustainsd a ohNraeter Of spo1lesI
integrity.
ait is we'll ! n wa that tho gradual AnC
peaceabla abolition Of slavery in thes
States, is one Of the objects which thC
Methodist Society have steadily in view
No slave-holder is allowed to be Minis
ter Of the Church. Their preachers ar
accustomed, In their sermons, to speak q
the injustice and oppression Of slavery
The opinion Of Mr.. Gruber on this snbjeC
nobody could doubt. And IL any slave
holder believed it dangerous TO himself
his family, or tho community, to suifC
his slaves to learn that all slavery is unjul
and oppressive; and persuade himse
that thoy would not Of themselves be abl
TO make the discovery II was in his pow
er TO prevent them from attending the a'
semblios, whore such doctrines were like
lly to be preached Mr.. Gruber did no
90 to the slaves; they came to him. The
could not have come. If their masters Ia
} chosen TO prevent thom.
HE vrNDIcArEs FREE SPEECH.
"Mr. Grubcr feels that il is duo to h
y own character; to the station he fills;
, the respectable society Of Christians
: which he is a Minister Of the Gospel, n
only 20 defend himseif from the prosecl
, ticn, but also to ayow, and to vindica
. here. the principles he maintained in h
= sermon. There is no law that fcrbids
to speak Of slavery as wo think fit. Al
8 man has a right to publish his opinion
. on that subject whenever he pleases.
IS is a subject Of national concern, and m
D DO at all times freely discussed"
Mr.. TANEY SPEARS or STEVENSON AS
LAWYER, BUT IN mrs OWN NAME.
''Mr. Gruber did not quote the y
guage of our great act Of National Inc
no pondence, aud Insisted on tho principl
80 contained in that venrated instrumo
IN IIe did Iebuke those masters, who, in
m exercise Of power, are deaf to the calls
IT, humanity; and be warned them Of
T. evils they might TO bring upon the
e. selves. Flo did speak with adherence
nd those reptiles. who live by feeding in
on man flesh. and enrich themselves by to
K ing tho husband from the wife-the
lie fant from the bosom OF the mother; q
ly this am instructed was the head q
e. font of his offending, Shall l cont
IT. myself, continued Mr., fancy, with s
y, ing he had right TO say thiag that th
oil is no law to punish him7 SO far is
.ly from being the object Of punishment
he any form Of proceedings TINT wo are
pared to maintain the same principles
10 use, IL necessary, the same langu
here 10 the temple Of justice, and IN
ns presence Of thosa who are the minisl
Y Of the law. A hard necessity, inde
Nv compels us to endure the evil Of slay
elp for a time. Ii was imposed upon VS.
'o another nation; while we were yet
a. state Of colonial vassalage. II cannot
=" w easily, OF suddenly removed. Yet "
~ ~ il continues, ifis Blot on or n0t,e
~ ~ ekaracier, and every real lover Of freed
.st confidently hopes that it VIII be elect
ly, though il must be gradually W.
away; and earnestly looks for the mei
in by which this necessary oblec. may
een best obtained And until it shail %