Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-05-29

Court, Maryland, for "attempt-
Ing to excite characterization and
among slaves" by preach
my sermon In which hc set forth
The evils of slavery and the duties OF
Mr.. Roger b. fancy was
one Of the counsel for the defense;
and in n pamphlet account ofthe trial,
published in 1919, at Fredericktown,
Md, by David Martin, and now lying
before US, we find Mr.. Taney's views
Of slavery, Of the rights of man, and
Of tho Declaration of Independence,
at that time. For the benefit Of Mr..
Taney's good name, and Tor the pur-
pose of letting every one compare his
former opinions with his recent de-
cision, we offer few extracts from
his opening speech for the defense.
MR.. TANEY SHOWS THE RELATION OF
METHoDIsM TO SLAVERY.
aYou have already been told that
Mr.. Gruber is q minister Of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, and it is not
to tell you, that the relig-
ious society to which he belongs is
nearly as numerous as any other so
ciety of Christians in the State; and
the equal of any other, in the general
order and decorum of their behavior,
in their moral department and in
their habits Of obedience to the laws.
1t was, at very early period Of his
life, that Mr.. Gruber became men,
Der of this society, and took upon
himself the. duties of Minister of
the Gospel. In this vocation he has
labored Tor more than TWEEN
ty years; and he now fills O post OF
high rank and great confidence in
his church, the reward of his fervent
piety and dnwearied zeal. We shall
also prove to you by most respect
able witness, q Minister of the same
Church, whose duty it has often been
according TO the discipline ofthat
society, to examine into the conduct
and character of the accused, that
during the whole course ofhis minis
try, the Reverend gentleman who is
now on his trial has sustained char
acter of spotIess integrity.
at is well known that the gradual
and peaceable abolition Of slavery in
these States is one of the objects
which the Methodist Society have
steady in view. No Shareholder is
allowed to be Minister ofthe Church.
Their Preachers are accustomed, in
their sermons, tospeak Of the injustice
and expressions ofslavery. The opin-
ion OF Mr.. .Gruber on this subject,
nobody could doubt. And if any
Shareholder believed it dangerous TO
himself, his family, or the community,
to suffer his slaves to learn that all
slavery is unjust and oppressive; and
persuade himself that they would not
Of themselves be able to make the
discovery, it was in his power to pre-
vent them from attending the assem-
bles, where such doctrines were like
ly to be preached. Mr.. Gruber did
not go to slaves; they came to him.
They could not have come, if their
masters had chosen to prevent them.
HE vINDcATFs FREE SPEECH.
:. Mr.. Gruber feels that it is due To
his own character; to the station he
fills; to the respectable society of Chr.
istain to which he is minister of the
Gospel, not only to defend himself
from this prosecution, but also toavov
and to vindicate here, the principals
he maintained in his sermon. There
is no law that forbids us to speak O
slavery as we think of it. Any MAJ
has right to publish his opinions OF
that subject whenever hepleases. i
is subject of national concern, anc
may at all times be freely discussed.
NIB. TAsEY SPEAKS OF sLAvERY-No.
AS A LAWYER, BUT INHs owNNAME.
"Mr. Gruber did quote the languag,
ofour great act of National Indepen
dence, and insisted on the principles
contained in that generated instru
ment. He did rebuke those masters
who, in the exercise of power, are dea
to the calls ofhumanity; and he warn
ed them Of the evils they might bring
apon themselves. He did speak witl
abhorpence Of those reptiles, tcho lire b!
trading IN human flesh, and enrichthem
sctces By tearing the husband from III
'cite-the infant from the bosom Q
the mother; and this / am instructe'
was the head and front of his offend
ing. Shall | contentmyself, continu
ed Mr.. fancy, with saying he hal
a right to say this? That there is n
law TO punish him2 SO far is no fror
being the object Of punishment in an,
form OF proceedings, that zee are pre-
pared TO maintain the same principle!
and to use, If necessary, the same lanqu
age here in ihe temple of justice, and i
the presence of those who are tn
ministers of the law. a hard necess
~. indeed coB,peis US to endure the en-
ofslarery for time. 1t was impose
upon US by another nation; while W
were in state of colonial vassalag,
1t cannot be easily or suddenly r.
moved. Yet while it continues. IL
blot on ovrnationl character, and ever
real lover, of freedom, CONFIDENT
hopes that it will be effectually, thong
it must be gradually wiped away; an
earnestly looks for the means. b
which this necessary object may
best attained And until it shall
accomplished, until the time sha
come when we can point without
blush, to the language held in the Deci.
ration Of independence, every friend
humanity will seek to tighten ii
Calling chain of slavery, and bett,
to the utmost ofhis power, the wretcl
ed condition of the slave"
PHILADELPHIA, May 20.