The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-07-11
Chief Justice Taney's View OF slavery |
ana the Combination In lsIe.-.A Res.
uPe0tions ia>Ie ftvs.

Cn1et JustIce Vouey'D view Oh Slovory
ana me COnstitation In IsIs.-.A Res,
The Philadelphia Bulletin, of May 5th
says: The Hon. Roger B. TAney, Ohiel
Justic of the Supreme Court Of the United
States, has in this year of grace 1857, deliv-
cred 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 to col.
ored people ; and that on oldtimes everybody
believed these doctrines. -
In the year 1918, Rev. Jacob Gruber, q
minister Of the Baltimore Conference of the
Methodist Episcal Church, was tried the in FIRE.
derrick county Court, Maryland, for attempt
ing to excite insubordnatien and insurrec-
ton among slaves by preaching 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 the defense and in a
pamphlet account Of the trial, published in
1929, at Frederick town, Md, by David
Martin, and now lying before lis, we find Mr.
Taney's views of the rights of man, and of
the Declaration of Independence, at all times
For the benefit of Mr.. Taney's good name,
and for the purpose Of letting every one COM
pare his former opinions with his recent de-
cisiOn, we offer few extracts from his OPEN
ing speech for defense.
Mr.. TANEY SHOWS THE RELATION OF METHOD
ISM TO SLAVERY.
"You have already been told that Mr..
Gruber is a Minister of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, and it is not necessary to tell
you, that the religious society to which he
belongs, is nearly Us numerous as any other
society of Christians in the State, and the
equal of any other in the general order and
decorum of their behavior, in their moral de-
partment, and in their habits of obedience
to the laws. 1t was at a very early period of
his life that Mr.. Gruber became member of
this cociety, and took upon himself the du-
ties of Minister of the Gospel. In this vo-
cation he has faithfully labored for more than
twenty years, and he now fills post of high
rank and great confidence in his church, the
reward of his fervent piety and unwearied
zeal. We shall prove to you by most res
pectable witness, Minister of the same
Church. whose duty it has often been, accor-
ding to the discipline of that society, to ex-
anime into the conduct and character of the
accused, that during the whole course of his
ministry,the Reverend gentleman who is now
on his trial has sustained character of spot
less integrity
alt is we'll known that the gradual and
peaceable abolition of slavery in these States
is one of the objects which the Methodist
Society have steadily in view. No slave
holder is allowed to be Minister of the
Church. The preachers are accustomed in
their sermons, to speak of the opinion of Mr..
Gruber on this subject, nobody could doubt.
And if any STAKEHOLDER believed it dangerous
to himself, his family, or the community, to
suffer his slaves to learn that all slavery is
unjust and oppressive, and persuaded himself
that they would not of themselves be able to
make the discovery, it was in his power to
prevent them from attending the assemblies
where such doctrines were likely to be preach
ed, Mr.. Gruber did not go to the slaves );
they came to him. They could not have
come, if their masters had chosen to prevent
them.
He vINDIcATES FREE SPEECH.
"Mr. Gruber feels that it is due to his own
character, to the station he fills. to the re-
spectacle society of the christians to which
he is minister of the Gospel not only to de
fend himself from this prosecution, but also
q VOW and vindicate here, the principals he
maintained in his sermon. There is no law
that forbids US to speak of slavery as we
think of it. Any man has right to publish
his opinions on that subject whenever he
pleases. 1t is subject Of national concern,
and may at all times be freely discussed.
MIR. TANEy SPEAKS OF sLAvERY-Nor AS A
LAWYER, BUT IN HIS OWN NAME.
"Mr. Gruber did quote the language of
our great act of National Independence, and
insisted on the principles contained in that
venerated instrument. He did not 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
torrance of these reptiles who live by ira
ding in human flesh, and enrich themselves
by tearing the husband from the wife-the
infant from the mother; and this I am in
structed was the head and front of his often
ding. Shall | content myself, continued Mr..
fancy, with saying that he had right to
say this? that there is no law to punish him?
ico I'LL 10 ~ IL ou UClJS tuC OUDcCC vi pulllSu-
ment in any form of proceedings, that we are
prepared to maintain the same principles, and
and to use, if necessary, the same language
here in the temple of justice, andin the pres
ence Of those who are the ministers of the
law. A hard necessity, indeed, compels us
to endure the evils 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 blot
on our national character, and every real low
er of freedom confidently hopes that 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 attained. And until it shall be accom-
plished, until the time shall come when we
can point without blush to the language
held in the Declaration of independence, ev-
cry friend of humanity will seek to tighten
the CALLING chain of slavery, and better, to
the utmost Of his power, the wptched con-
dition of the slave