Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1857-05-20

RroM The PA;Isa.ipkin Bsse.ia, My s
fancy the ckIcz Ja.. ice AND Nancy ssAe
Lazy eF.
Hss OPINIONS or sIAvrkr AID THK CONSTRUCTION
sasasA IN isln
III The Hon. Roger B. fancy. Chief Justice OF
the Supreme Court OF tie United States, has ia
this year Of grace, 1857, delivered judicial de.
cision affirming divers things-and among
them, that slaves are property according to the
Consultation OF the Unifcd States, that the Ian
guageof the Declaration If Independence about
all men being created free and equal was not
meant TO apply to coiored people; and that in
old times every body 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
Frederick County Court, Maryland, for Sat
tempting to excite INSTRUMENTATION and insur-
rection among slaves by preaching sermon
in which he sets 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 PAM
phlet account of the trial pubiishedin 1919, at
Fredericktown, Nd, by David Martin, and are
now lying before US, we find Mr.. Taney's views
of slavery, of the rights of man and OF the De-
ciaration OF Independence, at that time. For
the benefit of Mr.. Taney's good name, and Tor 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 de-
Tense
Mr.. TANEY SHOWS THE RELATION OF METHoDIsN
TO SLAVERY.
ut IS well known that the gradual and peace
full abolition of slavery in these states is one of
the objects which the Methodist Society have
steadily in view. No STAKEHOLDER is allowed to
be Minister of that Church. Their preachers
are accustomed, in their sermons, to speak of
the injustice and oppression of slavery. The
opinion OF Mr.. Gruber on this subject no body
could doubt. And if any STAKEHOLDER believes
it dangerous to himself, his family, or the COM
muty, 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 prevent them from attending the assemblies
where such doctrines were likely to be preached.
Mr. Gruber did not 60 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
characterize the station he flls-to the respec,
table society of Christians in which he is Min
lister OF the Gospel, not only to defend himself
from this persecution, but also to avow and to
vindicatc 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 right to publish his opinions on the sub
ject whenever he pleases 1t is subject of ma
tional concern, and may at all times be freely
discussed" tass -..4 .....-. ....r .,..s.-g -.
Mr.. TANEf SPEAKS OF SLAVERY, NOT 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 rebnke 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 adherence OF those reptiles, who live by
trading 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 Offend
ing. Shall l content myself" continued Mr..
fancy, with saying he had right TO say this?
that there is no law to punish him. So far is
he from being the objcc, Of punishment in any
form Of proceedings, that we are prepared to
maintain the same principles, and to use, if ne
cessary, the same language here in the temple of
justice, and IN the presence of those who arc
the ministers of the law.
A hard necessity, indeed, compels US to en-
dure the evil of slavery for time. 1t was i'm.
posed upon us by another nation, while we were
yet in state of colonial vassalage. 1t cannot
be easily or suddenly removed. Yet while it
continues, it is blot Oh our national character.
and every real lover of freedom confidently
hopes that it will be ciftctually, though it must
be gradually wiped away; and earnestly looks
for the means by which this necessary object
may be best obtained. And until it shall be ac-
complished; until the time shall come when we
can point without blush to the language held
in the Declaration of Independence every friend
OF humanity will seek to tighten the CALLING
chains OF slavery, and letter, to the utmost Of
his power, the wretched condition of the slave.
Ss"such was MIR. Gruber's object in that part of
his sermon of which am now speaking. Those
who have complained OF him and reproached
him, will not find it easy to answer h'm-unless
complaints, reproaches and persecution shall be
considered an answer" -..
These extracts suffice to show that Mr.. Taney
is, or at least was, much better mar, and a
far more profound lawyer than one would sup
pose IRON reading his decision in the bred Scott
case Let US give Mr. fancy his due.