Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-07-24

re doctrines be not immoral if they be not cclcula
re ed to disturb the peace and good order of socie
he had an undoubted right to preach them in sue
r language as seemed proper to him. The feelint
or the fears Of his hearers could not take this rg
n from him. But he was accused Of preaching in
g moral and dangerous doctrine. lie IL charge
ri with an attempt to excite insubordnation and il
}, surrectiOn among th eslaves and the intention
k the preacher is the essence of the crime an
Y though his language or doctrines might help
j show his intention, they cannot constitute the o
r renee. 1t was necessary, in order TO suppoI
r the prosecution, to prove the intention.
But though Mr. Gruber's language continue
Mr' Ianey) was evidence of his intention it wa
not conclusive IL may be robutted by other tesli
. mony equally strong. lie has a right to refer Il
the general scope nf his sermon to the occasion O,
which it was preached, to the character of the au
dience, to the opinions of the Church to which bt
belongs, to the history of his own life, as proof,
/ Of his innocence.
|, Mr.. Gruber had been q minister of the Metbo
ulst Episcopal Chuch for twenty wears and had
Dnrne spOtiess character. One Of the objects OF
me church was the gradual and peaceabie abcli.
tion OF slavery in the United States and its preach
ers were accustomed in their sermons to sneak Of
the injustice and oppression Of slavery If any
s,aVehoider deemed 1t dangerous to suffer his
slaves to learn that oil slavery is unjust and on
/ pressive, or could persuade himself that they
would not themselves 5e able to make the discoy.
cry, he could keep from going whore such doctrines
were likely to be preached
Sir. Gruber's address was directed particular.
y to tie masters. 1t sought to reform their hearts
1t may be said to have been iniudicious mnolitic
dangerous likely to produce characterization among
the slaves but it his motives were pure if he
was innocent OF any design to produce this mis-.
chief, he would still be entitled to an acoui;tal
for he is not on trial for preaching doctrines calcu
lated to disturb the peace and order of society
Such is summary Of Mr. Taney's speech thus
] for w., H.. r
Tor this is the gis Of his speech so far as it con
Germs his opinions upon slavery.
"But the Reverend gentleman" continues Mr.
fancy, in his own reported language. "merits
defence on very different principles The coun,
sci to whom he has confled his cause could not
content themselves with cold and reluctant ac,
quittal, and abandon Mr. Gruber without defence
to all the obloquy and reproach which his enc.
mics have indusiriousiy and mos. unjustly heap.
ed upon him. Ne cannot consent to buy his safe
ty by yielding to passion, prejudice and avarice
the ccntrol OF future discussions on q great and i'm
portant question. lie must not surrender up the
civil and religious rights secured to him, in COM
mon with others, by the Constitution Of this most
favored nation. Mr.. Gruber feels that it it is due
to his own character to the station he fills to the
respectable society of Christians of which he is
a minister of the Gospel, not only 80 defend him.
self from this prosecution, but also to avow and to
vinGicate here the principles he maintained in his
sermon.
There is no law that forbids us to speak OF
slavery az we think of it. Any man has a 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 Mr.
Gruber did quote the language of our great act
OF National Independence, and insisted on the
principles contained in that venerated instrument
lie did rebuke those masters wbo in the exer.
else OF their power, are deaf to the calls of hu-
manity; and he warned them of the evils thew
m ipbf brin ham Ia "a
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 offending.
"Shal content myself" continued Mr.. Taney,
with saying lie had Il right to say this That
there is no law to punish him? So far is he
from being the object of punishment in any form
of proceeding, that we are prepared to maintain
the principles, and to use, if necessary, the same
language here in the temple of justice, and in the
presence OF those who are the ministers of the
law.
"a hard necessity, indeed, compels us to en-
dure the evil of slavery for II time. 1t was mpos-
ed upon us by another nation while we were yet in
q state of colonial vassalago. 1t cannot 6e easily .
or suddenly removed, Yet, while it continues it .
is blot on our national character, and every real
lover Of freedom confidently hopes that it will be
though is must be gradually wiped \
this necessary tject may be best attained. And
until it shall be accomplished, until the time shall
come when we point without blush to the Ian
"a a &c held in the Declaration of Independence
every friend of humanity will seek to Tighten the
CALLING chain of slavery, and better to the utmost
Of his power the wretched condition of the
slave Such was Mr.. Grubers ect in that part
of his sermon Of which | am now speaking"
The rest of Mr.. Taney's speech is devoted to an
explanation Of the reasons why ne advised his
client to remove his cause to the Frederick County
Court.
We ought not to close this account of this re.
markable trial without some notice of Mr.. Gruber's
own vndcation OF his course, and of the able
spc eehes of Messrs Pigman and Martin in his
behalf but we must reserve this for another oc,
cason. Meantime we have the pleasure to inform
our readers that the above sketch Of this trial
and extract from Mr.. Taney's speech, are taken
from pamphlet of Ill pages small duodecimo,
entitled Trial of the Rev. Jacob Gruber, Minister
in the Methodist Episcopal Church. at the March
term, 1919, in the Frederick County Court. for
a misdemeanor, by David Martin, Minister of the
Gospel. Hide me from the secret counsel Of the
wicked from the resurrection of the workers of
iniauity,' &c.-Psalms. But our rulers can have
authority over such natural rights orly as we
have submitted to them, ,&c.--Jefferson, FreGrick
town NJ D.: Published by David Martin. Geo.
Kolb Printer, lSl9."-. Tribune.