New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-06-26
s,sres Of as eoGnse to be tired a. the Mach Term,
1919.
The esse having come CD Mr.. Anderson, the Ator-
nsy for the State, reminded tie Jury that hb ry Of

rsy for the State, reminded tie Jury that bib ry Of
option and speech vas The privileges Of every citizen
that Il Mr.. Gruber had criminal intent in biz sernon
lie hai committee DO off 5nse snd that il was their
province 70 judge OF this question. Wbs an hooora-
bic example for prosecutors under slave laws now
s-iays 20 follow
Cougsel 70. the sccusej. Mr.. TiSEY. now Chief
Justice Of the United States, Mr. PigmAn and Mr.
Martin, the ls;ter Methodist preacher
The whence on elslf OF the Ststs, well thst
on the pArt OF Mr. GIbsr, substantially susaiced The
prsscteIs report OF bis sermon. Not particle OF
proof s3duced 20 'how q criminal intent, while all
the testimony II his bebaf ~ est sbsh It's utter
sb.erce. The s,ste's Attorney did not even argue
the Gaze but to lae Jury tba. he never could con-
mt ccntrsry 20 his Conscience snd tle best hight OF
bis osn Judgment, 20 any effort to c,nvct any
d" men II an Offe use charged sgs,rst him, when ne
thought 6om the evidence. that taere was no crime
committed.
Mr.. Marin, Nr. Pigman and Mr.. fancy, however,
each addressed the JuIy, when they retired or iss
moments sid returned Eith verdict OF Nor GUILTY.
The speeches OF Messrs. Martin ard Pigmsn have
been preserved bu; Mr.. Tsueys closing addressed
WA never written cut Tiug IL appears ~ III heath.
We have, however, his opetiog spAech 10 the Jury
on tne par, Of Mr. Gfuber ard frequent reference
bas been sde 10 It since the Drsd Scott decsion, we
propose TO give such parts OF Il entire as WI tnrow
light upon his early opininns the Slavery question.
The prosecution, said Mr.. fancy. WAS without pre-
cedeDt in tie udlcsl annals OF Msrylsnd The rights
of conscience and the freedom of speech were fully
protected By the liberal and happy lostations of the
State. No an can be prosecuted for preaching the
articles Of hs religious creed, unless his doctrine is
ia moral ard cacnlaed 20 disturb the peace and order
of society Subjects Of national policy may at all
times be freely and fully discussed in the pulpit or
elsewhere. without limitation or restraint. IL Mr..
Grub.rs crimes De not immoral il they be not CAL
ouatsd 20 the peace aud good order Of society
he had an unioubted tight 70 preach them In such
language as seemed proper To him. The feelings or
the fears of bis hearers could not take this right fom
bin. Bu. he was rot accused Of prescaiDg immoral
or dangerous doctrine. lie Is charged With al ttempt
n excite STANDARDIZATION and Instruction among the
slaves and the Intention of tee preacher Is the essence
OF the crime, and though his language or doctrines
might help 20 show bis Intention, tuey cannot conti
tute the ofense 1t was sary, in order to sup
port the prosecution. TO prove the Intention.
But though Mr.. Grubers language Continued Mr..
Tapey evidence of his intention, it not
elusive. Il may be rebu:.ed by other Testimony
equally strong He has right to refer 20 the general
scope Of his sermon 10 the occasion on which was
pre- ached to the character Of the audience, ID tle
opinions The Church to which he longs aud 70 the
history of his own life, proofs of hin innocence.
Mr. Gruber had been mios,er OF the Methodist
EpseOpal Church for twenty ye,rs, and had oOrne q
spotess character One Of the objects of bis Cnurch
was the gradual and pesceabls abolition OF Slavery IN
the United Ststes ard s preachers were accustomed
in their sermons TO speak Of the justice aod oppres-
zion of Slavery. IL any STAKEHOLDER deemed Il dan
ge, ous TO suffer his slaves 10 learn that all Slavery il
urjust an oppre ssive could persuade himself tina
they would not Of them elves be able TO make the dis
coyeIy, he could keep them from going where such
soc.rpts were likely to BE- preached.
NJ! Gruber's address was directed particularly 70
the masters. IL sought to reform their hearts. 1t
may be said 10 have been DjudciOus impcltlc, Ian
g.rous likely ~ produce insub0rdlnatiOn among the
slaves but il his motives pure, if he WAS inuo-
cent of any design TO produce this mischief he would
still be entitled TO An scqutta for be Is not on trial
for preaching doctrines calculated to disturb the pace
and order of society.
such rs the summary of Mr.. Taney's speech thus
far We now give what follows in his own words, Tor
this ia the gt of bis speech far as concerns his
own opinions upon Slavery.
But the Reverend gentlemsn, continues MIR. Ia
ney 10 his reported language, "merits defense
OIL very ierent principles. The counsel 10 whom he
has col fded hs cause could not content themselves
with cold and reluctant acquttal, and abandon Mr.
Ginber without defense 10 ell the oboquy and reprosch
which his enemies have in6ustriou-ly and most I'M
justy heaped npon hun. We cannot consent to buy
his safety by yielding to passion, prejudice and ava
the control Vt future discussions on tins great and
important question. He must not surrender up the
civil spd religious rights secured to hin, in common
with Others by the Constitution of this most favored
nation. Mr.. Gruber feels that IL is das 70 his owa
character TO the station be Cir, TO the respectable
society Of Christians of which he s minister OF the
Gospel not only to defend himself from this prosecu
top but also u avov and to viadcate here the prln-
cpe- he ms in aimed 10 bis sermon.
- There ia no law that orbids to speak of Slsv
~
IL his opoiOIs that sub &C, whenever he please
u lie PM j-ct Of pa.Ons con5ern, AMI msy at all
tines be freely discussed. Mr.. q uoer did qlo'e the
lar guoge of great act Of National Independence,
and insisted on the prncps contained 10 thai vener'
a,ed Instrument. lie did rebute those masters who,
in the exercise f their power, de,f TO the calls OF
hurn-ni.y, sd hA vs'nAh them q the evils they
mig bit briOg upon themselves. He did ,poeh v'sh ab
borrerce If thOie reptiles who live by tradog in
human flesh snd enrich themselves By tearing the
husband from the WIFE the infant from the bosom OF
the mother; and THE, am instructed, was the head
and front Of bis Otfe noDg.
" Shell | content myself" continued Mr.. Tsuey
" with saying, he bad rghttO say this That there
is DO law TO punish him Sd far Ia be from being the
object Of punishment in any form Of proceeding that
VS. pared TO maintain the same principles, and
to USE if DecessaIy, the same language here ia the
temple of justice, and 10 the presence Of those who
are the ministers OF the law.
"A herd necessity, indeed, compels US 10 endure
the evil Of Slavery tor time. II was imposed upon
us by another nat ID while were yet 10 state OF
colonial vessasge ID cannot be sasly or suddenly
removed. Yet, while it continues, it Is a blot
on our national character, and every real lover
Of freedom confidently hopes that 1t will BE- ell
lsctuelly though 1t mutt bs grsduily wiped
away and eernesby looks for the mesos by which
tbis Necessary object may be best attained.
And, until 1t shall De accomplished, until the tine
cha come when We can point without blush 10 the
language held in the Declaration OF Independence
every fepd OF humanity will seek 10 Tighten the gall
ing cban of Slavery ard better 10 tho utmost OF nis
poser the wretched condition OF the slave. Such was
Mr Gruber's object in that part Of his sermon OF
which AN now speaking"
1be rect OF Mr. Taneys speech Is devoted 70 an
exclamation Of the ressoDs Why he advised Biz client
10 remove his cause 70 the Frederick County Court
We ought not to close this account Of this remark
able tIal without some notice Of Mr.. Grubers own
yndcation Of his course and Of the able speeches Of
Metsrs Pigu,n sno Marin in his behalf but We must
reserve this for another occasion Meantime We have
the plsuure TO inform our readers that tho above
sketch Of this trial, ana extract from Mr.. fancy