Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-08-12

Christian Anti-sinvery Convention
This body met at Columbus on the ION,
and temporarily organized by the appointment
Of Rev. A. A. Guthrie, Of Putnam, Chairman,
au II B. spellman, Of Cleveland, Secretary.
l. following committee on resolutions was
appointed.-w G. Finney, Rev. L. N. McAbee,
Rev J. A. Tbome, Hon. J r. Giddings, Rev.
j. Macready, Rev Adam Crooks, Hon. J.
s Carpenter, Rev w II. Brewster, Rev. }.
A Pinney, Rev. John Rankin and Rev John
Boggs
The remainder Of the morning session was
occupied with religious services, singing
prayers, informal speaking, etc Prof Peck
alluded to the remark of the Chairman, that
the leading feature Of the new anti slavery
movement was prayer, and several gentlemen
spoke briefly, usually to the effect that this
Convention marked a new era in the anti-s slave
ry cause, and taking Prof Peck's view of the
matter. Rev John Keep compared the present
Convention with one lie had attended in Coium-
bus in the infancy of the anti slavery move.
ment, and found great encouragement in the
difference.
At the afternoon session the Committee on
Permanent Organization reported as follows;
Presdent-A. A. Guthrie; Vice Presidents,
Hon j. r. Giddings, Hon. J. s. Carpenter,
Rev. A. Crooks, Rev. John G.. Fee, Rev, Geo.
Oianoey Rev J S. Macready, Rev. d. A. Ran
dali, Rev. John Boggs.
Secretaries-H. B. Spellman, Rev W. B.
Watkins.
The Committee on Resolutions reported the
following, which were read by the Rev Mr..
Thome;
ReSolDei. That the natural law, giving to
every human being the right to live, TO that
liberty which is necessary to cherish and pro-
tcct life, obtain knowledge and prepare tot
Heaven, is but the clearly revealed viii OF
God
2 That to enslave innocent men and women,
paraly zing the moral faculties, shutting out tue
light of truth from the understanding, and
compelling them TO drag out an earthly exist.
ence amidst the gloom and and darkness OF
moral death, constitutes one OF the most ag
gravated violations of Gods will, one OF the
most momentuous crimes presented to hnman
consideration.
3. That the turpitude of this crime rests on
all who capture, ensave, import, sell, purchase,
hold re capture, or re-enslave human BEINGS
on all who aid, encourage, pass, approve. or en-
force enactments for the capture, enslaVng
holding, recapture, or re-enslavng Gods I'M
ages, and the persons thus offending will be
held responsible at the Bar of God
l. That governments are constituted among
men TO secure the enjoyment Of human rights
and they hold no authority TO violate the VIII
of G cd by depriving the humblest individual ol
bis liberty; that Congress in passing the lugi-
rtff mr.
slave catchers to capture OF enslave, to recap
ture or re-enslave men, nor did they impose
upon any person, the duty to submit to such
capture or enslavement, nor is the law OF God
nor the inalenable right of man, changed ol
modified by such enactments, nor are oul
christian duties to feed the hungry, clothe th'
naked, protect and defend the laws and liberties
of ourselves and fellow men, impaired o.
changed by the enactment.
s. The said Fugitive Slave Act does not com
maud that which is right nor does u FORBID
that which is wTong-lt comes within no dc
scnptOn of law and possesses no essential ele-
ment of law-it is an assertion OF the Will OF
slave holders, and not the will Of God; 1t is the
mandate of despotsm ami not the statute or
the LAW OF a Christian people, to maintain II
is to uphold slavery in Its worst and most re-
volting ieatures-to permit its enforcement on
the soil of Ohio, constitutes surrender OF the
rights and dignity OF our State and the hber-
ties of our people.
g. That irrespective of political organza-
tions, we will vote for no man for Office who
hesitates to assert and to the extent Of his se-
ligious, moral and political influence, maintains
the right of our State and its people to be en-
tirely ustrated and exempt from the expense
the guilt and disgrace OF supporting the sla'e'y )
of other States.
4 After debate, the wording Of the first reso
luton was changed so as to make it read that
slavery is one of the greatest crimes, instead
of the greatest. The second was adopted with
out debate The third was debated by Rev
Mr. Rankin, Rev. Mr.. Gordon, Rev Mr.. Fee, o
Kentucky, Rev. Mr.. Perkins, Prof Peck, anc
Hon. J. R. Giddings and others. The resolu
ton was verbally amended so to declare thai
the fugitive act did not contain the essentia
elements of law, and unanimously adopted.
Before adjournment to the second day, the
following committee was appointed to report d
plan of future opera ions;
Rev. E. H. Farchilj, Rev, W. A. Brewster
Hon. ] s. Carpenter, Jacob Emrick, ESQ
Rev John G. Fee, Rev VIM, Geer, Rev. Da
vid Craig Dr. Geo L. Weed, David Sinsabaugh
Esq.
OF the Convention, the State journal, from
whose full report we have condensed the above
says--"A very large number from abroad wer
present, also large audience from the city,
The addresses were profoundly interesting
and Listened to with appreciative attention.
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