The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-04-12

cons PERSONAL LIBRRfY BILL AND oUR SLAVE TRAP
FIG AND LEGISLATION CoNrRAsrED.
Tho hall Of the Cooper Institute about onequarter
filed last evening" 70 bear the Rev. Dr. Geo Cheever
lecture on Goods Personal Liberty Bill and Slave
Trsc and Legislation Contrasted part Of the audience
were oolored people.
neghboring philosopher patbetically implor the
contribute literally 70 pay the expenses of
lecture, whereupon collection taken up. The sue
gentleman stated that meeting would be called at N
early day the city, for the purpose OF uniting Christians
OF every denomination association similar TO that In
Worcester Mass TO exercise IL proper influence in the
anti slavery cause.
Prayer was offered up by the Rev. Mr. Plumb.
Dr. Cheever then addressed the audience the follow
ing enect-The Mosaic legislation against slavery
convincing proof Of the Divine dispieasure
WIN slavery The word Of God will have its way la tns
matter cannot be turned aside by any party polt
cal juege It ia duty TO take up the Scriptures and
apply them in the most direct This may bring
IN conflict with many vanies. We have just as much
rPht 10 oppose slavery In the pulpit as we have TO de
your politics, and may thus light and purify the
political atmosphere The burden OF Tie word of God
heavy against the sin OF slavery is full OF fiery denun
cistiors OF IT, When the politicians undertake make
the Prophets speak comfortably in regard to this nlaiy
and 70 sustain the saveocracy must meet Them bold
Bible Is here, AS is everywhere found 10 be- fayor
tsTtatis. II the freedom with which would scatter
the thunder and lightning Of Gods word though
would dispense political organizations, up party
platforms, only say II they can't stand the light they
ought fall the sooner they out the way The better
Let consider something Of the cruelty Of erecting
such nquity into law and the defu consequences OF
Incorporating into national constitution. AT first tue
evil sma it u.s. by the force Of the Dred Scott de-
csioD extended the whole nation. The first decla
ration In the decision Of the Chief Justice In that decision
was falsehoOd. This decision only folowed the decision
Of canniba chief who violently seized upon the estate
ola decedent husband and upon beng rem nstrated with
Tor doing go, replied that he entitled 70 the Ian
cordg TO the laws Of cannibalsm because himself had
killed and eaten up the former proprietor OF the
land. By such decisions the safeguards Of liberty
men, often white as you, dot entitled TO it, Every
man becomes accessory TO the act OF kidnapping who
TO abide by the bred Scott decision. Even If the
Constitution recognizes property In men, 1t nowhere re-
cogpzes tue propriey OF piracy Every day IN which
victim Of the slave trade s held slavery, there
Of the perpeuaon Of that act Of piracy which the egisa
ture and people have punish with death. 1t is
admitted that the slave trade has never ceased
put bas been and is going on with such activity
that the cargo Of 400 Africans recently imported ia said
TO be the third cargo that has been landed in the United
States during the last six months Toe and
the officers Of the governpent the judges sheris mar
shas all the people assisting consentiug
existence of slavery have been themselves the mere
that pound OF flesh due, because the whole African
race had been wronged By what Christian diaboism s
such condition OF things sustained? the bottomless pit
could not belch forth Sevish doctrine There
words that can describe the enormity OF the
inquty Of slavery; it is horrible transnutation OF rob
berry into legal right The North ia in completely With
| the South in this matter. Northern merchants
| take security for their goods in Southern slaves
Our national political organization under this system
like a wormeaten ship, ready to be driven down by
storms. Slavery makes government but machine for
The action of despoc devil which supported By calf
kissing consciences II this evil Is not stopped then
country the 10 the mist horrible desposm the
world has ever known. Can treat the system Of
slavery with rose~ater? Can Gods minister's
all knowledge of this inquts Never unless dare
hazard the thunder of Gods wrath be hurled against
Now, compare the fugitive slave law Of God 10 the
Hebrews the fugitive slave aS VI the Unted States
FIRST the Hebrew law was thai al lost things should be
restored to their owners. All stolen or lost chattels
such a Sheep were to be delivered TO their
ii
the Hebrews they would have in like manner been
restored TO their masters. But what says the law?
thou shalt not deliver unto his the ser
which has escaped from his master unto thee; he
shall dwell among you. II a man steal an sheep
XIII sell II, he ehall restore five for
~ was thus punished and II men then bought and
sold cbaels the thief would have been bound
at least five slaves for slave stolen Again the prophet
'He that stealeth and seeth If he be
found his hands, be shall surely be put to death -
Tie lecturer then went TO compare these provisions
dnouncne the latter. He referred to and woman
now being held in jail in Washington because they had
merely sheltered and given iood 10 thar own children
The children Of four millions OF persons, said he,
held slaves Docs infant, child service
1t be held to service the constitution says? mol IL ia
most damnable lie And If there q constitution re
ccgnzpg and perpctuating each crime it would
psu to humanity and ought to be abolished and burned
up from of the face Of the earth. The Personal Lbert,
bill is before our Legislature, and God guide
sustain the Legislature till this important and s1fcien
statute lie completely and fully enacted behalf OF the
the power Of the slavearchy and plant upon ring o.
Gre that slave trader will dare seek his servant
this soil. Let hisclam Of property be mace criminal
| as God has made it,