The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-08-19
Christian Anti-slavery Convention.

proval, these accomplished young men.
---~-----.-.-,--s--a
Christian Anti-Slavery Convention,
This Convention which met in Columbus.
on the 10th inst, was attended by mum.
Der of able and distinguished mon, among
whom were Hon. J. Il Giddngs and Prof.
II. L. Peck. Tho Convention adopted u
series of Resolutions, an Address, aud Il
plan OF future operations We give the
Resolutions, and regret that We hayo not
room for tho entire proceedings:
|. RrsOiUed. That tho natural law, giving
to eyory human being tho right to live. to
that liberty which is necessary to cherish
and protect life. obtain knowledge aud pre-
pare for Heaven, is but the clearly revealed
will OF God
2 That to onslavo innocent men and
women, paralyziug the moral faculties shut
ting out the light of truth from the under.
standing aud compelling them to drag out
an earthly existence amidst the gloom aud
darkness of moral death constitutes ono OF
tho most aggravated violations nt Gods will.
enc of the most momentous crimes presented
to human consideration.
q. That tho turpitudo Of this crimo rcsts
on all who capture, onslavc, import, sell.
purchase, hold, re capture, or re Cuslayc
human beings on all who aid, encourage,
pass, approve. or cnfnrce cuacttncuts for
tho capture. cnslaving. holding. re. capture.
or rC. cuslavnCnt of Gods images and the
persons thus offending will DC held respon-
slblo at the bar of God.
That Governments are constituted
among men to secure the enjoyment OF
human rights, and they bold no just author
ity to violate the will of God toy dcpriving
the humbIcst individual of his IIborty; that
Congress in passing tho fugitive slave act of
1890 conferred no right upon slave catchcrs
to capture or cnslavc. 10 10 capture or re
cnsHyo mon. nor dId thoy impose upon any
person tho duty to submit 20 such capture
or enslavomcnt. nor is tho law of GOd nor
tbc iualablo right Of man, changed or mod
fled by such cnactments. nor arc our chris
tlan Guties to feed tho hungry. clotho the
naked, protect and defend tho laws and
liberties Of ourselves and follow men, i'm
paired or changed by the enactment
3 That said Fugitive Slave Act does not
command that which is right. nor does il
forbid that which is wrong-it comes within
no description of law and proposes no Cs.
scntial element Of lnw--t is an assertion ut
the will of slave holders. and not tho will OF
God il is the mandate of dcspotism, and not
tho statute or tho idtc ut christian people
to maintain it is TO Uphold slavery IN Its
most revolving tcnturCs--to permit lis on.
tOrcrmCnt on the soil of OhO constitutes a
surrender of the rights and tho dignity OF
our State. and tho liberties of our people.
4 That Irrespective of pulItical organi.
-. -
who hcsitatcs to assert. and o the extent ot
his religious. moral aud political Influence
maintains tho right of our State aud il.
! people to be entirely lustrdtcd and cXonp
| from tho expense, the guilt and the dlsgrac,
| of supporting the slavery Of other states.
| 7. RcsoiU,d. That it is the duty of chris
tians. and of christian ministers to bca
faithful Testimony against the sin of slavery
eCc iesiasticatlv. socially aud politically
through the pulpit and tho religious press
and to carry the wrongs of the oppressed t,
the throne of grace in importunute prayer
that God may speedily deliver them tha
arc in bonds.
s Resoirrt. That to hGve any voluntnr
agency, official or otherwise. in tho re
capture or rendition Of fugitive slave, i
Incompatible with Ch h'istian character, an,
unless rcpcntcd of, should be punished b
cxcomnuncatiOn in the case of any churcl
member guilty of tho crime against human
ity and God; that this Convention do there
fore approve of tho net Of excsiOn passC
recently by tho Market ST. Baptist Churc
OF NrnosvIIlc, Musklngum county. against
member who. in the capacity of Deputy [
5. Marshal restored fugitive to his claim
ant in Virginia
9. R,s'irPd, That the example of til
Obe,Iin. Wellington RcScucrs in puticntI
suffering long Imprisonment for thci
: noble disregard of the unconstitutional an
unchristian Fugitive Slave Act not accept
iug deliverance on any terms that wuuIC
compromise principle and weaken the mora
effect of their act and testimony. and inall
triumphing over the Government. an,
gaining release honorable to themselves
but disgracotui To their prosecutors. AM
humiliatng to the slave power, meets gu
| hearty commentators, and calls forth on
gratitude to God. whose wisdom guided am
whose grace sustained them.