Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1860-10-20

der to form a more perfect Union, establish
IJustice," yes, SIR, establish justice--Ate
Ipfomose the general welfare and to secure
1.-THE blessing Of liberty to ourselves and oul
lpostefity, do ordain and establish this Con.
Istitution for the United States Of America
Those Were the men that had proclaimed t.
the world that All men were created equa
that they were endowed by the Creator
with certain nalienable rights Life, Lib
erty and the pursuit OF Happiness; ano
lcontended even unto death for seven lone
years. Can it be, sir, that these great mel
under cover of those hallowed words, in
tended to make a government that should
outrage justice, and trample upon liberty
as no other government under the wholt
heavens. ever done. This dreadful power
that has compelled the great political par.
ties OF the country to creep in the dust foi
its power; that has debauched to large
extent the Christianity of the nation; that
bids craven priesthood stand with golden
rule in hand and defend the robbing Of
mothers of their babes, and husbands 81
their wives; that bids courts decree MUS
tice. Sir, plant myself upon the coGsti-
sutton, or demand for justice and liberty
and say to this bloody Moloch, away! Sir
the world has never furnished so great q
congregation Of hypocrjtes as those that
formed the constitution, it they designed tc
make it the greatest slave holder, slave
breeder, and slaye-catcher on earth. He i
Il great STAKEHOLDER that has thousand
slaves, but if this law is true exponent 81
the constitution, this government ordained
for justice and liberty, holds four millions 81
Slaves.
No, sir not for the honor Of the fathers
Of my country, | appeal from the bloody
Islave-holding statute to the liberty loving
constitution. While these fathers lived
State after State, in carrying out the spirit
Of the constitution, put an end to the dread
full system. The great Washington, in his
last will and testament, carried out the spir-
it Of the constitution. But, sir, the law un-
der which you may sentence me, violates
both the letter and the spirit Of the consti-
tuition. | have word to say upon the ar
Itces of the constitution which if is claimed
the fugitive slave law is designed to carry
cut. mo person held To service or labor
In one State under the laws thereof, escap-
ing into another, shall in consequence ofapy
law or regulation therein, be discharged
from such service of labor, but shall be de-
livered up on the claim Of the party tc
whom such service or labor is due
That is the provision that is claimed
transforms the government into monster
Of iniquity. | have read over and oyel
that article interpreted by all laws of Ian
guage known to 4 plain man. How these
three or four lines can transform this gov
eminent, ordained to secure justice, into d
mean tool TO aid the plunaerers OF cradles
the destroyers of homes, the rayishers o.
women, and the oppressors OF men, to car
ry on their hellish work-how it can dc
this thing, cannot see. That article binds
the several States separately not to pass 9
certain law, but where in it do we find q
fugitive slave lawg Where do you find a
commissioner? Where do you find that
the government is to hunt up and return al
its own expense a slave that fees from his
cruel and bloody master? Where in those
lines is the authority to compel me to be a
partaker in tie crimes of the man-stealer
The general government is not once men,
toned; but the States in their separate SOW
ereigpties are PANIED. But, sir, this article
expressly provides that the party making
the claim shall haze owed him service oI
labor due from the party GAINED. If jim
Grey owed service or labor, or money, to
Philips, | am tie last man in the world 10
raise INV fsoice or hand to prevent Phillips
or any man from obtaining their dues
What would grant to the devil himself, |
would not withhold even from the slave
holder-his due.
jim Gray claims that he does not owe
Phillips days work or a dollar ofmoney-
Phillips claims that he owes him every days
work that has been deposited in his bones
and sinews; yea, the toll Of his body and
mind both, till death shall end the period Of
stipulated toll. Here is question for le-
Gal examination and Judicial discussion
Does the man Gray owe this 1nan Phillips
ANYTHING. The Constitution is very clear
and very plain in pointing out the way this
question is to be settled.
Article-provides that no person shall be
deprived Of life, liberty, or property with
out due process Of law. That Jim Gray Is
a person. is admitted on all hands. Phil
lips admits it; the bloodhounds, marshals
and attorneys that hunt him, say he IS
persona person held to service. The
amount in Dispute is the liberty and lIfe,
long toll Of a man just entering into the tull
maturity Of manhood. A great question
lies between these men. But Gray, stand
ing on soil covered by. this Constitution,
cannot be robbed Of liberty, or the wages
Of his toll, only by due process OF law
Article - says, expressly, in suit at com
mon law, when the value in controversy
shall exceed twenty dollars, The right Of trial
by jury shall be preserved. Here, sir, is
case involving the question Of liberty and
hundreds OF dollars Of money. The law,
sir, under which appear before you, over
rides these plain provisions, and commits
this whole question to one man, and offers
him i br;be 10 trample right and liberty I'M