The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-07
MORE DEVELOPMENTS OFTREAsoN
Rev. Theodore Parker's Manifesto.
LETTER FROM THEODORE PARKER TO FRIEND IN


ROME, Nov "a, 1859.
see by recent telegraph which the steamer OF No.
brought from Boston that the Court found
Brown guilty. and passed sentence upon him. 1t Is said
Friday, December 2 fixed the day for hanging him
So, long before this reaches you, my friend viii have
passed on TO the reward Of his magn public ser
Wees and his pure, upright private lite. am Lot vol
enough be the minister any congregation least Of
to one Ike that which for 30 many years. helpsd my
eighth Congregational Society in Boston needs minister
not bali dead but alive all over and yet while reading
the accounts Of the affair at Harpers Ferry, and OF the
say pgs certain ut Boston, whom you and know
only too well, could not help wishing was at home
again what remnant OF power ID left to me in
defence Of the true and the right
America is rich in able men, IN skful WRITER'S In ready
accomplished speakers. But how few dare treat
public affairs with references to the great principles of jus
lice, and the American democracy nay, few with ree-
renee any remote future, or even with comprehen
sye survey Of the present Our public writer's ask what
eject will this opinion have on the democratic party,
the republican party; how will affect the next Presiden-
tia election what will the great State Of Pennsy ania,
or Ohio or New York say itg This is very urforll
for ALL especially when the people have TO deal
practically and thus speedily question concerning
the very OF democratic institutions in America
for is not TO be denied that must give up democracy,
we keep slavery; or give up slavery If we keep demo-
cracy.
greatly depore this state things Our able men fail
periors their natural function give valgaoe
ton advise to the people, ana at the tmo they
debase and degrade themselves The harrahs aui The
Offices they get are poor compensation for fasenss to
their consciences.
In my best estate do not pretend to mach pocal
wisdom, and still less while s,,x, bat wish yet to
down few thoughts for your private They
at least the result of long meditation the subject be
sde they not at all new peculiar me- but
part Of the public knowledge Of all enlightened men,
THE PHILOSOPHICAL PoSrULATES OF TREASON.
L. A held against his will as slave has a nsural
right 10 Kill every one who seeks to prevent his enjoy
Of liberty. This has long been recognized as sell
evident proposition, coming so directly from tue prmi-
tive instincts OF human nature that neither requires
proofs admitted them.
Il may be natural duty o. the slave to eveope this
natural right in practical manner and actua y xiii all
those no IN
II he continue patiently in sonoage FIRST, he entails the
fous. of his children; and, second, he encou
RACES other to commit the crime against nature which
he allowed ms master to commit II Is my duty TO
preserve my body from starvation. II fal thereof
through sloh not only die, but incur the contempt and
oahing Of my acquautances while live. II Is not less
my duty do all that Is In my power 70 preserve my
cow sar os become 70 ana
suffer what thrs.com nfcts, but Incur also contempt
and lcathipg Of my acqnaintances. Why do ireemen
ssorn AID tespsc slavei Because they think his
dition sign OF his cowardce and believe that he ought
to prefer death TO bondage The Southerners hold the
Africans IN great contempt though mothers of their chill
drcn. Why Simply because the Africans slaves I;
that H. because the Africans fail 70 perform the natural
duty % Securing @ py T y ,ds beo Ss
recover their liberty and IN that enterprise to do for
the IN all which they have right to do for themselves.
This statement, Think requires no argument or illus
i, may be natural duty for the freeman to help the
slaves 10 the enjoy men OF their liberty, and
to that end aid them IN killing all SUCH oppose their
natural freedom
II you attacked by wolf should not only have
right TO aid you in getting rid of that enemy, but il
would my duty 10 help you in proportion to my power
II murderer, and not woH, who attacked you
the duty would be still the same. Suppose II is not a
dcrer who would kill you, but akidnapper who would
epsave, make less my duty to help You out
OF the bands Of your enemyp Suppose II is not kid
napper who would make you q boniman, but = slave
holder who would keep you one, does that remove my
obligation 10 help your
g. The performance of this duty is u be controlled by
the ircemans power and opportunity to help the slaves
Qhe impossible Is never the obligatory cannot help
10 try can help those who escape to my own ncghbor
hood and ought 10 DO Ny duty Is commensurate
with my power, and my power increases, my duty
enlargcs along with II. If could help the bondmen N
Virginia their freedom easily aud csctualy
aid the runaway at my osn door, then ought 10 do
These I've maxms have direct application 70 America
this day, and the people Of the free States
dm perception thereof which, fortunately, Is becom
irg clearer every year.
INSTRUCTIONS MUST INCREASE.
Thus tho people OF Massachusetts feel that they ought
10 protect the fugitive slaves who into State
Hence come ~ irregular attempts TO their
liberty and the declarations Of noble men, Ike Timothy
Gilbert and others, that they will do great per-
sopa risk and 2 the statute laws made by the Lsgsls-
ture 10 accomplish that end
Now, II Massachusetts bal the power 10 do rs much
for the slaves in Virginia runaways In her own
territory should those Two OF
Of work in that direction also.
I and IL n said in the democrats newspapers thai
captain Brown bad many friends at tho North. who
sympal.ized with him In general, and in special sp
proved Of this PARTICULAR cheme ol his, but they fur