Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-01-28
No tbe PeopIe of the Upited states.

| 40 lub EeODiB OF the Dnlleu 6lhlB6s
The attention of Christians and all lovers
of liberty is respectfully called to the follow
ing facts and considerations;
We, the undersigned, residents Of Berea,
Madison county, Kentucky, on the 23d day
of December, 1859, were waited upon by six
| ty-two of the most wealthy and influential
citizens Of the county, who informed US that
they had been appointed by the people to re-
move US from the State, and that, if we were
found within its borders at the expiration of
ten days, they should expel us by force.
| We were charged with the violation of no
law, but told that the spread of anti-slavery
sentiments (which we held) endangered their
institutions. We were engaged as farmers,
artisans, teachers and ministers, maintaining
ourselves by our own industry, 1.-TWO of us as
ministers receiving partial support from the
American Missionary AssOciatiOn,) with no
heated zeal for any .ism,n but endeaVoring
quietly to promote the cause of Christ. We
believed, and did not hesitate to declare, when
the occasion demanded, that slavery was
moral and social evil, which it was the duty
of all good men to oppose. We set ourselves
against the spirit of caste, and labored to
suppress all feelings of hostility between non
Shareholders and Shareholders between slaves
and masters. In all things we sought wis
dom from above, and aimed to exercise that
wise discretion which is especially needed by
those who hold unpopular opinions.
By the testimony of shareholders, many of
whom we reckon among our personal friends
and well Wishers, our presence and labors had
so changed that part of the county, that it
had become as noted for the upright conduct
of its inhabitants as it had once been for
horse-racing and intemperance. We had
founded Literary Institution which was re-
ceiVing liberal patronage from all classes.
The settlement at Berea was increasing in
numbers and Importance, when, at the news
of the Harper's Ferry foray, wonderful panic
seized the people of the county, which was
increased by printed announcements, that it
had been discovered that an insuEection was
soon to break out in Kentucky, and that a
box of Shapes rifles, directed to one of our
number, had been intercepted, and by other
declarations equally false until perfect torrent
of rage was stirred up against our community,
already obnoxious because Of its influence in
| favor of fIeedom. Honorable men, many of
them shareholders, and the mass of the people
within a few miles of u.s. opposed this tide,
/ but were unable to diGlish its power. Finding
| themselves unable to check the rage of infuri-
ated men, and that there was no protection for
US by law, although we were not charged with
the Infringement of single statute, they with
perfect unanimity advised US TO retire for
time, before the storm. Thinking it the part of
wisdom to yield to the united request of our
friends, whose counsel had the greater weight
| from the fact that our departure would be to
their pecuniary disadvantage, and learning
| from various reliable sources that rabble, be-
yOnd the control of the Committee who waited
upon us, were purposing to take the lives of
some of US if we remained we believed it to
be our duty, though in mid-Winter, TO leave
the county. Accordingly, we find ourselves
to-day, with our wives and little ones, homes
less, and separated from the people with whom
we hoped TO live and die. ~ lf
Under these circumstances, we feel con-
strained to address to you a few words. We
do not desire to stir up your anger against our
prosecutors, for we feel confident that they
know not what they do; nor do we wish es-
pecislly to ask your sympathies in our behalf,
but rather that you consider your duty as
Christians and patriots, to that multitude of
other persons who in various ways are the
victims of the system Of Slavery. 5 J 4
There are still Out-spoken anti-slavery men
and churches 10 the South, like ourselves. unS
protected hy law. They, as well as ourselves,
have in vain sought the protection Of magis
tratcs and courts, and are daily liable to banish-
ment, or as the alternative, death. Thousands,
if not millions, are deprived of the privilege of
free speech on the subject of Slavery, because
Of that incubus which rests upon them by
reason Of the support given to the system by
the Church and State. We ask you, If you care
for freedom of speech, or Christ in the person
of his poor, to remove this incubus, which is
fast becoming burden too heavy to be borne.
1t is humiliating fact that even yet. in the
North, some of the largest denominations of
Christians are in actual completely with this
system of outrage and injustice. They give TO
the iniquity position, and bid it GOd-speed, BY
ecclesiastical fellowship.
The same is true of many of the benevolent
associations. If all the churches and associa-
tions would treat slavehOlding as they do other
gross immOralilies, soon respectable men would
cease to defend OF practice the iniquity. IL
would die of disgrace. Albert Barnes has cor
rectly said-"Slavery could not live single dsy
ouside of the church, were it not for the fact
that it lives in the church" ra. I'll.
Men at the North, then, have something TO do
with Slavery. They have long given character
and support to it by donations and associations.
Let them bring forth fruits meet for repentance
by using every righteous means for its removal
| Let no one remain silent Christ is in bonds in
the person Of his poor
Men in the North as well as in the South,
can use another potent instTumentality-pol
ical action. .Ee.
Let them repeal every enactment that in any
way gives sanction or support to the system =
Slavery is not natural state of society 1t lives