The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-09
MASSACHUSETTS.
PERSONAL LIBERTY LAW HEARING.
81 On


Yesterday afternoon the Representatives Hall at the
State House crowded with curious and eager as
hearing on the Personal Liberty bill question before the
Committee Of the Legislature having the matter in hapd
On taking the chair Mr. STONE OF Essex requested there
be no demonstrations OF applause or the reverse.
The first person who appeared on behalf or the anti
slavery party r. w. BIRD, Of Walpole, who began his
argument by remaIkpg that this committee was not .
tribunal judge Of the constitutionaty unconstu
tonalty of the Personal Liberty bill. The point at issue
was shall the law be repeaed2 He explained the nature
the law read from the constitution the principles
Of the Bill OF Rights, which he alleged the law to be
based He contradcted the statement that the Union
G. mmttee at Washington representatives OF
the true sentiment of the Massachusetts, people, and cen
sured Rhode Island for her late act OF repeal
He was followed by :. f. SEwEII, Of Melrose His argu
meBt that, Notwithstanding all the decisions which
had been maze by able jurists that the Fugitive Slave
law unconstitutional, still he was of opinion that 1t
was not SO, ard alluded to late decisions in Wisconsin,
where the question had been amply tested He read
the good sense OF the committee to rightly interpret the
passages. He desired the committee 10 throw of the
incubus Of authority and listen to reason He quoted
the words Of Lord Chatham with respect 10 the decisions
OF courts Of Justice; and in speaking Of this orator,
he styled him "the friend Of American liberty
OF The legal prolession.n lie continued by reading
aid Jsclsan ard hoping the committee would not allow
themselves to he influenced by prejudice After he had
stated that he thought il needless TO say anything rela
tive to the higher law, he said' gentlemen there Is
airy doubt that doubt the side OF freedom aud
give our people another chance before our suprems
D.
guard OF liberty. What You gain BY ~ You are to
act here statesmen. DO you think that IL you sacri
The sou,h not be satisfied when the Territories are
given up 20 the slave power of the South. The South
wants to humble Massachusetts, think you can only
satisfy the South by changing the opinions Of the PEG
Ilc OF Massachusetts,, and making slave hunt as plea
SAINT here it is in the Southern States applause
Al Kisses
The coored preacher j. SErIA MARTIN, next took the
Goor. lie asked the con mit,ee 'not to repeal such
bcnefcebt pruvision" IIe sad:-"Because tho Boston
is hostile in spirit the constitution,
that the reason !. must be repeaed believe that
my osteDsbie This Is time for concilia
tD even the South willing accept Cancellation.
lie fret thing to be done is to whip Them and conciate
alterward applause and hisses) Every time the
North has attempted to stand for principle the South
has threatened dissolution of the Union and has each
time grown holder and sroneor and TO day we And many
Northern men who are ready and willing 10 surrender
the forts" lie CONCLUDED it'll appeal FOR his own
personal safety the safety OF his friends and rela
tvcs. As he took his seat there general applause
Ws.I BURT app AIRED LAWYER and the next speaker.
He advocated what he styled 'natural Justice and true
liberty" and said estate street would ruin rights
individuals, and destroy the value Of property"
He called upon the OF the Boston Post and Courier
to forward and say that slaves brought To this
state by their masters shall not enjoy the blessings Of
Massachusetts law. lie said, "when the tirae shall
come Union side-whcn that teri BILE day shall
comc-ihen will come up before you with diAerent
Igsment, on different platform, and for different
purpose But now am here for the Union and tho
seive the Union We will stand up for our rights and
If stand mp for them have moral force which
power on the earth or in the world can overthrow
While speaking on the Union petition from Boston, he
said II wrapped la the American flag, from which
OF the hadibeen torn by rccrcant govern
mcDt. He asked Massachusetts to stand to the By
Wilson and Sumner. The assemblage seeing that this
gentleman was protractLg his remarks, commenced
general coughing which eaused Mr. h. to pzase and soon
after to conclude, amidst denomination Of faint APP
piause.
WENDELL PmrIus was tho ext speaker. Two several
requests made-one hy the chairman Of the COM
mitiee and The other by Mr. - hmsclf-that the assem-
blaee would hot make any ADMINISTRATION favorable or
tnFaporable. Mr. T. ssid"i value this Personal Liber-
ty biM not only for the profession gives ~ free indi.
yiuas Of Massachusetts, but fer the Of protcc.
ton gives TO tho fugitive slaves within the Common
wealth. The Daily Adrsrtfv, ia 1850, said the Fugitive
slave law could Dot be passed and IL asks you
peal all laws in opposition 10 IL. southern
hele with for punishment and for degrade
icn the Commonwealth bound to suDmiiY Who asks
10 Iepeal khis law Come say II is South Carolina
south Carolina Gees rot ask any such thing II II tho
Mayor and Akiei men If Boston---a body that keeps
every law except that which protects iiksrty. don't
think their voice ought to be very potensn He read
from speech made by President Buchanan In IS41 and
Faid:-Snrcy James Buchanan nay be considered some
authority -Souhernwisc. The statute books OF South
Carolina covered with Unconstitutional laws un-
dcriake say that the merchants of Boston have paid
Ne hai Dor Of Charestomore unconstitutional Jail
fees than would buy all the slaves that escaped from
south Carolna would like TO SEQ one OF you members
q this Massachusetts, legislature trust your person in
South Carolina If you should let IL be known you were
ficm MISS athusttts you would never back You
may icpeal this bill but you will have to shove Massa
chGsotta into the ocean before you keep repealed
Applausc) II viii comc back when you have gone
away. taprausc) Nou may Disgrace Massachusetts,
ty liz repeal, but you will never save South CarolinaD
(AIpausc)
Tho hearing concluded at twenty five minutes 10
two clock, and the committee adjourned 10 their room