Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-07-28
A PASTORS DILEMMA.
He breaches Against Aiding Slaves to Es.
cape, but Feels Constrained to As.
sist Them When the Oppor.
tunity Arises-A Remin.
iscence of the Un.
derground Rail-
rwR1rTEN FOR THE DISPATCH,


Those who have come to maturity since
the War can have little conception of the
intensity with which political questions were
discussed during the decade from 1870 to lS60.
At no other period in onr nations history did
the conscience element enter SO largely into af-
fairs of State.
The compromise measures of 1850 framed
iniquty into law" by placing every citlzen
who shelre red a slave on his way to freedom IN
the attitude of a criminal. More than this,
that law made it the duty of every citizen to
assist in the rescue of u fugitive slave when
called on by the United States official. Prior
to this enactment the agitation of the slavery
question was confined to a few, who were
looked upon by the public generally as fanatics
and impracticables; men who were too narrow
in their views for the downright work OF NE;
The fugitive slave law brought the question OF
slavery to every fireside in the free states.
This law became at once subject OF discussion
in every debating club, and the effort or the
compromisers to quiet the discussion proved
the very means of bringing the great national
issue to every rejecting mans conscience.
An incident of that period which is fresh in
the writer's mind as the events OF .yester-
day will serve to illustrate how political issues
forced themselves on the conscience. and now
men were forced to decide between the higher
law and legislative enactment.
About midway of the ffties minister OF one
of our neghboring counties presided over
parish which was near enough the Virginia
line to be refuge for large numbers of fug1-
territory. and within its bounds were number
of underground railroad stations agents OF
which being members of this minister's hock.
On all occasions the pastor enjoined oDedl-
ence to law, and said many sharp words against
the ''lawless and disobedient" who arrayed
themselves against the Government of the
United States by helping slaves toward Can
ada.
Time. however, proved that the preachers
practice was better than his preaching. On a
certain occasion at his freside warm discus
slave law. The question was directly put to
the venerable minister: "What would you do II
party of fugitive slaves would tonight come
to your door, asking food and shelter"
For moment he seemed nonplused and
then made confession. Said he "A few Sab
baths ago was on my way to preaching ap-
pointment some ten miles from here. In
quiet, woody place, met family OF colored
people who had a scared look and seemed tired,
and at once knew they were fugitives. There
were father and mother with number OF
of years who could, with difficulty make his
way, up to the nearly grown maiden.
The father asked me if could direct him to
q certain mans house: and l was at once con-
frmed in the belief that they were fugitive
slaves, for the person inquired for was the
noted abolitionist of that section, and had
spent a small fortune in fines for harboring
fugitives. You may judge of my quandary:
On my way to preach a gospel which enjoined
me to Remember those that were in bonds as
bound with them" what could do but show
A mile or two further on met their pursuers,
who eagerly inquired if had seen a company
OF colored people on the road. l had
plenty of time to reach my preaching
appointment, SO I delayed the gentle
men as long as / could without
exciting their sespicions, and finally gave them
such directions as would lead them few miles
off from the underground railroad station. 1t
would not be true to say told the slave hunt
ers the exact truth. and was not conscious of
any qualms of conscience over the deception"
The conclusion to which one of the company
present came. was that mems hearts are often
better than their theories. 1t was easy enough
in the pulpit to urge obedience to law and the
duty Of the citizen to at least passively obey an
obnoxious statute, but in the presence of such
stubborn facts as the minister met, the heart
the hand Divine. YOUNG.