"It Outlaws Me, and I Outlaw It!" Resistance to the Fugitive Slave Law in Syracuse, New York (2004)

On May 26, 1851, Daniel Webster spoke from balcony of Frazee Hall in Syracuse, New York. He had come to Syracuse, a city which had hosted a number of anti-slavery conventions, as part of an effort to promote obedience to new Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. The law had been passed in an effort to appease Southern states after admission of land gained from Mexican War as free territory, and he feared disunion if it was not enforced in North. The law, however, was repugnant to many Northerners not only because of its pro-slavery nature but also because it infringed on individual rights of white citizens. According to terms of new fugitive slave law federal government would have jurisdiction over slave cases, appointing special commissioners to issue warrants for arrest and return of fugitives to their masters. It also imposed fines or jail sentences upon anyone who aided a fugitive or refused to obey law. Syracuse was one of first towns to organize in resistance to law, and Webster hoped to send a message to city in his speech: They say law will not be executed. Let them care, for those are pretty bold assertions. The law must be executed, not only in carrying back slave, but against those guilty of treasonable practices in resisting its execution. Depend on it law will be executed in its spirit, and to its letter. It will be executed in all great cities; here in Syracuse; in midst of next Anti-slavery Convention, if occasion shall arise ... (2) A murmur of dissent rippled through crowd as he spoke these words. (3) Within months citizens of Syracuse would test Webster's prophecy. THE LAW Initial protest against law in Syracuse arose out of town's free black community. On September 23, only five days after law's passage, a meeting was called at African Congregational Church. The black population in Syracuse was small, an estimated 350 people out of a general population of 21,900, but was vigorous in their efforts to oppose law. At September meeting, they organized against legislation, electing a black vigilance committee, pledging support for their mutual protection, and adopting motto United we stand. (4) Unlike many black communities in North, those attending Syracuse meeting repudiated idea of flight, making arguments that they had committed no crime and so should not have to flee, that it was necessary to resist tyrants, and that liberty which not worth defending here not worth enjoying elsewhere. (5) Their actions did not escape notice of rest of town's citizens. One of town's major newspapers, The Syracuse Standard, reported that the fugitive slave law causing some excitement among colored population here, who have organized and assembled and armed themselves to resist any attempts on their liberty. (6) Howard Holman Bell's generalization that the decade of 'fifties was one in which Negro sought in various ways to work out his own destiny (7) illustrated in actions of black community of Syracuse. As in other places throughout North, they were willing to become radical, more self-contained, and more independent with passage of Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. (8) Thus, its members did not rule out use of violence in their resistance to law. One of resolutions of September meeting stated that a man threatened with arrest under act is justifiable in resorting to any means, even if it be taking of life of him who seeks to deprive of us of what dearer than life. Other resolutions pledged to take scalp of any government hound, that dares follow on our track, and should slave hunters approach their families to slay them as we would any other legalized land pirates. …