Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from A Sermon on the Duty of Citizens, With Respect to the Fugitive Slave Law
But perhaps the strongest feeling of opposition has been ex pressed against that clause ofthe law which makes it the duty of citizens to assist in its execution, and empowers the. Otlicer hav ing charge of its execution. To summon the by-standers to his aid, should circumstances render it necessary. Upon this clause of the law, a loud and pathetic wail has been raised, that free citizens are exposed to the liability of being degraded into slarc catchers; and to hear some men talk, we might all expect to be summoned from our beds to hanrstrin negroes - and to see troops of screaming slaves flying through our streets. Pur sued by ruthless savages, with pistols and bloodhounds, and to be ourselves required to join in the ferocity of the hunt. Now those who raise this terrific complaint, should remember that citizens are at all times liable, in case of any obstructionto the laws, to be called on to aid in their execution. In case of riot, or the arrest of an escaped convict, or suspected criminal, eve ry citizen is bound by the law to obey the sheriff or constable, who may demand his assistance But from whom is obstruction to this law to be feared, if at all Why only from those who now cla mor against it If they will not oppose the law, there will be no need of any one to assist the officers in its execution With the negroes alone they will be perfectly competent to deal. It would in deed be very revolting to one's feelings to be called on to assist in arresting a slave. But, practically, what does this provision amount to How many of all the gentlemen who now tremble in their shoes, for fear of being required to lay hands on a slave, have ever been called on to assist in arresting a criminal Probably not one in a thousand of all the people in the United States, ever saw a crim inal arrested, and probably not one in a thousand of all the people in the United States, will ever see a fugitive slave arrested.
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