The Congregational Observer

SLAVERY IN MARYLAND.
An act "for the better security of slaves, and for promoting industry and honesty among the free people of color," has passed the lower branch of the Maryland Legislature. Its provisions are analogous, for the most part, to the resolutions adopted by the Convention of slaveholders, held at Annapolis not long ago.
A strong and eloquent remonstrance, adopted at a meeting of the male members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Baltimore, has been sent to the Senate. We make from it the following extract:—Com. Adv.
"While we have ever regarded slavery, in the language of our Discipline, as 'a great evil,' we have steadily and strongly opposed the abolition agitation, and have looked for the extinction of slavery to the gradual and safe, but certain operation of the great principles of political wisdom and Christian ethics. This bill, however, tends to arrest the operation of these causes, and to perpetuate slavery in that State—a calamity hitherto deprecated alike by Christians and patriots.
"The promotion of industry and honesty among the free people of color, is certainly a most laudable object. But we cannot see how this is to be secured by inflicting upon thousands of them, who have heretofore been both industrious and honest, penalties that would be severe even against the worthless and vicious, and by withholding from all, in future, the principal inducements to industry and honesty. The enforcement of the proposed law must inevitably banish from the State many free persons, who are here without any fault of their own, and must subject to hopeless slavery many others equally innocent. So intricate is the labyrinth of legal formalities through which they are required to pass from year to year, and on every change of residence, however temporary—and so tempting are the rewards offered to informers, that few can escape from falling sooner or later into the snares which beset their path.
When it is considered, that of the people, who are to be the subjects of these enactments, many are united with us in Church-fellowship, we cannot but implore your honorable body to save them from a persecution more horrible than the African slave trade.
Considering the peculiar importance of moral training to this class of our population, and the deep interest which the Methodist church has taken in this work, we have been not a little surprised to find engrafted upon the bill provisions which would most effectually subvert the whole economy of our church in reference to the colored people, and render it totally impossible to extend to them the instruction and direction of her ministry, without subjecting them to great risk as to their personal liberty. It is due to the colored members of our church to say that, as far as it is possible for us to ascertain, they have submitted quietly to the laws of the State. And we fully believe it is their wish and purpose to continue to do so. For their conduct, our ministry might possibly become responsible, at least in meetings under their immediate control. But over the great mass of those attending our churches, who are not connected with us, it is utterly impossible and improper that they should assume any such responsibility; although, doubtless, unwearied efforts will be continued by them to prevent any thing that might have the slightest tendency to interfere with the rights of slaveholders, "stir up to insurrection" or "excite discontent" among the people of color.
Revolting as would be the operation of the proposed law on the people of color, we depreciate almost as much its corrupting influence on the whites. The making slaves of freemen has been denounced by Christendom as piracy, but by this bill every citizen is tempted to engage in the unhallowed work. And the officers of justice are compelled to a participation in it, which must degrade and corrupt this important department of government.
Did we take a one-sided view of this subject, it might be some consolation to suppose that such a law, in the event of its passage, would be so obnoxious to public sentiment, that it would not be enforced. But as Christians, as well as patriots, we cannot but dread an increase of the already prevalent disregard of the majesty of law.
In fine, believing that such a law will present at once to the people of this State the alternative of enslaving the free or freeing the slave, we cannot but deprecate its enactment, as destined to bring into primary assemblies of the people, and into every congregation and religious body of the State, an agitation which must be perpetuated, in strife and bitterness, until consequences result most disastrous to the commonwealth."
Signed in behalf of the male members.
Thos. L. Bond, Jr.
G. C. M. Roberts,
Robert Emory,
Committee.
March 2d. 1842.