The Buchanan County Guardian

For the Guardian.

Quasqueton, June 22, 1859.

MR. EDITOR:-Permit me to say a word or two in defence of the General Association of Iowa, touching our resolutions at Muscatine, as we are charged with "dabbling in politics."

We were very unanimous in condemning the officers and others concerned in the case of the rescuers in Ohio. I could easily show that even honorable forms of law-yea, of a law we do not respect as Constitutional-were not observed in the case. But I wish just to show you our rules of conduct, or, rather, through you, I wish to give our reason for "dabbling in politics." Here you have them. First. From the Bible, as the Express & Herald thinks we ought to respect that grand old Book.

"He that stealeth a man and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death."

This settles the moral and political question with us, and tells what we think of the trade, from the sale of Joseph down to the last sale.

"Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee."

This is our Fugitive Slave Law.

"Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go forth like fire and burn that none can quench it."

"Thus saith the Lord, execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor."

This touches the case in hand, and according to our political friends, this must be, for us, good authority for the rescue. They think we ought to go by the great Law Book, and here we have it, and resolve to put it through; and it is surprising that the Express & Herald or any other friends, should think we stretch beyond our measure. If we go by the Bible, what will you have us do?

Here some of our kindred, our brethren, have carried out the very letter of the divine directions, and it seems to us that those political men who have pounced upon them are dabbling with our religious rights and duties. If you will not allow us to practice the morality of the Bible, you ought not to exhort us to follow those high counsels.

"If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death and those that are ready to be slain. If thou sayest behold we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it, and doth not he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it; and shall not he render to every man according to his works?"

I would here respectfully ask what political editors would have us to do-how they would have us carry out our principles. Would they respect us as faithful to God's humanity if we sheer around the very letter of our commission? I have given some scintillations of the Higher Law that political men hold us bound to respect.

I could appeal to the Declaration of American Independence, our State Constitution and the Constitution of these United States, and could from all these sources justify our course. But if I do, some of our political writers will be charging me with dabbling in politics, and I forbear for the present, and only give warning that if I am crowded, I shall take the position that when I joined my heart to the kingdom that is not of this world, I did not resign my rights as one of the proprietors of this government. Nor did I pledge myself to respect a law that conflicts with the fundamental laws of morality. I still live in God's own world, and ask no leave of man to be. I know well that all the right any government has to exercise authority, is obtained from Earth's proprietor and Man's Lord; and I have yet to learn that the largest majesty has authorized any government to trample on his authority or inalienable rights. If political gentlemen wish to take the field and war with the General Association of Iowa, or other friends of freedom, let them know, once for all, they meet a united phalanx.

Yours on hand if the battle of freedom must be fought over again,

BENNET ROBERTS,
One of the General Association of Iowa.