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of slavery has spread, how deeply it has descended. "The whole head of this nation is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot, even unto the head, there is no soundness in it." Some Reverend gentlemen have expressed their subserviency to the government in language that has disturbed the feelings of some people; but on the whole their prostitution of the Gospel to this Law has been widely commended. They have received unmeasured praise for the pains they have taken to make the commandments of God of none effect because of certain traditions. Many people have been startled by the declaration of Rev. Dr. Dewey, lately of New York, that he would go himself into slavery, or send his brother, his son or even his mother back into the house of bondage, rather than by disobeying the fugitive slave law, help to subvert the authority of government, and undermine the foundation of those powers which God ordained over us as a nation; many, I say, have been startled by this declaration touching his mother, who were ready to applaud his argument in favor of obeying this law. I have heard gentlemen stoutly contend that the Doctor never did say he would send back his mother, in the dread alternative, who themselves were ready to maintain that this Law ought to be obeyed. Now, for my part, I am not at all offended, not in the least shocked at the form of words, in which he is reported to have declared his allegiance to this horrid law. If he is fully persuaded in his own mind—if from his heart he believes that God did ordain, that a government should be instituted here, that would systematically go about to alienate from millions of the people their unalienable rights, setting at nought all the social and domestic relations they may form, and outraging the parental, conjugal, filial and fraternal affections, which their Creator implanted in their bosoms; and demanding of all "good citizens" to assist the agents of government to enforce any law, which might, be deemed necessary to effect this most atrocious purpose; I say, if this distinguished divine really does believe that God has given his sanction to such a government, and requires him to violate the best feelings of his heart in obedience to the behests of such a government; if Dr. Dewey really does believe this, why then is he to be commended for the devotion, the spirit of self-sacrifice, in which he would go about to do the terrible duty imposed upon him; yes, he is to be commended just as much as the devoted of Juggernaut is to be commended, when he throws himself
