d without due process of law, and with
armed force], rests not alone on the deluded individuals who
were its immediate perpetrators, but the blood taints with
even deeper dye the skirts of those who promulgated
doctrines subversive of all morality and all government,
[that is, of Slavery and the fugitive slave bill]."

"This murderous tragedy is but the necessary development of
principles and the natural fruit from seed sown by others
whom the arm of the law cannot reach," [such as the Authors
of the Declaration of Independence, and still more the
Author of the "Sermon on the Mount]."

"This [the slave clause of the Constitution] is the Supreme
law of the land, _binding ... on the conscience_ and conduct
of every individual citizen of the United States." "The
shout of disapprobation with which this [the fugitive slave
bill] has been received by some, has been caused ... because
it is an act which can be executed ... the real objection
... is to the Constitution itself, which is supposed to be
void in this particular, from the effect of some 'higher
law.' It is true that the number of persons whose
consciences affect to be governed by such a law [that is the
law of Natural Morality and Religion], is very small. But
there is a much larger number who take up opinions on
trust,--and have concluded this must be a very pernicious
and unjust enactment, for no other reason than because the
others shout their disapprobation with such violence and
vituperation."

"This law is Constitutional." "The question of its
Constitutionality is to be settled by the Courts, [fugitive
slave bill courts,] and not by conventions either of laymen
or ecclesiastics." "_We are as much bound to support this
law as any other._" "The jury should regard the construction
of the Constitution as given them by the court as to what is
the true meaning of the words _levying war_." "In treason
all are principals, and a man may be guilty of aiding and
abetting, though not present."

He spoke of those "associations, or conventions, which occasionally or
annually infest the neighboring village of West-Chester, for the
purpose of railing at and resisting the Constitution and laws of the
land [that is the fugitive slave bill and other laws which annihilate
a man's unalienable right to