Page:The Collected Works of Theodore Parker Slavery volume 5 .djvu/176



subject of debate was "The Duty of Ministers under the Fugitive Slave Law." This had been brought up, by Rev. Mr May of Syracuse, at a "Business Meeting" of the American Unitarian Association, and was refused a bearing. It was again brought forward at the meeting of the Ministerial Conference on Wednesday. The Conference adjourned to Thursday morning, at nine o’clock.

On Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, a good deal was done to prevent the matter from being discussed at all; and done, as it seemed to me, in a disingenuous and unfair manner. And on Thursday morning much time was consumed in mere trifles, apparently with the intention of wearing away the few hours which would otherwise be occupied in discussing the matter at issue, before the Conference. At length the question was reached, and the debate began. Several persons spoke. Mr Pierpont made a speech, able and characteristic, in which he declared that the Fugitive Slave Bill lacked all the essentials of a law; that it had no claim to obedience; and that it could not be administered with a pure heart or unsullied ermine.

Several others made addresses. Rev. Mr Osgood of New York defended his ministerial predecessor, Rev. Dr Dewey,—making two points.