Page:The Collected Works of Theodore Parker Slavery volume 5 .djvu/179

Rh US in opinion. It was ratlier gratuitous, however; no man has done it here to-day. But it is true, no man has a right thus to "judge another." But I will remind Dr Gannett that, a few years ago, he and I differed in opinion on a certain matter of considerable importance, and after clearly expressing our difference, I said, "Well, there is an honest difference of opinion between us," and he said, "Not an honest difference of opinion, brother Parker," for he called me "brother" then, and not "Mr" as since, and now, when he has publicly said he cannot take my hand fraternally. Still there was an honest difference of opinion on his part as well as mine. Mr Osgood apologizes for Dr Dewey;—that is, he defends his motives. I am glad he does not undertake to defend his conduct, only to deny that he [Dr Dewey] uttered the words alleged. But I am sorry to say that I cannot agree with Mr Osgood in his defence. I do not believe a word of it to be true: I have evidence enough that he said so.

Mr Gannett in demanding obedience to the fugitive slave law made two points, namely; if it be not obeyed, first, we shall violate all human laws; and next, there will be a dissolution of the Union. Let me say a word of each. But first let me say that I attribute no unmanly motive to Mr Gannett. I thought him honest when he denied that I was; I think him honest now. I know him to be conscientious, laborious, and self-denying. I think he would sacrifice himself for another's good. I wish he could now sink through the floor for two or three minutes, that I might say of him absent yet more of honourable praise, which I will not insult him with or address to him while before my face. Let me only say this, that if there be any men in this Conference who honour and esteem Dr Gannett, I trust I am second to none of them. But I do not share his opinions nor partake of his fears. His arguments for obeying the fugitive slave law (ab inconvenienti) I think are of no value.

If we do not obey this law, he says, we shall disobey all laws. It is not so. There is not a country in the world where there is more respect for human laws than in New England; nowhere more than in Massachusetts. Even if a law is unpopular, it is not popular to disobey it. Our