Page:The Collected Works of Theodore Parker volume 6.djvu/289

276 and 1850), "whether such conviction was by criminal proceeding or by civil action, in any courts of the United States, or of any State or territory, shall be entitled to vote at any election, or to hold any office in this territory." "If any person offering to vote shall be challenged and required to take an oath or affirmation that he will sustain the provisions of the above-recited Acts of Congress" (the Fugitive Slave Bills), "and shall refuse to take such oath or affirmation, the vote of such person shall be rejected."— Ch. Irvi § 11, p. 332.

There is no similar provision depriving a man of his vote if he violate any other statute : but a deed of common humanity disfranchises a man for ever; nay, performing an act of kindness to a brother perpetually deprives a man of his share in the government! Look at this statute:— "Every free person who shall aid …. in any rebellion or insurrection of slaves, …. or do any other overt act in furtherance of such rebellion, …. shall suffer death." "If any person shall….induce any slaves to rebel,….or shall ….circulate ….any book…. or circular for the purpose of exciting insurrection…. on the part of the slaves, such person shall….suffer death." "If any person shall aid …. in enticing…. any slave…. to effect the freedom of such slave,…. he shall…. suffer death, or be imprisoned at hard labour for not less than ten years." — Ch. cli. § 2, 4, 5.

Look at this:—

Sect. 11.—"If any person print, write, introduce into, publish, or circulate, or cause to be brought into, printed, written, published, or circulated, or shall knowingly aid or assist in bringing into, printing, publishing, or circulating, within this territory, any book, paper, pamphlet, magazine, handbill, or circular, containing any statements, arguments, opinions, sentiments, doctrines, advice, or innuendo, calculated to promote a disorderly, dangerous, or rebellious disaffection among the slaves in this territory, or to induce such slaves to escape from the service of their masters, or to resist their authority, he shall be guilty of a felony, and be punished by imprisonment and hard labour for a term not less than five years." Sect. 12.—"If any free person, by speaking or by writing, assert or maintain that persons have not the right to hold slaves in this territory, or shall introduce into this territory, print, publish, write, circulate, or cause to be introduced into this territory, written, printed, published, or circulated in this territory, any book, paper, magazine, pamphlet, or circular, containing any denial of the right of persons to hold slaves in this territory, such person shall be deemed guilty of felony, and punished by imprisonment at hard labour for a term of not less than two years."

But stealing a free child under twelve is punished with imprisonment for not more than five years, or confinement