Hon. Marshall P. Wilder.
[THE FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT TO BE DISOBEYED.]
Letter to a Committee at Syracuse, New York, September 28, 1854.
The escape of the Fugitive Slave, Jerry, at Syracuse, was commemorated at a public meeting, to which Mr. Sumner was invited. His answer was published at the time as "from a man who is not afraid to speak out."
Boston, September 28, 1854.
Dear Sir,—I cannot be with you at Syracuse, according to the invitation with which I have been honored; but I shall rejoice at every word uttered there which helps to lay bare the true nature of Slavery, and its legitimate offspring, the Fugitive Slave Bill.
That atrocious enactment has no sanction in the Constitution of the United States or in the law of God. It shocks both. The good citizen, at all personal hazard, will refuse to obey it.
Yours very faithfully,
Charles Sumner.