Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree,
hand over his conscience to the legislator?
Why has every man a conscience, then?
I think that we should be men first, and subjects afterward. The only obligation which I have a right to assume, is to do at any time what I think right. It is not desirable to cultivate a respect
for the law, so much as for the right.
I do not hesitate to say, that those who call themselves
abolitionists should at once effectually withdraw their support, both in person
and in property, from the government of