324 HISTORY OF OHiO, 



Its objects so far as we know them, are to prevent slavery 

 from spreading into this state; to induce great numbers who 

 own slaves in the states south of us, to set them free, and, 

 send them to Africa. These slave-holders live in Ohio, but 

 own slaves in the south. These are the objects of the socicr 

 ty. The friends of the society disavow all interference with 

 slaves and slave-holders out of this state. These are views 

 not inconsistent with our duty to our neighbors. The tenden- 

 cy of the doctrines, of the society, when kept within the pale 

 of prudence, and so long as the society originally founded by 

 Franklin and the friends in Philadelphia is followed as an ex- 

 ample, Washington, Jefferson and the patriots of their day, if 

 now living would not raise any objection to them. The anti- 

 slavery society in Ohio, in May 1837, contained 213 auxiliary 

 societies, and 17,253 members. Its persecutions have consist- 

 ed in being interrupted in their meetings, sometimes, and in 

 having their press distroyed in Cincinnati by a mob. These 

 outrages will not be repeated. To sustain themselves in their 

 controversy, both parties, to the question, for slavery or anti- 

 slavery, have boldly appealed to the bible, as the authority on 

 •which they rely. They have brought forward the example and 

 precepts of our Savior and his apostles. Sitting in judgment 

 on the case we proceed to examine the law and the testimony, 

 impartially, fully and fairly, before we enter any final judg- 

 ment. First, then, as to our Savior's example and precepts. 

 He was by birth, a Jew, and his mother, brothers, sisters and 

 all those with whom he associated as near and dear to him, were 

 Jews. Both parties, have said, that there were no slaves in 

 Judea at that time! This is not true. The entire nation was 

 in a slavery of the worst kind, that any whole nation could 

 endure! they were all slaves, and they were taxed and oppresr 

 sed by the Romans, whose legions were every where stationed, 

 and used as instruments of oppression by the civil officers. 

 Their rulers, civil and military, were all appointed to office, by 

 the Roman emperor at Rome. The Jews had, in fact two gov- 

 ernments to support, at the same time; their own ecclesiasti- 

 cal government, and that of the conquerors. Well, thus situa- 



