master's kindly acceptance and treatment of
him.
It is further evident that Paul did not send
him back as a slave, but as a Christian brother,
to be treated as be would expect to be treated
himself, when he visited Philemon—"Receive
him," says Paul, the aged, the spiritual father
of both Philemon and Onesimus, "not now as
a servant, but above a servant; a brother be-
loved, specially to me, but how much more
unto thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord,
If thou count me therefore as a partner, receive
him as myself." He says he has some right
to make the request, for Philemon was under
strong obligations to him. I might say unto
thee, " thou owest unto me even thine own
self besides."
Thus, Mr. President, we see that the boasted
biblical argument for slavery and for the ren-
dition of fugitives when examined melts
away, and tire most which can he positively
proved from it, is that if fugitives wish to re-
turn to their masters, we may aid them, and
it is the duty of Christian musters to receive
them kindly.
I propose, Mr. President, in the few min-
utes left me, to take up some of the points
advanced by my friends from Prince George's
generally, minus one; because I believe they
have all but one spoken upon this question.
One of my friends (Mr. Clarke) was opposed
to emancipation, and opposed to State com-
pensation. He and I agree upon that last
point, for I am opposed to State compensation.
He is in favor of government compensation
according to the valuation of 1862.
Mr. CLARKE. According to the census of
1860.
Mr. BERRY, of Baltimore county. I shall
be thankful to the government for the smallest
favors. But I tell the gentleman here now,
that he and my friend and namesake (Mr.
Berry, of Prince George's)—for I presume I
was named after him—may knock at the
treasury door for more than the ninety years
which he expects and hopes to live; and he
may then leave his claim as a legacy to his
children to knock a thousand years more, and
quadruple that. He will ask in vain, for the
record of Debates, page 82, will show whether
he is worthy to receive compensation for his
slaves. This resolution was offered ;
" Resolved, That this Convention tenders
the thanks of the State to the soldiers of Ma-
ryland in the army of General Grant, for the
gallant manner in which they have behaved
during the recent battles, and that this Con-
vention expresses its deep sympathy with the
families of the slain, and for the wounded in
their sufferings."
Against which all the members present from
Prince George's voted.
Christianity, religion, oh! where is thy
blush? Gentlemen refused to vote for a reso-
lution of that kind, when in order to gain their
seats here they swear that they will "to the |
best of their skill and judgment, diligently
and faithfully, without partiality or preju-
dice, discharge the duties of member of the
Convention to frame a new constitution and
form of government; that they will support
the Constitution of the United States, and will
be faithful and bear true allegiance to the
State of Maryland and the Government of the
United States, any law or ordinance of any
State to the contrary notwithstanding; that
they have never either directly or indirectly,
by word, act or deed, given any aid, comfort
or encouragement to those in rebellion against
the Government of the United States."
Mr. BERRY, of Prince George's. Does the
gentleman refer to me?
Mr. BERRY, of Baltimore county. I refer
to the refusal on the part of gentlemen to vote
for that resolution; and I say that after ninety
years' knocking we will bold it up against
you, and as you look you will see written on
the walls, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
You will not get a dollar.
Mr. BERRY, of Prince George's. I Was not
present when that vote wad taken.
Mr. BERRY, of Baltimore county. Then it
does not apply to you. I refer to gentlemen
who voted.
Mr. CLARKE. I should not have interrupted
the gentleman from Baltimore county but for
his reading the oath which we had taken, and
his intimation that this vote was a violation
of that oath, I state this personally here,
that I have the highest regard for the obliga-
tion of an oath; and property or threats or
anything else will never force me to violate
what I regard as the obligation of that oath.
I quietly desired the Convention to excuse me
from voting; not at all because I regarded a
vote in the negative as a violation of that
oath, but to prevent gentlemen from using it
just as the gentleman tin Baltimore county
has now attempted to do. And, sir, in a
proper case, if any other resolutions of this
sort are offered, I shall refuse to vole, whether
this house attempts to make me or not. They
can expel me if they choose because I refuse
to vote in a proper case. But I will do my-
self the justice to read the remarks I made on
that occasion in explanation of my vote :
[Mr. C read from the Journal of Debates,
page 82.]
I go further now and say that the " Ameri-
can" did not deny the charge; and I have seen
no denial of it to this day. I should not
have interrupted the gentleman if he had not
read the oath I took here in the executive
chamber, and which, so help me God, I will
stand by and maintain so long as any man
will, which I considered a personal reflection
upon me.
The PRESIDENT. The Chair did not so re-
gard it, or be would have called the gentle-
man from Baltimore county to order,
Mr. CLARKE. I think it is due now that I
should state what the President would not |
