Law; that its glaring unconstitutionality finds a prototype in the British Stamp Act, which our fathers refused to obey as unconstitutional on two parallel grounds,—­first, because it was a usurpation by Parliament of powers not belonging to it under the British Constitution, and an infraction of rights belonging to the Colonies, and, secondly, because it was the denial of Trial by Jury in certain cases of property; that, as Liberty is far above property, so is the outrage perpetrated by the American Congress far above that perpetrated by the British Parliament; and, finally, that the Slave Act has not that support, in the public sentiment of the States where it is to be executed, which is the life of all law, and which prudence and the precept of Washington require.

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Mr. President, I have occupied much time; but the great subject still stretches before us.  One other point yet remains, which I must not leave untouched, and which justly belongs to the close.  The Slave Act violates the Constitution, and shocks the Public Conscience.  With modesty, and yet with firmness, let me add, Sir,it offends against the Divine Law.  No such enactment is entitled to support.  As the throne of God is above every earthly throne, so are his laws and statutes above all the laws and statutes of man.  To question these is to question God himself.  But to assume that human laws are beyond question is to claim for their fallible authors infallibility.  To assume that they are always in conformity with the laws of God is presumptuously and impiously to exalt man even to equality with God.  Clearly, human laws are not always in such conformity; nor can they ever be beyond question from each individual.  Where the conflict is open, as if Congress should command the perpetration of murder, the office of conscience as final arbiter is undisputed.  But in every conflict the same queenly office is hers.  By no earthly power can she be dethroned.  Each person, after anxious examination, without haste, without passion, solemnly for himself must decide this great controversy.  Any other rule attributes infallibility to human laws, places them beyond question, and degrades all men to an unthinking, passive obedience.

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The mandates of an earthly power are to be discussed; those of Heaven must at once be performed; nor should we suffer ourselves to be drawn by any compact into opposition to God.  Such is the rule of morals.  Such, also, by the lips of judges and sages, is the proud declaration of English law, whence our own is derived.  In this conviction, patriots have braved unjust commands, and martyrs have died.