2007 Senate Resolution 18
ENGROSSED RESOLUTION
Relating to: commending the life and contributions of Joshua Glover.
Whereas, in 1852 Joshua Glover appeared in Racine, Wisconsin, after escaping from his St. Louis master; and
Whereas, on March 10, 1854, he was seized at his cabin about 4 miles from Racine by his master and a U. S. Marshal and taken to the Milwaukee County jail; and
Whereas, when it became known that Joshua Glover was incarcerated and being held in Milwaukee County jail, 100 determined men landed a boat in Racine and formed a line that marched toward Milwaukee. By the time the men arrived at the steps of the jail, more than 5,000 Wisconsin citizens joined them as they congregated around the jail. The meeting culminated with the storming of the jail and the rescue of Joshua Glover; and
Whereas, through the resistance and courageous actions of Joshua Glover, national attention was brought to the state of Wisconsin which later became the only state to declare the unconstitutionality of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act that was used to jail Joshua Glover; and
Whereas, because of Joshua Glover's defiance and the concerned actions of Wisconsin citizens, on a lone page in the history of civil disobedience; and
Whereas, the adoption of this senate resolution is supported not only by the senate, but also by members of the assembly, including specifically Representatives Sheridan, Schneider, Young, Grigsby, Sinicki, Mason, Fields, Benedict, Turner, and Hintz; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, That the senate of the state of Wisconsin honors the life and contributions of Joshua Glover who through his boldness spurred citizens to repeal an unjust law that required that all slaves found in free states be returned to bondage.
