The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-09-12
GEN. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..


One good comes of the manner in which
the pensioned press and party politicians have
assailed Gen. Harrison. 1t has enabled him to
do more towards establishing the fundamental
truths on which the foundation ofourinstitutions
rest. 1t has given the greater authority to
what he says, and by putting these essential
principles in issue, has caused them TO be stu
died and the better understood. The truth OF
these remarks are forcibly illustrated by
GEN. HARRISON'S SPEECH
On .4bolition-Deliuered at Cartilage, Ohio, on
the 2Oh Of .August, 1910,
Having recently received letter from per-
sona friend who is a member OF an abolition
society, proposing 10 me two questions, which
he requested me TO answer; but having from
necessity, arising from the absolute impossible
ity of my answering the numerous letters re-
ceive requiring my opinion upon political sub
jects, declined to answer any from individuals,
/ willingly embrace the opportunity of answer
ing them which this occasion has given me,
without violating the rule | had found myself
under the necessity of adopting.
The questions are the following, viz:
lst-Do you believe the people Of the United
State possess an unrestricted right TO discuss
any subject, that to them may seem worthy of
consideration?
2nd-Do you believe the people ofthe United
States have the right TO petition their Legisla-
ture for the redress OF whatever they may deem
grievance, and for the adoption OF such mea-
slres as the petitioners may think conducive to
the welfare of the nation?
| do not hesitate TO answer both of these
questions in the affirmative The Constitution
of the United States, and that of our own
State have secured to the people the enjoy
ment ofthe rights referred TO in both questions.
entirely unrestricted but by their own sense of
propriety, and the legal rules which protect
Inc rights Of others. The freedom of speech
and the press is the distinguishing characters
tic of free government. Without it we
might call our country Republic, but it would
be so only in name. Like that of Rome. under
the Emperors, it might be mask to cover the
most horrible despotism. The right of the
people to write and to speak openly and freely
upon all matters of public policy, sis the pal
ladium of all civil and religious liberty The
authors of our constitution must have known
that it would be subject 10 abuse TO be used for
improper, and, indeed, sometimes for criminal
purposes; yet they declared ii without restric-
ton. More than half a century has passed
away since it came into operation, and although
upon one memorable occasion it was resorted
to for the purpose of giving effect to councils
tending to paralyze the efforts of the nation. in
the midst of dangerous war, and to encourage
The enemy to persevere in supporting their un-
lust pretensions still these declarations ofrights
in relation to writing, speaking and publishing.
have been suffered TO remain in all their pris-
tine ferce [ should be the last person who
could, under any circumstances, consent tore
strict them by legal enactments.
must, however, take this occasion TO repeat
what have before declared, that the discus |
sion of the right of one portion of the States
which compose our Union 10 hold slaves. bv |
an assemblage of citizens of other States. |
which hold none, is, in my opinion, not sane
toned by the spirit of the Constitution. 1t is |
tolerated by the broad and unrestricted declara- |
ton in the Constitution, to which have refer. |
red; it is forbidden by the general tenor of
that instrument, and the fundamental prnci- |
pie of the government which it has establish
ed. Our governments certainly one of very
complicated character, difficult in some offs
aspects TO be we'll understood. To FOREIGN
governments it presents, and was intended TO
present, power clothed with the most inpor
tant attributes Of sovereignty; and so far as
our relations with them may be concerned. they
are to see nothing beyond that which is de;
cribed in our glorious motto 'E Pluribus Uaum'
We are, however, not ''one,'' in the sense that
it would be understood if applied TO other ma
lions which have been formed from once dis.
jointed and separate parts. Our Union is not
that which, like marriage, merges the aChole
rights of the parties in common stock. We
are not.
ETnina Ito y,aof;,r,