Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-07-02
Speech of John P. Hale.

In the N. H. Legislature on Friday, Mr. Low, of
Dover, wing, moved set of resolutions in the House,
clarifying the tariff, and deprecating any further ex
tension of slavery. Speaker Hale left the chair for
the purpose of Offering substitute, in which he took
high ground in favor of the eXtrpaton of slavery, and
said not a cori about The tariff He made an eloquent
speech in support of his amendment, of which sketch
is annexed
Mr.. Hale said the time had come for the people to
act upon this question Of Human Liberty. The issue
is forced upon us-we cannot now be inactive. To
remain inactive, is to act To act basely cowardy,
dishonorably. 1t has been asked What has the
North to do with Slavery" The question should be,
What has the North to do with LIBERTY?
Mr. Hale thanked God he spoke for no party. He
implicated no man in what he night say. He was an
Z" imprudent man, an impracticable politician"-
What has the North to do with Slavery? This mo-
ment the nation is engaged in War for the support
of Slavery at expense if the estimation of dis
nguished Senator be correct of five hundred thousand
dollars day New IIampshire's proportion of that
expense, is ten thousand dollars per day How could
the members of this House, go home and meet their
constituents bending their backs to the sun and their
faces to the earth, forcing subsistence from an un-
willing SOIL and these operations for the establishment
of Slavery, goingon upon the Rio Grande, at an eX-
pense to their scantily filled pockets of $4,000 day.
unless they mantuy protested against this outrage and
crime The gentleman knew well the reputation that
attached to those who opposed the last War-and
which seemed to palsy the public mind in regard to
this encounter with MeXico-but he was ready to brand
this War; when we look to the causes of its origin, as
unparalleled in inamy in the annals of modern history.
Mr.. Hale held in his hand paper, IN. II. PATRIOT that
spoke Of the result of the recent election in this State
as the work of the clergy. He rejoced when he read
that. The editors good angel, after long absence,
must have returned to him when he penned that line
of truth 1t was the incuculaon of the great truths
THE Christian religion that waking-up thenatols
of the earth, to the consideration of this momentous
matter. This cry against the interference of Gods
ministers, was an old cry Of yrants In all ages there
had been men faithful to the high mission. 1t was one
Of these troublesome fellows that cried in the tyrant
ear of Pharaoh Let my people go, that they may
worship me !"
| The gentleman said he was anxious thus early in
the debate that might arise upon this question: to lei
his sentiments be fully known-that if any gentleman
wished to attack him personally, or overthrow the doc
trnes he was advocating, they might have ample op-
portunty.
1t was high time to cease taking about opposition
to Slavery in the abstract. 1t was time to be in EAR
NEST, New Hampshire-the "Gibraltar of Democa-
cy"-has become infamous throughout the world, fol
her past position upon this question: This subject is
pressed upon uS-and we must meet il. 1t is no war
fare Of our own seeking. Slavery, not content witt
It's absolute sway at the South, extends its tyrant arm
to the North and bids us what we may speak, and wha
think. 1t bids our pulpits silence upon this question
of human freedom-ayc, would regulate our fresdC
talk.
Mr. Hale was well aware he should be accused Of
the inconsistency Of his present sentiments with pre-
vious acts of his life. He cared not for sach ACCUSE.
TONS He confessed a change of sentiments on this
question He thanked God he had changed His de-
sire still was for light, that if not now fully RICH
on this great matter, he might change more. lie was
moe anxious to be right today-than he was to deien(
, his conduct of yesterday.
In these times we must SPEAK, 1t was of little con
sequence which way men may speak. Speak as mel
willard this cause goes forward. But to us ndi
vidually 1t is of great consequence how speak The
car Of Freedom is ONWARD! No party can stop it
progress. Whoever throws himself in its way will b.
crushed beneath the roll of its ponderous wheels. Thu
hosts OF Freedom and the hosts of Slavery are marshal
ling for contest! Where shall we attach ourselves
1t would have been better for our peace and quiet
if we had not been called to the conflict But the du
ty is laid upon us. Words are nothing WORTH DEED
aie now called for New Hampshire must now be pa
ced upon her right ground The moral influence o
New llampshres taking right position, will tel
. nightly upon the cause.
The tyrants of the old world are rejoicing at tn
present position and action of our country this qucs
, ton. They are hattering themselves that an aemp
at establishing human freedom in this land, is to prov
4 failure. That we ourselves have gvenup our hopes
and were now aborng for the perpetuiy of Slavery
rather than the establishment of Liberty. Our acto
in reference to Texas has given them good cause 70
t their tyrant hopes
BY remaining in the place the kindness of the IIous
had assigned him, Mr. Hale said he might have avo
: ded this expression of his opinions. But he had n
o sentiments to keep to himself
It The gentleman concluded his eloquent remarks, b
saying that perhaps he owed apology to the HOUSE
when they were so busily engaged in the matter
Lead Mines Cotton Manufactures and Spinning Jer
e MES, tor introducing MAN, the most wonderful piec
y of mechanism The gentleman from Dover, in h
e resolution has put Tariff before MAN. He wanted
attend to Man irst-the Sheep-fold afterwards Me
OIL might differ on the question of Tarif-but ON tn
N great question of Freedom he hoped we should pr
r sent an unbroken front.