The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-01-29
Oregon Question.
Speech of Joshua II. Giddings.

Mr. Giddjngs said that, owing 10 the
difficulty which he bad experitn need here
tofore in obtaining the floor. he was it's
duced 10 avail himself of his present po-
siIon to indicate The considerations that
would govern him in voting for the rts>
olulicn reported from the Committee on
Foreign Affairs. 1t is due TO myself (said
Mr. G. 10 say, that, in former Congress,
| was opposed 10 terminating the joint &C.
cupancy of Oregon. That vote was given
under The circumstances which then sui
rounded u9. Now We are placed in a to-
ally different position. Since this subj ct
was before US our Union has been chang
ed in its esstnlial elemanls, aud its fundd-
mental principles have been oyerthrown.
The Union founded by our fathers has
been subVerted, and new slavehuldiug
Conlederacy has been formed, giving 10
the Southern portion the balance of power,
and sutjecling the free labor OF The North,
the dearest rights OF the free States, to the
tender mercies ola saveholding olIgarchy.
They now have the entire direction Of the
Government The people Of the free
States have been politically bound head
and foot, and delivered over 10 The slave
holding interest, and it is now worse than
mockery to talk OF maintaining the manu-
featuring Interests of Pennsylvania or of
New Eogland. They are now under The
memorable power Of the South
This, then, is our situation, as we are
all perfectly conscious. The nation has
been plunged without my aid into this con-
dilion, but against my will. have believed
and still believe, that this policy Of acqui-
ring territory must inevitably, if carried
out, subverl the Government aud dissolve
the Union.
MIR Chpmon called Mr. G. 10 order,
and was understood to say that TO speak Of
the dissolution of the Union was irrele-
want, and was throwing a frebrand into
the House.
Mr. Glddings proceeded. | Twas s'aling
our present situation, and the liability of
;hIs new Union TO fall asunder from its
own weight, when this system of extern
sion shall be carried out. Aud it is under
these circumstances that | am called 10
express my opinion of the proposed policy.
| am led to the conclusion, TO the irresis-
'io'C SoHSiuo'ub, tud' war, WIFI all lis NOR
rors and It's devastation of public morals,
is infinitely preferable TO supine inactive
submission 10 the slaveholding power that
is 10 control this nation, if left in its press
ent situation.
wish to be distinctly understood that
have seen enough Of war 10 form an opin-
ion Of its effects, its miseries, and the ex-
ent OF its curse. Yet, sir greatly pre-.
fer them, for few years, to the quiet APP
athy which has subjected US to a change
If the Government formed by our faith.
,rs.
Here will take occasion 10 say that
litfer from my venerable friend from Mas.
achusetts as 10 the probability of war
am of opinion that il we take The whole
{ Oregon it will produce war. saw
his, although have heretofore, in nine
asses out OF ten, found myself mislaken
when have differed from that venerable
tatesnan. The consequences of war
ave not escaped my consideration.
1t must evidently produce great destrgc-
ion to the commercial wealth of New
England. Here let me say to the gem
leman from Massachusetts, (Mr Wins
hroP) who The other day made so elo~