Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-05-18
SPEECH of Hon. ], R. GIDDINGS,
UPON SLA VERY g. MOB-LAW,
n U. States House Of Representatives. .4prl Is, 1913
E X I r A c 7 S.

The gentleman asked him what were his motives in
discussing this subject? TO wash his hands. and
those of the people of the North from the stain of
supporting this institution in this District Did the
gentleman suppose that, because he would not inter
fere with the slavery Of the South he was to stand
here with his lips Theoretically sealed from expressing
his sentiments upon the outrages and wrongs perpe-
trated in unfolding this institution in this District?
No; he would unsea them he would give expression
to his deep adherence. Would gentlemen say that
he not to speak upon slavery here because they
had slaves at the South? Take care of your own
slaves said he3 will look to those under pro-
! lection.
He was remarking that he stood here as legsla-
tor under the Constitution. His duties plain so
plain that the wayfaring man. though fool, could
not mistake them They were to let the slavery of
the southern States alone. 1t had been the duty
of the National Legislature to let it be- and when they
established it in this District they violated their duty
to God and to their teow-men they had violated the
duties which they owed to themselves their consti-
tuents, and the human Now, repeal those laws
which involve them in the turpitude Of maintaining
this institution, and then they would have done with
IT. and he, for one, would never mention it here or
elsewhere member Of this body. This result they
intended to bring about; and he took occasion to say
to gentlemen, You shall not bring us to share with
you, in the guilt and the turpitude of this traffic in
human flesh now carried on here under our protection
|
they would not remain thus contaminated with the
guilt of that institutions and he said to gentlemen that
they would have this; they would not vote for their
Presidents or any other officers who undertook to hold
them partakers in that guilt and iniquity THE Sepa-
ration ofHiS Government from all interference Cih Si7-
very was the motto which they had placed on their
banner 1t was freedom; the rights Of man. uncon-
taminated with tins foul blot on the American escuch-
con-
1t was no part of his intention to reply to the as
saults made upon him few days since, when this
matter was under consideration. He had to do with
more important matters than defending himself. These
personal reflections we're unbecoming the solemn oc-
casion on which they were now discussing the rights
of humanity. lie had taken occasion, for the hun
dreth time, to define his position and when gentlemen
imputed to him sentiments which they knew he did
not entertain he told them to beware lest their mis-
representations should be exposed. Gentlemen of the
South had introduced the discussion Of this subject
here 1t was a question which was discussed in all
our legislative bodies throughout the United States;
which was discussed in our political conventions by
our newspaper press, and by our literary periodicals;
in school districts and township meetings; in
prayers and the sacred pulpit by the frcside and by
the wayside; and he said to gentlemen, it too late
in the day to attempt to suppress the discussion of this
question. 1t would be discussed. Yet ne must say
he had not been DESTROYS, nor in any way insuum2n-
tai in introducing this subject into discussion at this
time. He deemed it inappropriate. The resolution
of his friend from Massachusetts did not allude to the
institution of slavery in any way, either directly or IN
directly. This resolution proposed an investigation
to ascertain simple matter Of fact In its preamble
it recited that reports had reached the ofmem
bers of this body that lawess mob had existed in
this city for two nights previous to the introduction of
the resolution setting at defiance the constituted au
thorties and the laws of the United States; and the
proposition was to inquire whether such was the fact,
It also stated that certain members Of this body had
been menaced by this awless mob and it proposed an
inquiry into this fact As gentlemen had imputed to
him Mr. G.) that he was the individual menaced it
was proper for him say that he had had no hand in
introducing the resolution; the gentlemen had done it
on the motion of his own will and not his, Mr. G's)
Gentlemen had represented him as not only introdu-
cling this resolution, but insisting ON the protection
of this House. There was nothing in this resolution
regarding protection. 1t only proposed to ascertain
the fact whether members of Congress had been mes
naced by lawless mob in the city of Washington,
1t was to let the people of the States throughout this
Union know whether their Representatives, sent here
for the discharge of their public duties, while conln-
ing themselves to this district had been menaced ny
lawless violence Did any man suppose that he Unit,
G. asked the protection Of this body II he ever had
occasion under heaven to ask protection from any hu-
man being, it was from this body not eft, 1t ne had
ever seen lawless mob it was on Fue7day lat at the