Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-05-26

MIR. Giddings replied he would do it; but
he did not like TO have the gentleman con-
sumo his time by putting questions wholly
irrelevant TO the subjects he was discussing.
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 gentle
man suppose that, because he would not in
terfere with the slavery Of the South, he was
to stand here with his lips Theoretically seal
ed from expressing his sentiments upon the
outrages and wrongs perpetrated in uphold
ing this institution in this District No;
he would unseal them he would give eX-
preston TO his deep adherence. Would
gentlemen say that he was not to speak upon
slavery here because they had slaves at the
South Take care OF your own slaves, (said
he We will look to those under our pro-
lection.
He was remarking that he stood here as a
legislator under the constitution. His duties
were plain, SO plain that the wayfaring man,
though a fool, could not mistake them.-
They were to let the slavery of the Southern
States alone. 1t had ever 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 fellow
men ; they had violated the duties which
they owed to themselves, their constituents,
and the human race. Now repeal those laws
which involved 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 as
a member of this body. This result they in
fpndph IN hrinn about o.. and ha tonl- ooo.,;on
to say 10 gentlemen, You shall not bring us
to share with you in the guilt and the turpi-
tude of this traffic in human flesh now carried
on here under our protection. 1t was the
voice OF the people of the free States that they
would not remain thus contaminated with
the guilt Of that institution; and he said 10
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
separation Of this Government from all inter
ference 1CM Sldrery was the motto which
they had placed on their banner. 1t was
freedom the rights Of man; uncontaminated
with this foul blot on the American escut.
cheon.
1t was no part of his intention to reply tC
the assaults made upon him a few day
since, when this matter was under conside
ration. He had to do with more importan
matters than defending himself. These per
sonal reflections were unbeeoming the so
Tenn occasion on which they were now dis
cussing the rights of humanity. He ha(
taken occasion for the hundredth time TO de
fine his position and when gentlemen i'm
puted to him sentiments which they knew
he did not entertain, he told them to beware
lest their misrepresentation should be eX'
posed. Gentlemen of the South had intro.
duced the discussion of this subject here
1t was a question which was discussed In al
our legislative bodies throughout the United
States which was discussed by our polili-
cal conventions, by our newspaper press, and
by our literary periodicals in our school
district and township meetings in prayers
and the sacred pulpit by the freside and
by the wayside and he said to gentlemen
it was too late in the day to attempt TO sup.
press the discussion. 1t would be discuss
ed. Yet he must say he had not been de-
slrous, nor in any way instrumental in in
Producing this subject into discussion at this
time. He deemed it inappropriate. The
resolution of his friend from Massachusett
did not allude to the institution of slavery in
any way, either directly or indirectly. This
resolution proposed an investigation TO as
certain a simple matter of fact. In its pre-
aInble 1t recited that reports had reached the
ears of members of this body that a ldwless
mob had existed in this city for two nights
previous 10 the introduction of the resolution,
setting at defiance the constituted authorities
and the laws of the United States and the
proposition was TO inquire whether such was
the fact. 1t also stated that certain members
of this body had been menaced by this law
less mob, and it proposed an inquiry into
this fact. AS gentlemen had imputed to hin
(Mr. G.) that he was the individual menaced
it was proper for him to say that he had ne
hand in introducing the resolution; the gen.
tleman had done it on the motion of his owl
will and not his, (Mr. G's.) Gentlemen
had represented him as not only introducing
this resolution, but as insisting on the pro
lection of this body. They had represented
the gentleman from Massachusetts as asking
the protection of this House. There wa
nothing in this resolution regarding protec
tlon' 1t only proposed to ascertain the fac
whether members Of Congress had beef
menaced by a lawless mob in the city o
Washington. 1t was to let the people of tn,
States throughout this Union know whethe
their Representatives, sent here for the dis
charge of their public duties, while combining
themselves to this District, had been menaceC
by lawless violence. Did any man supPos
that he (Mr. g. asked the protection OF thi
body! IL he ever had occasion under hea
ven to ask protection from any human being
it was from this body, not Of it. If he haC
ever seen a lawIess mob, it was on Tuesda,
last at the Jail and in this House. He haC
heard members here, while the gallerie
were filled, and while many composing tn,
mob were said 10 be in them, declare them
selves ready to justify the mob to the mlles
extent. He had no disposition 10 look 70
protection to a body from which he had re
ceived as many %indignities as he had from
members of Congress. Wa he, n this lat
day, TO come here TO ask for protection !
No. 1t was no part Of his object. No, sal
he LET the Houca IroIa.t 10 honor