Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-01-18
THE GREEN MOUNTAIN

Mr.. Giddings. Does the gentleman under.
take to say that Lewis Williams made report
in the Senate?
Mr.. Burt say Mr.. Williams. | don't
know that il was Lewis Williams | have not
known the public records SO long as the Gentle
man from Ohio.
Mr.. Giddngs, lin his seat.) MOI SO well Ell
Their.
Mr.. Burt ! said Mr. Williams did make
report.
Mr.. Giddings. said Lewis Williams did
make report, at the head of the Committee on
Claims in this House, among whom were three
southern shareholders, who gave their approval Of
the report, which stated that this slave, together
with the horse and cart were impressed, and that
he was killed by shot from the cnemy's batter
ry.
At the period to which was referring when
interrupted, had been placed at the head of the
Committee on Claims, by the then Speaker of
thr House, Hon John White, of Kentucky of
whom, though a stakeholder, can never speak
except with profound respect. There were at
that time many claims for slaves before that com
mittee. In this Hall, before the House, was
Intercepted by a STAKEHOLDER Mr. WISE of Yer
ginia, on this subject. | was asked distinctly
whether our committee would report in fdror Of
paying for SLAVES? | answered, that would
follow the established practice on that subject.
He replied, that my answer was evasye, but
that the established practice was not to pay Tor
slaves. 1t SO happened, that on the 2lst of
March, 1912, | introduced certain resolutions
declaring the nights of the people Of the free
Suites TO be exempt from the support of the
slave trade. For this was driven from my seat.
Another member was added to the Committee
on Claims; and then, sir, duribg my absence,
just eight days after left the committee, this
case was urged upon the members, who were
most Of them inexperienced in their duties, and
unacquainted with the preccdents. lett tins
Hall on the 22d of March, and on the first day
of April following, a bill was reported by
slaveholding member of TINT Committee, to pay
for the man Lewis. This was the first case of
the kind that ever received a favorable report
from that particular committee and that report
was obtained in the manner just stated 1t was
in the siXty-seyenth year OF American indepcn.
dence, and fifly-third of our Constitution. This
is the history of this subject, and OF this bil.-It
was reported seven years since by a Wing COM
mttee. We are yet to see whether this House
can be induced to pass it.
Sir, we have the power to oyertuln the prac-
tice of this body from its first formations we may
overthrow It's established and time honored prin-
ciples; VIC may defeat the objects of those who
framed the Constitution; we may subvcrt the es.
sential elements of that sacred compact which
we arc sworn to support; we may attempt to
change the laws Of our eXistencG--to delace the
work Of God, ard declare his image to be prop
erty we may do all this at the bidding of the
slave power; we may humble ourselves in the
presence of those who hold the rod of terror over
us but there is a superior Power that will hold
us to strict account of our stewardship. Sir,
the eyes oil the people are upon us; thay are
watching our actions. The concentrated rays
ofintelligence now brought to bear on cur do
ings, render it impossible for us to deceive them
No evasion no suberiuge will screen those who
would render northern feemcn subsidiary to the
support of southern Slarey.
To this day there has been in this Hall sufii-
cient independence and patriotism to reject all
propositions of this huniliating character As
have said, We are now driven 10 legslatc by
southern SHAREHOLDERS, under the lash of the
South.
Mr.. Burt. hope the gentleman from Ohio
will allow me this opportunity to di7claim utter
ly and Indignantly airy such impatation.
Mr.. Giddings. Withdraw it then.
) Mr. Burt | venture TO appeal to this whole
committee, who heard my remarks.
Ms. Giddings. / thought ,vker, tho e.a,aile.
man Said be would hold northern gentlemen tC
this point, whether a slave was property, that i
, looked little like the language of intimidation
} a little of the crack Of the whip. And will say
) to the gentleman from Connecticut, Mr.. Rock
f well, that took it a little unkindly.
I Sir, when | reflect that | am now constrained
to sit in this Hall to legslate on tie price of hu
man flesh as property feel BUNDLED. Before
0 the naton before Heaven, protest against th
Y degradation By what rule shall arrive at tn
S raue Of this man? lie is said to be very ntelli
= gent and learned, reading and writing four Ian
guages. In this respect he has, probably, few
:. equals in this Hall. mean no offence by til
] comparison, either to the gentlemen now present
! or to the negro who is absent ! regard til
n moral qualities Of man as the proper criterion
= by which to graduate my respect. In this light
c know not whether the comparison be unjust {
= him or to those who estimate his vaiue at precise
. Ia thousand dollars. | would be as willing t
enter into an inquiry as to the value of the bod
>, of the honorable member reporting this BILL as
J. am to estimate the value of man, who as a lin
Is gust, probably has not dozen equals in thi
t, body. five are to Judge of him by the ropo
t, of the committee if placed in this body he migl
e have reflected honor upon our country and OF
N race The splendor Of his genius might hay
Is scared far above tn groveIng inteects now CT
d. gagged in figuring up his value in dollars an
c. cents. His name might have been placed in fl
W ture history beside that of Writ, of Henry,
D. Burke, and of Sheridan or perhaps his philal
re thropy might have placed him on the roll of fan
le with Adams and Wilberforce. And yet we 81
I'd sitting here to inquire as to the value of this in
lie mortal mind, to estimate its price in ghtteril
ic dust" My soul shrinks from the mpious sacl
lis iege with loathing and disgust. But this eth
IT, rial, immortal intellect, was bound in chains
bondage, shut out from that sphere of usetulne
It and action in which God designed it to NOV
&c and we are now asked to compensate this clair
- ant for committing this wrong to mankind, ii
n crime against God ! am anxious to see ho
ed northern members estimate their fellow men.
e. What price do they put upon their constituents
lie Let their votes give the answer,
On former occasion, cited the opinion
49, an eminent jurist Judge Mcl.ean) on this su
he ject
SO In the case of Groves Us. Slaughter and OF
his ers, Us Pcterss Reports 449 this question cal
om distinctly before the Supreme Court of the III
The ted States The constitution of Mississippi h
ri prohibited the introduction of slaves into II
ch Stale after a certain day. Slaves we've talk
there and sold on a credit after the time allow
the by the constitution Of that State Snlt "
commenced on the note given in considerati
of the slaves. The defence set up was, that
her contract was illegal and void under the const
lie. ton of that State, which prohibited the 81
re- therein of slaves from without the State. Il
the reply to this was, that slaves were property,
to therefore the State Of Mississippi had no pow
e to prohibit their Introduction into the State,
ny the power to regulate commerce between
ave States belonged only to Congress- In decidi
hat the law, Judge Mclean said:
Sc "By the laws Of certain states, slaves
the treated as property; and the constitution of NJ
nee sissippl prohibits their being BROUGHT inin h