Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-07-11
rEr. steyens, Speech.

in the House of Representatives, short time ago,
which IS now before US 1t is scorcher We
should like to publish it entire, but our columns
are so crowded just now, that we cannot find room.
We append fsV extracts:
When ventured some time since to eige nv
opinion freely Of the real condition and evils of
slavery. expected to be assaed by the defenders
of the institution. While that greatest, most hon.
est, and most fearless. of modern statesmen, who
was stricken down by death in this Hall, was, al
most unaided, defending human rights, and de-
nouncing the horrors Of slavery, we saw him, from
year TO year, the object of The bterest personal
abuse in this House, and by the slave press every
'where.s No motives were too foul TO lmpute To
him: no crimes too atIocious to charge upon him.
lit was sought 10 expel him from this body, and II
WAS prevented only by his own gallant defence.
Sir trust it will not be supposed that have the
VANITY to expect to be touched by any Of the rays
Sof that glory which will forever surround his name
I on account of the calumnes, The insults, and the
prosecutions, which he endured in this high and
aholy cause. But if ] could indulge such hopes,
sgentlemen of the South and those who are no gen.
stlemen flom the North are kindly contributing to
4 my ambitious aspiration My late speech has
been deemed OF sufficient importance to attract at
atention, not to 1t, but to its author. Sir, our
! and our remarks here are legitimate subjects OF
Rcomment and rigid examination /; and when any
humble effo1t of mine shall receive such notice in
zthe only way which gentlemen will pursue it will
give me pleasure TO retract what am convinced s
wrong and calmly TO defend the rest, however Sc
! we're may be the criticism.
i I do not remember one of the numerous gentle
! men who have referred to my remarks, who has
sattempted to deny one OF the facts, or reute one
4 of the arguments they have noticed them merely
Eto yi,uperate their author To such remarks there
can be no reply by him who is not willing TO place
himself on a level with blackguards cannot
enter that arena. ] will leave the filth and the
slime of Billingsgate to the fish women, and to
/ their worthy coadjutors, the gentlemen from Viz
ginia Mr. MIllson, from North Carolina, Mr..
2Stanly, from Kentucky MIR. Stanton,l from Ten
9nessee, [Mr. Williams. and all that tribe With
sthem can have no controversy. When ] want
s to combat with such opponents and such weapons.
81 can find them any day by entering the fish mar
Sket, without defling this Hail.
q beg those respectable ish-ladies, however. 10
understand that | do not include my colleague
: sf1om Bucks county among those whom deem III
ito be their associates. l would not so degrade
] them.
g There is, in the natural world little, spotted,
gcontemptible animal, which is armed by nature
with fetid, VOLATILE penetrating UsTuS which SD
pollutes whoever attacks it, to make him often
sive to himself and all around him for long time.
Indeed he is almost incapable OF Purllcation.-
Nothing sir no insult shall provoke me to crush
so filthy beast
q In speaking Of the Compromise bill before the
SSenate, he says:
An amendment proposed by the Committee OF
Thirteen provides, that the claimant may make
Sup a record before court III his own State with
out notice TO the alleged fugitive, proving his sla-
Every and absconding and, on producing this be-
7fore the High Court of Tide Walters or POstmas
Nrers it shall be taken be conclusive evidence OF
I the facts and on the production OF which, those
officers are required to give the certificate oi sla-
%yery. These are most extraordinary tribunals
q These are awful trials. Clerks Of courts, mar
&shas, collectors, and township postmasters, are
4ransformed into high iustciaries, whose signature
Ito prepared certificate is to be conclusive OF the
! liberty of human beings! They are the sole judg-
les of the law and the evidence; and from their
#udgement there is no appeal. The ha6eaS corpus
s. is annulled trial by jury denied The evidence,
s. which they are bound TO hold conclusive, may he
made up er parte by affidavit or record, thou
sand miles from the party whose safety is involved
q in it. If on his arrest he should be able TO prove
that he was born free, and had resided in free
Estate all his life, he is not permitted to do it.
HThese er parte records close his mouth, and stop
S3up judicial ears. These learned judges-these
Etide walters and country postmasterS, who make
no pretension to legal learning, are compelled, not
Hto Judge, but to decide without judging, that the
aafidavit of distant soul dealer is evidence of
Eslavery, which cannot be gainsaid. The slave
#hunter may bring his postmaster-ludge, as we'll as
Ahis proof with him for the law gives jurisdiction
q not only TO one residing but beng i'll the Stale
Ewhere the arrest is made Behold this court and
jury to pass on human liberty Ian overseer, with
Ia power of attorney the affidavit of profession
Eal save-trader an itInerant postmaster from Fr-
ginia signing Judgment in a bar room; the defend
Hant, hand-cuffed negro, without counsel witness
Nor Judge. Verify, second Daniel has come 10
Ejudgment