The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-27
THE REPUBLIC.

ture and admirable in its proportions. The monu-
ment will be erected in the hearts of the American
people to tho noble, lofty, selfsacrifcing spirit
which induced him in the hour Of common danger
to step forward aud sacrifice every thing in defence
OF his native land.
Mr.. GIDDlNGS congratulated the country on
the TACT that those who call themselves Free sellers
ON this fioor not the agitators neither in the
other branch OF Congress. Gentlemen may rise in
both Houses, and denounce the Frec-soilers from
week to week, and from month to month, to put
down the agitators when in fact, they say nothing
But an intelligent people and community will un-
derstand this defamation and SANDER which Is per-
petrated from day to day everywhere; and the
gentleman from Pennsy lyania, who seems To have
foreign mission secretaryship in his eye, had
taken occasion to pounce on them.
Mr. LEVIN said that he would have office ex-
cePt that which springs from the people.
Mr.. GIDDINGS replied. ALI offices spring
from the people, and the gentleman will take any
thing he can get. [Laughterl He then came to
the defence OF Mr. ALLEN, who had made charge
against Mr.. Webster, and said that an opportunity
should be given to Mr. ALLEN to prove the truth Of
his allegation. From what had been said by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania, the army was to
cut the threats of the people, and to put down free
tive Slave law, spoke Of il being odious to nine
tenths OF the northern people, He would say here
and everywhere, unhesitatingly, that no freemen
are bound to assist in the execution of the law II
was matter which lies between themselves, their
conscience, and their God, and he extended to the
freemen of Massachusetts his thanks.
MIR. MASON asked whether he approved Of the
Boston mob.
MIR. GIDDINGS did not know what the gentle
man meant by mob, but he would say this, if he
had been a colored man in Boston, as he is white
man, and southerner had come to seize his
brother sister, or any relative his life blood should
have flowed before he would have remained pas
sivc. He then noticed the remarks of Mr.. CLAY in
the Senate, spoke kind word for George Thomp-
son, and referred to the remarks of Mr.. HousToN
to day in defence of Mr.. Webster.
Mr.. HOUSTON. What am to understand?
MIR. GIDDiNGS. That the allusion to the gen
tleman from Massachusetts (Ar. ALLKN) was such
Mr.. HOUSTON. 1t is Of very little concern to
me whether you approve 1t or not.
Mr.. GIDDlNGS. II the gentleman had been
disposed to meet the question openly and fairly he
never would have said what lie did
Mr.. HOUSTON. The gentleman knows very
well that when obtained the floor was confined
to hye minutes; and it was not my purpose to
assail the gentleman from Massachusetts /
should do what did anywhere, and be happy to
afford him an opportunity to respond. l took &C.
casion this morning to express my opinion on the
charges against the Secretary Of State, and char
acterized them in the terms they mcrited. If that
is an assault, hope to be ready to sustain it.
Mr.. GlDDINGS. The gentleman volunteered
defence. Will he stand up now and say that the
charge is not true! No. But he attacks the gen
tleman from Massachusetts,, and calls HIM calum
niator!
Mr.. HOUSTON. spoke to the judgment of the
House and the Judgment of the country. When
| any gentleman here, in any mode, or elsewhere,
prefers charges, ia not the duty incumbent him
to ask for investigation, not those who consent
| traverse and deny them?
Mr.. GIDDINGS. The gentleman from Massa-
| chusetts Mr.. ALLHN) did invoke investigation,
and the gentleman from Delaware did not come
forward and give him the privilege Of proving the
| truth OF the charges. 1t is cowardly.
MIR. HOUSTON. hurl back the charge of COW
ardce with soorn and contempt. So far from OPP
| posing the gentleman from Massachusetts,, am
for giving him all the opportunity which he seeks.
Mr.. GiDDINGS. The gentleman pronounced
| the charges calumnious and slanderous, without
giving the gentleman from Massachusetts, an op-
portunity to prove them and then marched to his
seat. It does not become statesmen to indulge in
these things, except in defence. We are sent here
to lcgislate for the country.
Mr.. MARSHALL alluded to MIR. GipDINGs's re-
marks with reference to Mr.. CLAY, and said he did
not think that any friend Of law and order in this
House or the country would be disposed to crafty
the gentleman from Ohio by taking up the gaunt-
let just thrown down. The object was to make an
issue or start an agitation. We have yet the most
important bills to act upon, and to receive amend
ments to bills from the Senate; therefore, instead Of
making speech, he moved that the committee
rise. with view to terminate the debate.
The committee roseJ and resolution having
been adopted to terminate the debate to- at
one O'clock
The House again went into committee on the
Army bill.
Mr.. HOWARD proceeded to show that the pro-
sent army is totally inadequate to the public dc.
fence; butt without concluding his remarks, gave
way, at twenty minutes to nine O'Clock, for q mo-
ton that the committee rise, which prevailed.
And the House adjourned.