Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-04-12
Mr. GlddingS on Slaye.CatChing.

In recent speech Mr. Giddings said;-
| The people of Boston did not see fit to in
teriere between the Administration and the
"negrocs" of that city. In the name of hu-
manity thank them for il, and assure them
and tile country that those whom represent
never will interfere in such case. The citi-
zen that would do so would he driven from
decent society in northern Ohio. Ii is here
OH this point that take issue with the sup
porters of this law. That portion which
commands me TO assist in catching slaves is a
fragrant usurpntion of power, unauthorized
by Tic Constitution. My constituents hold.
that portion of the law in detestation. They
spurn aud ubhor it. say, as have often
snid, "My constituents will not help you
catch your slaves" They will feed the hun
CRY, clothe the naked, aud direct the wander
er on his way, aud use every peaceful means
TO assist him to regain his God-gven rights.
II you pursue your slave there, they will
let you catch him il you can. If he defends
himself against you, they will rejoice. II
you press him so hard that he is constrained
actually TO slay you in seli-delence, why, sir,
they will look on aud submit with all proper
resignation. In such cases they will carry
ont their peace principles 10y nbstaning from
all interference. The President may "dim
his proclamation at Them" The distinguished
Senator may make speeches AT them but
they will not be likely TO heed either They
look neither to the Senate nor to the White
House for instruction respecting their Con-
stitulonal rights or duties. They have studi-
ed them in different school.
Sir, that man has lived to little purpose
who, at the age of forty, does not know that
standing army, in time of peace, is the
bane of free Governments. Ii is the instrI-
ment of tyrants and usurpers. For what
purpose would the President now use the
Army, except TO enforce this odons law: 10
subject the people OF the North TO the slave
power? To shoot them down if they refuse
TO violate their own symputhes and Gods
commands? Sir, | would say to gentlemen
here and elsewhere, that the advocates Of
freedom are not 10 be intinliduted. They
know their power; il is the power of truth
They see it operating upon tic popular
mind. The great heart of this mighty nation
beats in unison with our doctrines. This
feeling is increasing aud extending into every
vein and artery of society. lis power at this
moment holds in check the Legislatures of
four sovereign States OF this Union, neither
(which is able to elect Senators TO Congress
who oppose the truth we preach. Our pro
gress is onward. Neither threats OF using
the Army, nor the Army ITSELF can retard
the rapid advance of truth.
No cry of "danger TO the Union" can
alarm the people, or ffighten them into obe-
dience to this law. This "igniS .tdtuus of
dissolution has for moro than year constitute
ed the entire capital on which certain poli-
cal leaders have traded. A greater hum6ng
was never conceived or brought forth. The
gigantic intellect of the Secretary Of State,
aided by The political experience of certain
distinguished Senators and politicians, could
alone have given birth to this "Spiendid fail
iTe," which if put forth by men in the more
humble walks of life would have entitled
them TO lodgings in some unatic asylum
There is but one mitigating consideration
connected with il; that is the consistency
with which the President aud his Cabinet
ure striving TO keep up the deception. The
late proclamation against the negroes nt
Boston constitutes burlesque upon civil
governments which is strictly in keeping
with "Union meetings" and the cry Of
danger TO the Union," put forth in this
House, in the Senate, and 10y the Executive.
The history of the times will show these
things in their true light, and place these dis
union panics among the most extraordinary
intentions of any age. The authors should
at once obtain patents both here and in
Europe.