Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-01-04
GeIcrtions.
i, Speech Of Hon. j. Is. Gitlt,ings.

In The House Of Representatives. at Washington,
MONDAY, Dec. o, 1850.
MIR. Giddings rose and said: move sir
to insert between the resolution last read
aud the one succeeding, the following, as n
distinct resolution:
Resolved, That so much Of said message and
accompanying documents as relates to the do
mcstc policy, be referred to the Judiciary Com
mittee.
Mr.. G.. continued as follows: II has been
usual, sir, for this body, while considering
the Presidents message in Committee OF the
n Whole, to investigate and examine its po-
litical character. In accordance with that
freedom of discussion which has usually
characterized our consideration of this doc
ument, / will avail myself of the present
moment TO examine that portion which re-
lates TO our domestic affairs. | did not an
, ticipate sir, that the message would be un-
der consideration to-day, and am not, there
fore, prepared at present to give II that eX-
animation which ! should have bestowed
upon it, bad more time for preparation, for
examining its details. There are some por-
tions of the message which / heartily APP
prove, which | desire TO commend, and in
which | most heartily coincide. In its gen
eral features and character, its boldness, its
candor, its perfect frankness, it is highly to
be approved. 1t is what was due from that
high finctionary. In all his positions, so far
as he has laid them down, "whoso readcth
can understand" There is no deception,
nor any uncertainty in the Presidents posi-
ton. Thus far | most cheerlully commend
il. But, sir, | will call your attention to
that portion OF il which refers to our domes-
tic policy, as being the most interesting to
the House and the country.
But before proceed TO the examination
of that portion which relates to the fugitive
bill, will call the attention of this House
10 the Presidents views Of the veto power.
On this point he has not hesitated TO speak
his own views, and TO cast aside and discard
the doctrines OH which he was elected.
% Ii is well known that in the canvass of
184S the Wing party yowed it as one OF
their cardinal principles, that the President
should never exercise the prerogative of ve-
toing bill unless it was clearly unconstitu-
tional. The President now goes as far in
support of the unlimited use of the veto, as
ever Jackson or Polk or Tyler professed
10 go.
For his boldness and fiankness OH this
point he is entitled TO our comnendation.-
But | have curiosity to see how many of
bis political friends will face about at this
bidding of the Executive aud discard their
former doctrines.
But il is very evident that the President
has an object in this change of views Oh the
subject of the veto. BY looking at the latter
portion Of the message, it is evident that he
intends we shall understand, that he will ve
TO any law for the repeal this fugitive bill
and in order to open the way TO that result,
with some show of consistency, il was ne
cessary for him to discard the doctrines oh
which he was elected. For his candor and
boldness in thus casting aside the errors
of his party, l think him entitled to our ap.
4, probation.
The President next quotes that portion of
the Constitution in which he says !" the Con-
stitution has made it the duty of the Pres-
? dent to see that the laws be faithfully exc
cuted."
.f The necessity or propriety of this quota
ton is not SO very obvious. l do not think
II has been quoted for the last twenty-five
years by any President; but it is now evil
IDENTIFY quoted in consequence of the diff
cultics which have attended the arrest of flu
gitiye slaves under this law. 1t is an init
nation that he will use the army and navy
TO execute this odious enactment
One prominent feature of the whole mes
sage is, however, perfectly Obvious. The
President intends that the South shall un-
uefSthuu tilut nc iutcHuS W ollsuhil tilcil III
stitutons.
The constitution provides that the "cti-
zens of each State shall be entitled to all
the privileges and immunites of the citizens
of the several States" He knows that our
free colored citizens of the North have been
seized in southern States and sold into bon
dage--held in degrading servitude, that hun
dreds, and perhaps thousands, are now bow
ing beneath the lash in southern chains.
Sir does he allude to the return of these
freemen? Does he tell us that this para
mount law of the land shall be sustained
that he will see it be duly executed? No,
sir he has not word nor an alluson to this
Z transcendant outrage upon the ConslIu-
ton, while he is particular upon those laws
which relate TO the return of fugitive slaves.
Again: he has seen the agents of Massa-
chusetts driven by mob violence from South
4 Carolina and louisiana, when sent there 20
see the laws executed by their courts for the
q relief of our freemen who are there held in
degrading serviude; but he makes no allu-
b sion to these outrages.
-. will now quote, with pleasure, senti-
meht in which fully concur. The Presi-