Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1852-09-17
Speech of J. r. Giddings.
In the House of Representatives, June %, 1852.


The two great political parties of the nation
have held their Conventions. From all parts OF
I these United States delegates assembled, delibe-
rated upon their platform of principles, avowed
! their doctrines, nominated their candidates for
/ President and Vice President and now have en-
tered upon the Presidential campaign Prepara-
! tory to this state OF thin s. many speeches were
made here, to which tie free democrats, the ad-
Vocates of liberty, listened with commendabe at
tenton. And now. Mr.. Chairman, | rise to oc-
cupy brlet hour in ylndcating the position of
the party to which am attached. Often during
the last six months, the question has been pro-
pounded to me whether we should vote for the
candidates of the Wing or Democratic party!
This question, so far as | am concerned, will
probably be answered satisfactorily before take
my seat. Twill, however add in this connection
that the friends of freedom labor to sustain tac7
SreS; they care little for men, They adhere te-
naciously 10 principle, but have 30 attachment to
parties.
1t IS not my purpose TO examine very critically
the principles of those parties. 1t may be suffi.
cient for me TO remark that they agree as to the
policy which ought TO control our government.
The Democrats first avOWed their doctrines.
Their confession of political faith having been
two weeks before the public, and being read and
duly considered before the assembling of the
Wing Convention, that body took issue upon none
OF the doctrines ayoWed,nor upon the policy main
tanned by the democrats. | notice in some pa
pers much is said in relation to Internal i'm
proVements. The Democrats say, the "Consti-
tuition does not confer upon the General Govern
mcnt power to commence and carry on a S1Sfell
q internal Improvements. DO the wtios take
issue on this general and unneaning assertion?
Not at all. They answer, I" the Constitution
vests In Congress power TO open and improve har-
borS, remove distractions in navigable rivers,
Nc, sad Improvements in crcF9 instance beiar
national and general in their character" Now.
sir no democrat ever did or ever will DENY this
doctrine. So, too, the Democrats make asser-
tons about fostering one branch of industry to
the detrment OF another" ara The Wigs refuse
the issue rendered. bat in answeras sert doctrines
which no Democrat denies. The Democrats at
tempt to gavanize into existence the obsolete
idea OF National Bank, 10 which the whirs
make no reply, admitting by their silence the de-
mocratic faith. Neither advances principle
which is deuied by the other ; they stand on the
record in perfect harmony. And no other con-
test exists than strife for Office, for place and
power; for the spos, the Ioaves and fishes.
This is the first time for many years that these
parties have each put forth an avowal of their
doctrines. In the change of times, and the ordi-
nary course of events, they now find themselves
IN perfect harmony with each other. The dav
OF their contention and disagreement has passed
away. The issues which once really existed be-
tween them have become obsolete or have been
given up. Their usefulness is at an end and
their history will soon be written The increase
OF intelligence, the improvements of the age de-
mand new organizations and new parties For
years the old parties have inlcsns slcd constant
ly and no influence has been able to keen them
separate Here, and throughout the country.
some Wings act with the Democratic party. and
some Democrats act with the wing party. For
the last four years there has been no matter of
Legislation before this body on which the members
have 'rrayed themselves according to their party
character. On every question, a portion of the
wing have act"d with the democrats and por-
ion of demOcr IS have acted with the wings
Indeed, sir, those who have watched the procee-
Gings here for the past few years, could not fail
TO see that slaver} constitutes the only question
of interest before us.
Notwithstanding the Wings and Democrats
are acting in perfect harmony with each other,
they lave united in rendering 10 the friends Of H.
berty, important issues. One of these issues is
so extraordinary, that it demands my first aiten-
ton. The proposition is to sUtle all further cxa-
mination of chattel slavery and is expressed bv
Resovcd, That Democratic party will rtsis, I'LL AZ
temps IL renewing III Congress out of it, irc of
the SLAYER! qesi under whatever shape color the at
temp. may be made
Inc W higa R,solved,
THAT We willdisconncnanccn MI efforts TO con-
tinue renew such agitation, Whenever whcrcN and
however made.
We, sir, the free Democracy, will agitate the
subject OF slavery and its corrclative, freedom.
Here, sir, is the issue formed between Us. !,
sir, about to agitate this question. intend
to speak plainly of slavery, OF lis most revolving
features. | Will cndeayor to use no offensive
language, bit will talk of the practice followed
by mea in this district, Of purchasing slave wo-
men, and then selling their own children into
bondage. Now, when do this, the Democrats
arc bound TO resist, and the wings TO diScounte-
nance, my efforts. Ia order that we may start
with perfect understanding of this conflict,
desire TO understand the manner in which the de-
mocrats Will manifest their resistance? am
now agitating this subject, and what will you do
about it.
Now, hope gentlemen will not feel any par
ucu!ar defcacy in showing their resistance.
BE not afraid gentlemcn-I am less than the
stripping OF Israel, who went forth to meet Coli
ali. You stand pledged to resist Gods truths
to silence the tongues of freemen. ! meet YOU
and hur defiance at You. and your infamous at
tempts to stlle the freedom of speech And now,
who speaks for the carrying ont of this resolution?
Mr.. Chairman, we may call spirits from the
vastly Deep but they will not come.
repeat to the Democrats, want to know
what you are going to do? You are bound to
resist.
Mr.. Durkee, Gn lis seat) Their tongues are
ted.
Mr. Giddings GU area friend of liberty and
not authorized 10 speak ior them. Laughter
want some one to answer who is authorized TO
speak for their party. | ask respectfully Of my
colleague from the Citcleville district, what do
you mean to do? How will you resist me?
Mr.. Odds. Il am we'll aware there is no time
to reply to an uterrogatory while the gentleman
is making speech. If he asks me how, rs an
Ohio Democrat, viii resist the agitation of tie
slavery question here and elsewhere, will an
swer him in a minute. shall resist it here by
voting against the suspension Of the rules for the
Introduction of the apple otdiscord into this house
shall resist it at home by telling my people to
stand by the compromises 0! the constitution, and
rather bear the Ills we have, than 10 fly to 9TH
ers we know not Of"
Mr. Giddings-Mr. Chairman, nv colleague
has given an answer entirely satisfactory. lie
will vote IA INST any suspension of the rules for
;r.r,,I,,c;-T .Io annie Cf ,:-rorI lie ;s ro-r,r,