Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1852-09-20
SPEECH OF
Hon. j. h. GHDDENGS.

OF OHIO,
In the House Of Representatives, June %, 1852.
The House being in Committee of the Whole
on the state of the Union on the Deficiency
Bill
q Mr.. GIDDINGS said:
'a Mr.. CHARM AN: The two great political par
ties of the nation have held their Conventions
From all parts of these United States delegates
have assembled, deberated upon their platform
of principles, avowed their doctrines, nominated
their candidates for President and Vice President,
and now have entered upon the Presidential cam
apaign. Preparatory 10 this state Of things, many
speeches were made here, to which the Free
Democrats the advocates of liberty listened with
commendabe attention. And now, Mr.. Chair
man, rise TO occupy brief hour in indicating
the position Of the party 10 which am attached.
Often during the last six months, the question has
been propounded 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. will, however, add, in this
connection, that the friends Of freedom labor 10
sustain measures; they care not for men. They
adhere generously TO principle, but have no at
tachment to parties
Ii is not my purpose TO examine very critically
the principles of those parties. 1t may be suf-
hcient 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 avowed, nor upon the policy MAIN
tanned by the Democrats. notice in some pa
pers much is said in relation to ''internal inn
provements." The Democrats say slhe Consti-
tuition does not confer upon the General Govern
sment power 10 commence and carry on system
of ternGEimproUemeRts. y Do the Wings take
issue on this general and unfneanlDg assertion?
Mot at all. They answer, 'dhe Constitution vests
in Congress, power to open and improve harbors,
remove distractions in navigabe rivers, &C.,
said improvements being an eVery instance nd-
tioRdk and general IN their chGracter.' Now,
sir no Democrat ever did or ever will deny this
doctrine &c. too, the Democrats make asser-
tions about clustering one branch OF industry 10
the detriment Of another" and the Wings refuse
the issue thus rendered, but in assert doc
trines which no Democrat denies The Demo-
Gratis attempt to galvanze into existence the OBJ
solete idea of National Bank, to which the
Wings make no reply, admitting by their silence
the Democratic faith. Neither advances prin-
chile which is denied by the other; they stand
on the record in perfect harmony. And no
other contest exists than strife for office, for
place and power; for the spos, The loayes and
fishes.
This is the first time for many years, that these
parties have each put forth an ayowal OF their
doctrines In the change of times, and the ordi-
nary course of events, they now hnd lhemsel,e s
in perfect harmony with each other. The day of
their contention and disagreement has passed
away The issues which once really existed be-
a., haxf n ha Vp
giyen 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
wears the old parties have intermingled constant
", and no influence has been able to keep 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 mem
bers have arraved themselves according 10 their
party character. On every question, portion Of
wings have acted with the democrats, and por-
ton of democrats have acted with the wings
Indeed, sir, those who have watchedthe proceed
ings here for the past few years, could not fail to
see that slavery constitutes the only question Of
interest before us.
Notwithstanding the wings and democrats are
acting in perfect harmony with each other. they
have united in rendering to the friends Of liberty
important issues. One oe those issues is so ex-
traordinary, that It demands my first attention.
The proposition is to sife all further examination
OF chattel slavery, and is expressed by the demo-
Gratis, in the following language:
"Resolved, That the Democratic party will resist
all attempts at renewing Congress- or out off the
agitation Of the slavery question, under whatever
shape or color the attempt may be made"
M WIKI, rasoIvod-
ssThat we will discountenance all ef-
forts 10 continue or renew such agitation whenever,
wherever and however made"
We, sir, the free democracy, will agltate the
subject Of slavery and its corrclative, freedom
Here, sir, is an issue formed between us: !, sir,
am about to agtate this question. | intend to
speak plainly Of slavery, of tsmost revolving lea
tuees. | will endeavor to use no offensive Ian
guage, but will talk Of the practice followed by
men 10 this district, of purchasing slave women
and then selling their own children into bondage
Now. when do this, the democrats are bound Ia