The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-07-08

utulOSpncTt. deprive uo vi o1Oi'hSi Va
winds, and showers-and vapors, poisonous ex-
halations, and miasmas, would be around us;
and we should inhale death in the unseen at
mosphere. Such, too, is precisely the case IN
the political air of this nation. Stop agitation,
and the political atmosphere will soon be filled
with frauds. abuses, and corruptons which
would be inhaled by your Executive and pub
lie men, the vital blood of the nation would be
poisoned and the body polite would putrety.
But this opposition to freedom, 50 dominant
in the Wing and Democratic parties, led to the
organization of the friends of liberty into sep
arate political party in lS4S The extraordl-
nary circumstances which then surrounded the
advocates of freedom called together mighty
host On the memorable ninth of August, OF
that year, fifty thousand freemen met in solemn
convocation There were men of distinction,
men of intellect, statesmen and philanthropists.
They were conscious of the responsibility rest
ing upon them. In framing Il confession OF
their political faith, they laid its foundations
upon the enduring eternal principles of justice.
The equal right Of all men to enjoy life liberty,
and happiness, constitutes the basis OfOur creed;
and the next article asserts That Governments
are constituted among men to secure these
rights All our action under the Constitution
should be to protect the life and liberty of every
human being within our exclusive jurisdiction.
That legislativepowersin this District, on the
high seas, in our Territories should be exerted
to secure every being who bears Gods image,
in his right to life and liberty, instead of estab-
fishing and sustaining oppression and slavery
Here, sir, at this point, an issue between us and
the other parties, deep and broad, is presented.
And from this position the friends of humanity
will never depart
1t is an important fact, that neither the
Wing nor Democratic party profess to pay any
respect or attention to moral principles in
their legislation. BY their practice they deny
the responsibility of human action, 80 far as
politics are concerned. They hold that mem
bers OF this body may pass laws which deprive
our fellowmen of life or liberty, and that those
who enact such laws are not morally guilty of
enslaving or numbering their fellow-men. We,
sir, hold that those who enacted the Fugitive
Slave Law are as guilty in the sight of God and
good men as they would be were they them
selves to seize a white man, place irons upon
his limbs, and send him to slavery without law
In such crimes, we, the advocates of freedom
will not participate One of our resolutions
adopted at Buffalo was in these words:
Resolcei That it is the duty of the Federal Gov
eminent to relieve itself from all responsibility foy tie
ertSte1ce or continuance Of SLAVERY, wherepey pos.
SeSseS constitutional authority 10 Rgisiate on that
subject"
This resolution is in direct and unqualified
conflict with the entire policy of the Wing and
Democratic parties relative to slavery. 1t is in
conflict with the platforms of those parties, to
which have called attention. Basing our
whole political action upon the plainest princi-
pies of justice, liberty, and humanity, we chal-
lenge examination, discussion, agitation. We
seek to cover up nothing, to keep nothing from
the popular ear The more you examine and
discuss our doctrines and policy, the better are
we pleased.
We, sir, would drive the slave question from
discussion in this Hall. 1t never had consti-
tutiOnal existence here. Separate this Govern
ment from all interference with slavery let
the Federal power wash its hands of that in
sttuton; let us purify ourselves from its con-
tagion-leaye it with the States, who alone have
the power to sustain it then, sir, will agitation
cease in regard to it here; then we shall have
nothing to do with it, our time will no more be
occupied with it, and, like a band of freemen,
band of brothers. we could meet here, legis-
late for the prosperity, the improvement of
mankind, for the elevation of our race.
Mr.. Chairman, have served in this Hall
some fifteen years. During that period, think
at least two thirds of the time of this body has
been occupied by the subject of slavery, and
other matters connected with that institution
For the last three years we can scarcely be
said to have done anything else but discuss
and legislate for slavery. This, sir, is all wrong
Slavery is a local institution existing only in a
portion of the States. The attempt to nation
alize it is unwarranted and unconstitutional
To do this is now the object of both the Wing
and Democratic parties. Against these at
tempts, we, the Free Democracy wage unceas-
ing, undying, unyielding hostility. This war
we shall never give up We shall never lay
aside our arms until victory shall crown our ef-
forts until this Government shall be redeemed
and disenthralled from the foul stain of chat
tel slavery. Against oppression, in all its forms
and in all places, we have sworn eternal hos
tility. Our sympathy for suffering humanity
is broad as creation, reaching to all climes, and
embracing all who bear the image of our Crea-
surance that "we feel for those in bonds as
bound with Them On this subject the Dem
ocrats have spoken oracularly
The Wings talk about entangling alliances
and standing on foreign soil" but they dare
not take distinct issue on the propriety of ex-
erting our moral power, our political influence,
to maintain the law of nations. Substantially,
both Wings and Democrats are opposed to us
Oh this subject They would permit Russia or
Austria to swallow up Hungary, without any
protest or expression of our disapprobation
We sympathize with the oppressed of all ma
tons; and we, the Free Democracy, literally
constitute the party of progress. At Buffalo
al &C III Co.. III
people, and inscribed it upon our banner, and
vantages of increasing the facilities of commu-
nication among the masses and determined to
confer upon our country these benefits while
Wings and Democrats were too timid to take
a position either for or against it.
am aware that we are often charged with
being men of one idea-indeed, we are some
times called the pdrty Of one idea--and refer
to these facts to vindicate ourselves from that
charge. We dared go where neither of those
parties were willing to follow US, nor to oppose
us and in less than three years the correct
ness of our position has been acknowledged
before the country
Lands for the poor, homes for the destitute
free of expense to all who will immigrate to
the West was another article in our political
creed. To this policy, neither the Wing nor
Democratic party dared express their consent
nor dared they oppose it. At this session
bill, carrying out our views on this subject
passed this body by vote of nearly two to
one. The Senate will doubtless comply with
the popular will of the nation by passing this
measure of benevolence, which will cause thou
sands of hearts to swell with gratitude and
JOY, Sir the Free Democracy believe that Gov
ernments were constituted to protect elevate,
and render our race. our whole race, more
happy. That it Is our duty rs statesmen as
phIlanthropists, as Christians, so far as we
have constitutional power, =" to raise up the
bowed down" "to exalt the humble" "to in