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

tlOu ana rs having I'uAThcl tnhb inc BIout uOSu
and good example Of the illustrious dead should b
commcmorntci in proper respect and attention to tn
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B8LTlMOpE PLATFORMS SLAVERY QUESTION
SPEECH Of HON J. K. GIDDINGS, OF OHIO
LMs Honseof Representatives, Jnms %, 1852.
The House being in the Committee of tho Whole
On the state Of the Union the Deficiency Bill
Mr. GlDDINGS said
Mr. CHAIRsIAN: Tn two great poltica
parties Of the nation have held their Conven
tons. From all parts of these United State
delegates have assembled, dclberated upOr
their platform of principles, avOwed their doc
trines, nominated their candidates for Presi-
dent and Vice President and now have enter
ed upon the Presidential campaign. Prepare
tory to this state of things, many speeches were
made here. to which the Free Democrats, the
advocates of liberty listened with cOmmenda-
bic attention. And now, Mr. Chairman, rise
TO occupy brief hour in indicating the posi-
ton of the party to which am attached. Of
ten. during the last six months. the question has
been propounded to me, whether we should
vote Tor the candidates of the Wing or the
Democratic party! This question: so far az |
am concerned, will probably be answered sat
lslactorily before take my seat will, how
ever, add, in this connection, that the friends
of freedom labor to sustain measures, they care
little for men They adhere tenaciously to
principle. but have no attachment to parties.
1t is not my purpose to examine very criti-
cally the principles of those parties. 1t may
BE sufficient 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 maintained by the Demo-
Gratis
| notice in some papers much is SAID i'll re-
lati0n to internal improvements" The Dem
Otrata say " the Constitution does not confer
upOn tie General Government power TO COM
mcnce and carry on Il system Of internal nm
DrouemenB DO the Wings take issue Oh thls
general and unmeaning assertion Not ut all
They answer, the Constitution vests i'll Con.
gress power to open and improve harbors, re-
move Instructions IN naUgablc rivers, &c, Said
Improvements beng IN PUcrg instance national
and general IN ACT cha,Gcter Now, BIT, no
Democrat ever did or eyer will deny this doc
trine So too the Democrats make assertions
about fostering one branch Of industry to the
detrment Of another and the Wings refuse
the issue thu, rendered but, in answer, assert
doctrines which no Democrat denies. The
Democrat, attempt to galyanize into existence
the obsolete idea Of National Bank to which
the Whgs make no reply admitting by their
silence the Democratic faith Neither advances
g. 4 / Al, Al al
staII on the record in perfect harmony. And
no other contest exists than a strife for Office
for place and ppwcr for the spoils, the oavcs
and fishes
This IS the first time. for many years, that
these parties have each pat forth an avowal OF
their doctrines In the change of times and
the ordinary course of events, they now find
themselycs in perfect harmony with each other
The day Of their contention and disagreement
has passed away. The issues which once real
ly existed between them have become obsolete,
or have been gwen up. Their usefulness is at
an end, aud their history will soon be written
The Increase of intelligence the improvements
of the age. demand new organizations and
new parties For years, the old parties have
intermingled constantly, and no influence has
been able to keep them separate. Here, and
NAAA"NFA'hA wv N"NNAil o'lhN nv
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 arrayed
themscles according to their party character
On every question, portion of Wings have
acted with the Democrats, and a portion OF
Democrats have acted with the Wings. Indeed
sir, those who have watched the proceeding
here for the past few years, could not fail to
see that slavery constitutes tho only question
of interest before us
Notwithstanding the Wings and Democrat,
are acting in perfect harmony with each other
they have united in rendering to the friends o.
liberty important issues One of those issue,
is 50 extraordinary that it demands my first
attention. The proposition is to stihe all fur
Their examination of chattel slavery and il OK
pressed by the Democrats in the following Ian
guage:
RpsoIrai, That the Democratic party will rcss
all attempts nj renewing in Congress or out oft, the
agitation of the slavery question. under whatever
shape or color tho attempt may be made
The Wings resolved
That r we will dscountonanee all eff
forts to continue rcucw such agitation, whenever
wherever, and however made
" = "iA' wv Al'' bfluutIuCNs VIII UHllute tut
subject OF slavery and It's correlative freedom.
Here, sir rs An issue formed between us |, sir,
am about to agitate this question | intend to
speak plainly OF slavery Of its most revolving
features | will cndcavor to use no offensive
language, but will talk of the practice fol-
lowed by men in this District of purchasing
slave women, and then selling their own chill
dren into bondage. Now, when do ths, the
Democrats are bound TO resist. and the Wings
to disc0uRtcnaacc, my efforts. In order that we
may start with perfect understanding Of thin
conflict, desire to understand the manner in
which the Democrats will manifest their re-
sistanoet nm now agitating this subject, anc
what will you do about it!
Now, hope gentlemen will not feel any par
tcular deicacy in showing their resistance
Don'S be alarmed, gentlemen just stand uE
here and now before the country; show your
resistance BE not afraid, gentlemen-I am
less than the stripping of Israel who went forth
10 meet Goliath You stand pledged to resist
Gods truths--to silence the tongues of free
men. meet you and hurl defiance ut you,
and vour i'm famnus uttam nta IN SfiUa tina freo-