Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-07-22
HON, J.R. GlDDINGS SPEECH,


cheney Bill, Mr.. Giddings said:
: Mr.. CHAIRMAN: The two great political par
} ties OF the nation have held their Conventions.
From all parts Of these United States deepates
nave assembled, delberated upon their platform
OF principles, avowed their doctrines, nominated
their candidates for President and Vice President
and now have entered upon the Presidential
campaign. Preparatory to this state of things,
many speeches were made here, to which the
Free Democrats, the advocates of liberty, listen
ed with confmendable attention. And now, Mt.
Chairman, | rise TO occupy brief hour in vim
dlcatlng the position of the party to which ON
attached. Often, during the last six months, the
question has been propounded to me, whether
we should vote for the candidates of the. Wing
ot 'ne Os"oor1u0 psrty This question, 30 far
as am c9ESSEaaM will UraoahIv ba ansssArad
satisfactorily 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 tenaciousy to principle
but have no attachment to parties.
1t IS not my purpose to examine very critically
tho principles of those parties. il may be suf-
iclent 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 poll
icy maintained by the Democrats.
noticed in some papers much is said in rela.
ton to " internal Improvements. The Demo-
Gratis say the Constitution does not confer upon
the General Government power to commence
and carry on system Of internal improvements
DO the Wings take issue on this general and
unmeaning assertion Not at all. They an
swer, " the Constitution vests in Congress power
to open and improve harbors, remove obstruc
tons in navgabe rivers &c, said improvements
being in eUery instance national and general in
their character" Now, sir, no Democrat ever
did or ever will deny this doctrine. So, too, the
Democrats make assertions about " fostering
one branch OF industry to the detrlment of an
other ! and the Wings refuse the issue thus
rendered, but, IN answer, assert doctrines which
no Democrat denies. The Democrats attempt
to galvanze into existence the obsolete idea of a
National Bank, 10 which the Wings make no
reply, admitting by their silence the Democratic
faith. Neither advances a principle which is
denied by the other they stand on the record
in perfect harmony. And no other contest exist
than strife for Office, for place and power for
the spoils the loaves and fishes.
This is the first time, for many years, that these
parties have each pnt forth an avowal of their
doctrines. In the change of times, and the Or
dinary course of events, they now find them
selves in perfect harmony with each other. The
day of their contention and disagreement has
passed away. The issues which once really
existed between them have become obsolete, or
have been given up. Their usefulness is at an
eed, and their history will soon be written. Tho
! For years, the old parties have intermngied
constantly, and no influence has been able to
| keep them separate. Here, and throughout the
country, some Wings 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 srrayed themselves according to
their party character. On every question, a
portion Of Democrats have acted with the Wings
Indeed, sir. those who have watched the proceed
jngs 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 oil
liberty important issues. One of those issues
is so extraordinary, that it demands nv first at
tentinn. The proposition is to stiae all further
examination of chattel slavery, and is expressed
by the Democrats in the following language:
Resolved, That the Democratic party will
resist all attempts at renewing, in Congress or
out of it. the agitation of the slavery question,
under whatever shape or color the attempt may
be made"
i The Wings resolved
;, "Tbat y we will dlscountenance all eff
forts TO continue or renew suchagtaton, when
ever, wherever, and however made"
We, sir, the Free Democracy, will agitate the
subject of slavery and its correlatlve freedom.
Here, sir, is an issue formed between US. l., sir,
am about to agitate this question. intend to
speak plainly of slavery, of its most revolving
features. | will endeavor to use no offensive
language, but will talk of the practice followed
by men in this District, of purchasing slave wo'
men, and then selling their own children into
bondage. Now, when do this the Democrats
are bound to resist, and the Wings to diScounte-
nance, my efforts. In order that we may start
with a perfect understanding of this conflict, l
desire to understand the manner in which the
Democrats will manifest their resistance am
; now agitating this subject, and what will YOU do
about it?
Now, hope gentlemen will not feel any par
ticuar delicacy in showing their resistance
Don't be alarmed, gentlemen; just stand up here
and now before the country show your resls-
. ance. Be not afraid, gentcmen-l ap less than
the STRIPPING of Israeli who went forth to meet
l. Goliath. You stand pledged to resist Gods truth
0 TO silence the tongues of freemen meet you
d and hurl defiance at you, and your infamous at.
tempts to stihe the freedom of speech. Ant
now, who speaks for the carrying out OF this res
olulion?
Mr. Chairman, we may call spirits from th'
i vastly Deep" but they will not come.
A repeat to the Democrats | want to know
i what you are going to do ? You are bound tt
u resist.
y Mr.. Durkee lin his seat Their tongues arr
g tied
:. Mr.. Glddings. You are friend Of liberty, ant
not authorized to speak Tor them. Laughter.
| want some one 10 answer who is authorized 4
l. speak for their party. ask respectfully OF m,
j. colleague from the Circlevlle district, what d.
!. you mean to do? How will you resist me
Mr.. Odds. | am well aware there is no tim
to reply to an interrogatory while the gentIema
y is making a speech. If he asks me how, as a.
a Ohio Democrat, will resist the agitation OF tn
a. slavery question here and elsewhere, Will an
swer him is a minute | shall resist 1t here o.
- voting against the suspension OF the RUE
ID for the introduction of the apple oil dlscor
into this House. shall resist it at home by tel
10 ling my people to stand by the compromises
tine Constitution, and rather bear the Ills W
have, than fly to others we know not Of"
C, MIR. Giddngs, Mr. Chairman, my colleagu
Ill has given an answer satisfactory. lie Will Vot
an against any suspension of the rules for introdu
a cling the apple Of discord. He Is perfectly safe
III No motion was ever made to suspend the rule
"a 4. Al, will hn Rut | undnl
he stand, thst when in Committee of the Whole, a
.d we are now, and member agtates the slav
question, he will sit quietly by and say nolhn
His resistance will be like that of my VIII
friends to slaveholding dictation he will sit st
g. :, and hear it, silently ucqwsSce, as they now
u.s. That is the very resistance Which | approve
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