Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-12-30
Cuban Annexation THE Slave
Question.
SPEECH OF
HON. j. R. GlIDDINGS
OF OHIO,
In THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
December IAN. 1852.

Mr.. CHAIRMAN:-I have risen with no inten-
ion to participate in this discussion OF the tariff
abstain from it for the reason that II has been
discussed for more than thirty years, by the
abIest men in the nation, and no new theory or
thoughts are likely to be elected at this time.
abstain from ii Tor the reason that there is now
no party which aVows the protective policy.
also abstain from its discussion for the reason
that the abest advocates of protection have, since
the late Presidential election, declared that poll
cy TO be dedd-lhat it now sleeps auth ats great
ADVOCATE, Henry Clay 80.
Why, sir, during the recent campaign, wing
missionary, formerly member OF this body, was
sent from New York City to Ohio, to inform us
that unless the tariff was increased, the country
would be ruined and here, sir, or the second
day of the session, his Wing successor, elected
with the aid OF his veto and influence, moved Il
resolution to reduce the tariff Nov, 1t Is quite
evident that whether it be increased or diminish
ed, the Wings OF New York are to ENJOY the
victory, for they are on both sides Of the question
But think there is an intention on The part OF
the majority of the House to do neither, and
thereby dsappont both factions OF the New
York Wings. Laughter]
lis discussion at this time is unreasonable ana
out of place. The short session will not afford
sufficient opportunity to mature REIMBURSEMENT
Of the Cutles on imports; and sir, we are all
conscious that the responsibility rests upon the
majority Of this body, who are evidently dIsln-
clined to enter upon It at present. Our country
was never more prosperous; aud never dld the
RfsqP az eH s len desRafi ct 3ts very eey
apparent during the late political campaign. If
our most popular speakers attempted TO discuss
this subject their meeting would "grow small
by degrees, and beautifully less" So, too, du
ring the three days this body has been occupied
by it, Members would not listen to the eloquent
speeches presented by their colleagues and
most of that time our Hall has been nearly de-
serted.
The discussion has become " fat, stale and
unavoidable" And whatever my feelings may
be, cannot disguise the fact, that the popular
tendency in England, throughout Europe, and IN
this country, is towards free trade. Experience
Is the only test which can be applied to these
theoies. The truth of this remark is exempt
fed in the operation Of the present tariff. AT
the time of its adoption we were told that 1t
would not produce revenue sufficient to carry on
the government. Yet although our expenditures
were nearly doubled by the Mexican war; we
have now more revenue than sufficient to NEE
all demands upon our Treasury. These facts
should teach us to be less tenacious of our tho
rcs. ind more willing to be guided by our expe
rence.
We are all conscious that but one great int
rest IN these United States is now protected by a
prohibltorv tariff; that is, the slave breeding in
teres of Virginia and the other northern Slave
States. We protect the slave grower by visiting
Il. G Al a.
slaves to the injury OF our own citizens who rear
boys aud girls for the market These facts stand
prominent upon the history of our times. We
have secured to the slave dealers of this nation
a monopoly OF the crime Of buying and selling
human flesh.
Now, sir. with all kindness, will say to
those advocates for protection to northern labor
that, while they make merchandise of the south.
ern laborer, Of his wife and children, it will be
IN vain for them to profess humane sympathy for
the free aud independent lsborers of the North
While you profess an anxious sOlIcitude for the
pecunlary interest OF the laborer in the cotton
mil, and at the same time make mel chsndlse If
the bones and sinews, the blood and muscle, Of
him who Cultlvates the raw material, the people
will pronounce you hypocrites.
this morning read in one of our papers an
account of a slave mother, having four children
whom she tendery loved. Her soul yearned for
their happiness. But her master contracted TO
deliver them to slave dealer. She vany ia
syS hin 4 s e v h 5sFRSg aoo tie 6 BE
torn from her embrace, she felt unable 10 meet
such separation, and in order to save her loved
ones from the suffering and degradation to which
your laws consigned thgm she merciiully de
prlved them Of life. a few days afterwards,
she was herself consigned to the gallows for
this manifestation OF her affection; and the
whole family OF live persons was placed beyond
the further cruelty OF your laws.
Now, sir, while we coHtinue in force laws
which intict such suffering upon one potion of
our fellow nortals, and at the same time profess
an anxiety for the pecunary interest Of another
portion, will not all candid men charge US with
hypocrisy and falsehood ?
Mr.. JOHNSON, oil Tennessee. If understand
the gentleman fr'm Ohio, he Is in favor of re.
moving the protection to slave labor by repeating
the Inv prohibits the importation of slaves
Mr.. GIDDINGs. The gentleman is mistaken :
ii was the protection of the slave g,Ower to
which referred, II is the law of Congress
which authorizes the domestic slave trade that
| condemn. That traffic is tai more babarous
than the foreign slave trade which we very
properly characterize as pirdcy. and punish with
death Dealing in human flesh is in u neral
point OF view, naked, undsguised piracy it is
so regarded by all rejecting men; and those
who traffic in human flesh, either here, in Afrl-
ca, or elsewhere aud all who advise, aid, coun.
sci or encourage such traffic, are guilty, and de
serve death upon the galIows, The manner in
which we aid and encourage this,crinle is i'm
material. If we lend that encouragement by
passing laws 10 protect the slave dealer, or by
lending our influence to retain such laws 10
force, We are as guilty as he who actually buys
and sells The victims of tins traffic, and we, sir.
deserve death as much as he does. would not
hang the Ignorant sailor who goes to Africa and
purchases men and women there, and spare the
member Of Congress who eXerts his influence to
continue the same crimes here. Had the
power % punish these crimes, | would intlct
the same penalty upon every man who deals n
human flesh. or who authorizes or ENCOURAGES
such traffic.
observed that the honorable gentleman from
Pennsylvania Me- JONES t,ok OCCASION while
discussing the tariff, to say that the Democracy
of his State were in favor Of the fugitive law :
but 1t is somewhat remarkable that the Presi
dent, in his message, makes no mention of that
law 1t Is said that during the last three months
more tugtives have found their way 10 Canada
than ever previously emgraled to that province
IN the same space Of time. They went singIy,
IN pairs, in companies OF five, of ten, and some
times twenty travelled together Scarcely
slave catcher inlerposed to prevent this tide of
emigration; and those who made attempts to
stop them were unsuccessful. The emlgmnts
were armed and ready for the combat They
laughed at your fugitive law, and ridcued those
who enacted and who advocate its continuance.
AS the Presidents abou! TO retire from object
he witnesses the contempt Into which this, his
avorte measure, has fallen; yet he fais in his
last annual message to notice these facts, nor
does he make even an eff1rt to modify the pop
ular odium which has pronounced those conprO.
mise measures infamous He sees the country
rapidly separating into two parties; the sup
porers Of slavery aad the advocates of liberty
He must be CONSCIOUS that these parties will