The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1854-02-15
Whole lumber 1899

Irresponsible in any degree for any of those news
paper statements but it also true that the mo-
ment learned that statement attributng the ad-
dress to the Ohio delegation was likely TO appear
in the New York Times, 1 requested the CORES
pendent of that paper to telegraph the actual
names of the signers, for the very purpose of pre-
venting any misapprehension. And yet the Sena-
tor represents me as having sent this document to
the State of Ohio with this misrepresentation.
| The very reverse Of this is true. When l found
how,it appeared in the New York papers, l tele-
graphed at once to friends in Ohio not to publish
the address with any such statements. | do not
know how it has appeared there. know only
that l have sent none of these documents any
where to be published, with any other signatures
than those actually appended to them. And yet
the Senator comes here into this Chamber, ard
charges Senators with false statements, intended
for special effect in Ohio, in relation to the sigma
lures to this appeal. There is not u particle of
Foundation for the charge. Sir, do not envy him
either the spirit which prompted ii. or the position
which he occupies, having made it. -.
| Well, sir, the Senator proceeded to take ex-
ception to the character and scope of the whole
document He says that we, forsootf, have held
him up to the country in this address as guilty of
certain great and enormous crimes. Why sir,
any who reads the address will see that in
no part of it, from first to last, except in brief
note appended, is the Senator mentioned at all.
So far as | am responsible for the document
either by signature or authorship, tell the Sena-
tor he was not in all my Thoughts. He exagger-
ates his importance when he suppoees that we
had him, rather than any other mem her of the
committee. especially in view. Sir, l know the
gigantic stature of the Senator; | know the
weight and importance which he possesses in the
country; know that he has great and power
ful party surrounding him; and l know also the
great disadvantages under which L enter into any
controversy which he provokes. am in minor
ity. know that full we'll. 1t is no very pleas
ant position. But / dare do that which should
like to see the Senator also do. dare adhere to
principle, even though that adherence must carry
me into minority. ..-
1t is very true, Mr.. President that the Senator
from Massachusetts Mr.. Sumner and myself
are but two in body Of sxty-two. We know
that upon the great question which we feel our
selves bound to press upon the consideration Of
the Americon people we have not the sympathies
of this body with US. But proudly chal-
lenge scrutiny Of our action, and defy the produc-
fion of an instance in which We have been iberal
to those from whom differ When have we
stopped to inquire whether the interests to be
affected by our votes were those of the North or
the South !! When did we fail to give to any
proper measure for the benefit of any Southern
State or citizen prompt, an earnest, and cordi-
opposition TO any nomination sent here 7 Upon
what occasion did we discriminate, by sec
tional lines. between interests or men? Why.
then, we to be thus assailedl
Sir, our offence is, that we deny the national
ity of Slavery. No man can show that we have
ever sought to interfere with the Legislation of any
State of the Union upon that subject. All that
have insisted upon is, that the Territories
of this Union shall be preserved from Slavery and
that where the General Government exercises ex-
elusive jurisdiction, its legislation shall be on the
sile of liberty. It is because we defend these
positions that the Senator from Illinois attacks us
He thinks that he can take advantage of his po.
sition in the country-fhat he can take advantage
of his connection with great and powerful po
cal organization, and assal US with little hazard
I 1t is safe to attack opponents who stand, as We
I stand, without the supports he counts upon. Ay
sir, that shows courage, that shows chivalry, tina
, shows high honor, that shows lofty manhood-tt
assail the few and unsupported. 1 tell the Sena
tor from Illinois that we did not assa him. We
did not say word about him from the beginning
to the end of our appeal. He was named only ir
n the postscript, and then merely the author o.
the bill. We spoke of the bill. We spoke of its
character. We said nothing about the character
of the indi, iduals who were its authors any body
o may see that, who chooses to read the address.
In tie whole discussion of the matter in con.
h troversy, we confined ourselves in that appea
a strictly and closely to the merits of the case
And now cir, here, in this Chamber before this
audience, reaffirm every word and every syllable
I of that appeal. I make no personal imputations
II make no personal charges; do not follow the
example which has been set here to day, bu
which, in my judgment, is not is to be followed
anywhere but reafirm and rei'erate, distinctly
and emphatically, every word and every syllable
of that address. thank the Senator from Illinois
for having brought it SO prominently before the
country. 1t will now rench thousands and tens 1
thousands who would not have read it but for tht
discussion which has taken place here to-dny. ]
will be seen, read, and judged by the people, ant
. they will determine for themselves whether no
. its doctrine be sound and its facts truly stated.
/. In this appeal "we arraign this bill as gros
;. violation of sacred pledge" The Senator fror
o Illinois thinks that the pledge of the Missoul
# Compromise was nothing worth, We think
q was of vast consequence, and absolutely binding
# and, the bill proposes to abrogate it, do nc
choose soft worde, but characterize it at rs
9 deserves. We arraign it also as "a criminal be
it trayal of precious rights Wel what rights arr
n precious, if those secured to free labor ana ife'
= luborers in that vast Territory are not! Wha
can be criminal. if it be not criminal to subver
: these rights for the purpose of giving room to
uhsp the bill proposes to reach this bat