Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-05-06
GERRIT SMITHS REASONS FOR 0PPo.
SING THE NEBRASKA BILL.

Tho National Era gives the following compend
of Mr. Smiths recent speech in Congress. on the
Nebraska question:
Mr.. SMITH, said the slavery question was up
again in Congress. 1t will not keep down. The
President had tried to keep it down. members Of
Congress had humbled themselves to aid him.
But all was Of no avail. 1t will rise.
This is not strange if we consider The power of
truth. The grass will grow, tic water run, and il
is needless Tor men 10 attempt to control the NOR.
ais Of the world. Canute was wise compared with
those who attempt this.
Truth is hepOwer-that brings up the question.
1t lives and reigns forever. Every question in the
eye of truth is unsettled, and must be agitatcd.
| Slavery will be m unsettled question until ban
ished by truth. Slavery is the hugcst lie on earth
! 1t makes chattcls OF men. In chatolizing man. il
denies that man is man, and that God is God.
! But he was opposed to the Nebraska bill be-
cause it proscibes the cOlOred man-because it OK
cudes or proscribes the immigrant; thirdly, be-
cause it contains the deceptive idel of nonnter-
vention. The bill does not recognize this. 1t
Il gives u Government, it limits the power of the
people, and reserves to Congress the power Of re-
yising the acts Of the people.
| But il it did embrace tae principle Of non-inter-
yentOn, he would OppO,e it Tor that reason. The
territory belongs to the whole people, and their in
reference with it through Congress is as necessary
as that State shall govern each county.
Utah and New Mexico will not be exempt from,
slavery because Of any laws of Mexico and it is
equally absurd to say that slavery existed in
Louisiana. Would the suttee and canibalism
have been perpotuatcd in our territories, because
of any laws sanctioning them before their coming
into our possession. r--
! 1t is wrong to charge those who oppose the Ne
Ibmska bill, with denying the rights Of seli-govem
ment to the people of the territories. The limited
number who are TO be there in the beginning
should not bind the whole people who are to sue
coed them.
But he was opposed to the bill because it would
permit slavery in the territory lie did not dc
nounce il because Of the Missouri Compromise
for he never approved of that compromise. 1t wa
, an iniquitous commpromisc. affirmed that meI
were men in one region, and without lhe attri
butes of men elsewhere. lie n like manner dc
denounced the Compromise Of 1850, lie rejoiced
that the slave power had poured contempt upur
9 them. They were, SO to speak, compromises be-
tween God and the Devil!
{ In the fifth and last place, he opposed to the
s bill because it admits that slave States may b.
formed out of territories. Tho anti-slayery part.
were heretofore accused Of having brought up tlI
+ strife. Now. it is admitted that the pro-slaver
party has done it,
o A VOICE. do not.
. Mr.. SMITH--Irdecd 1t is a proposition I
o extend slavery. Have tic foes Of slavery done it
!, lie was gratifed when Mr.. Wright, Of Pa, an
G Mr.. Clingham, expressed themselves in iay0r q
agitation. lIerejoiced at the prospect of continr
: cd agitation.
i Tho subject would now he discussed, md tn
!, title Of slavery would now be tested The orisT
Q nal number of States was but thirteen. Thor
r arc now fifteen slave States. It's time the aggre