Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-05-13
EXTRACT FROM MR.. SMITHS SPEECH.

EXTRACT FROM MR. SMITHS SPEECH.
Gerrit Smith made speech few weeks since
on the Nebraska question: in which he went in de-
tail into the argument, to prove that there b.
no legal slayery-that there is no slavery in tho
Constitution. The following is part of his intro
duction to this speech:
proceed TO say that am opposed to this Lii,
in the fourth place, because it looks to the exist
ence Of slavery in these territories and provides
safeguards for it. In other words, Congress does,
by the terms of tho bill, open the door for slavery.
to enter these territories. The right Of Congress
to do so deny. ! deny it, however, not because
the compromise OF 1890 denies II. Believing that
compromise to be invalid, cannot honestly claim
any thing under it. disclaim all rights under IL.
for the simple reason, that compromise conceived
in sin and brought forth in iniquity, impart NO
rghts--for the simple reason, that n compromise,
which annihates rights, cannot create rights
admit that the compromise of 1920 comedies the
ndestructibleness of manhood north Of the lihs of
3Go 30|, excepting in Missouri But on the other
hand, II atones for this concession 10 truth and JUS
tice by implicitly leaving men south of that line,
and in Missouri, to be classcd with brutes and
things. / admit, too, that they, who enjoying
the share of slavery under this cOmptcmiss, and
who, now, that freedom was about to enter into the
enjoyment Of her share under i'll admit, l say,
that they are cstoppcd from joining me in pronounce
ing the Missouri compromise invalid. They must
first surrender their share under the Compromise
they must first make restitution to Freedom-ere
they can, with clean hands and uhblushing faces,
ask her to forego the enjoyment Of her share.
But this condition is impracticabcl ~ will some Of
my hearers say. Oh, no! nothing is impracticablo
that is right. Exclude slavery from Missouri and
Arkansas for thirty-four years and then freedom
and slavery will be on an equal footing, and they
can make new bargain. Laughter.J
Nor do l deny the right of Congress to open tbs
door FOR slavery into these territories because the
compromise of 1850 virtually denies it. / say
that compromise virtually denies it, because it dis
tnetly and approvingly recognizes the compromise
of 1920. The compromise of 1860 is rs rotten rs
the compromise of 1920; and as incapable Of im-
parting rights. And here let me say, that rejoice
to see the pro-slavery party pouring express con-
tempt on the compromise of 1870, and virtual con-
tempt on the compromise OF 1850. And why
should not all men pour contempt upon these COM
promises and upon all other compromises, which
aim "to split the difference" between God and
the devil? Great laughter. By the way, We
have striking proof, in the instance Of this bill,
that in the case Of such COMPROMISES Gods share
and all are in the end, very like to be claimed for
the devil Renewed laughter. -.
have said on what grounds 1t is not, that I
deny the right OF Congress to open the door for
slavery into these territories. will now say on
what ground it is DENY it on the ground thai
the Constitution, the only law of the territories is
not in favor Of slavery, and that slavery cannot
be set up under it. Ii there can be lawful slavery
in the States, nevertheless there cannot be in tho
territories.
In the fifth and last place, am opposed to the
bill, because 1t allows, that there may be slavery
in the States, which shall be formed from these
territories.
Hitherto, when the slavery question has been
brought up in Congress, it has been alleged, II
say not how truly or untruly,) that the anti-sla-
very party has brought it up, and for the purpose
Of checking slavery. But, now, it IL, eonfessedly
Inn oil mn lv tha slava
and for the purpose Of extending slavery. In this
instance the proslavery party is, manifestly, tho
instrument, which truth has welded to subserye
her purpose of re-awakening the public mind to
1 the demands and enormities Of slavery. Most
sincerely do rejoice, that the proslayery party is
responsible for the present agitation.
MEMBER. do not admit, that il is.
Mr.. SMITH. Strange. Here is movement
for the immense extension Of slavery. or course.
| il is not tho work of the anti-slayery party. And
if the honorable member, who has just interrupt
ed me, is authorized 10 speak for the pro-slavery
party, il is not the work of that party either. /
took It for granted, that the prO-sGyery party did
it. But it seems it did not. II puts on the inno-
cent air Of Macbeth, and looks me in tic tace.
and exclaims "ThOu canst not say / did itpb
Laughter Well if neither the anti-slayery party,
nor the Pro'slayery party, did it, who was il, then.
that did it? Ii follows, necessarily that il must
be the work of the Lord, or the devil. Laughtsrl
But it cannot be the work of the Lord--for tho
BOOu DOOk tclls W hcIe lnc hplflt OF lllc LOr0
is, there is liberty"-liberty, not slavery So. this
Nebraska business must do the work OF the devil.
lGreat laughter. But logical as is this conclusion,
| am, nevertheless too polite to press il. prefer
to repudiate the alternative, that puts tho respon;
sibiliy on the Lord or the devil and to return to
my original assertion, that the pro-slayery parly,
and not the ant-slayery party is responsible ki
the present agitation. Do not understand that
would not have the antislayery party agitate for
ever Ibelieve, that the agitation Of the elements
of the neral world is essential to moral health,
is the agitation Of tho physical world to physical
health. | believe in the beautiful motto: "The
agitation Of thought is the beginning of truth"
was very happy to hear the honorable gentleman
Of Pennsy ylvania, (Mr. wRIoHr,l express his faith
and pleasure in agitation. Not less happy was
to hear the honorable gentleman Of North Caro-
lima. Mr.. ClINGMAS,l approve Of the discussion
Of Slavery. Such good abolition doctrine from
such surprizing sources WAS very grateful 10 me.
Perhaps, these gentlemen will continue to moys
forward In that blessed upward way, on which
they have happily entered; and perhaps, ere the
session shall close, they viii have reached that
isble-land Of abolition, on whichi is my privilege