Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-01-07
III is1fIla rous.
Hon. Gerrit Smiths Speech before the
House of RepreSeutaiiyeS--TueSday
Dec. 20, 1853,

After giving great credit to Capt INeRA-
HAM for his brave determination to rescue
KoszrA, he says:-
But, sir | said | could not bestow unonal-
flied praise upon our government for its part
in the Koszta affair. In one or two of those
passages Of very rare rhetorical beauty which
occur III Secretary Malcy's letter to Mr.. HUI
seman he ventures to irsinuste the despo-
tism Of Austria. Now, sir, will not say that
there was impudent hypocrisy in that insinu-
alton, but will say that the nsinuation was
in bad taste. will add tha' it was bad pol
icy. In our correspondence we should studi
ously avoid illusions to despotism. lest such
allusions might suggest to the reader compar-
lsons between our country and other coun-
lries that would be unfavorable to us. | admit
that Austria Is an oppressor; but is it not
equally and more glainyly true that Ameri-
ca is far greater and guiltier oppressor
Indeed, Austrian despoism, compared with
our despotism, which classes millions of men.
women, and children with cattle, is but as the
little finger to the loins. No, sir, it will be
nigh time Tor America to complain of Aus
tra for despollsm when we have set such an
example before Austria as will tend to shame
her out Of her despotism rather than to ius,i-
fly and confirm her in it.
In this same letter Secretary Marcy pro-
ceeds TO number, among the justi6cations OF
Captain Ingraham, the Divine law to "do un-
to others as we would have others do unto
u.s." Now, | ask you, was it not the very
acme of presumption for America to quote,
in justification of herself, that Divine command
which she surpasses all other nations in wick.
edy trampling under foot? Why. did Secre.
tsry Marcy sup o e Mr.. Hulseman to be stone
blind? Did lie suppose Mr.. Hulseman had
lived in Washington SO long and had never
yet seen the buying and selling of men, wo-
men, and children, which is going on here
continually, under the eye and the authority
of the American Government? Did he, l
ask, suppose Mr.. Hulseman to be ignorant Of
the fact that the American Government is the
great slave catcher for American slave-hold-
ers? Did he suppose him ignorant of the
fact that the great American slave trade finds
in the American Goveroment its great patron
and tlat this slave trade is carried on, not
only under the general protection, but under
the specific regulations of Congress? Did he
suppose lin b be ignorant of the fact that
many, both at the North and South, claim
that American slavery is national institution
made such, indeed. by the American Con
is. at any rate. made such by
The enaetments of Congress. the decisions of
The judiciary, and the acquiescence of the
American people.
1t Is common remark that we at the North |
have nothing to do with slavery, and that the
slave States only have 10 do with it. But as
we'll may you, when you are urging me up
nil with a heavy load upon my back and your
81 upon my back, tell me that have moth
ng To do either with the load or the lash
Tue N 'rth feels the loaJ and the lash of slay-
cry. Did Mr. Marcy suppose Mr. Hulseman
o be ignorant of the fact that this Admins
ration surpasses all its predecessors in shame
ess pledges and devotion to the slave power?
Certainly our Secretary, with all his signal
ability, fell into very great mistake at this
point ] would call il very ludicrous mis-.