Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-03-17
CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE.

sIAvERY-Kx -KxowxoTnINGIsM-Tu ELECTION, &c.
Mr. Letcher desired to know the opinions of the
North on several topics. The repeal of the fugi-
tive slave law--the restoration of the Missouri res
riction-the exclusion of slavery from the Terrific
ries--the abolition Of slavery in the District of
Columbia.
TO all these inquiries Mr.. Goodwin of New York
at first replied anu subsequently Mr.. Giddings, as
follows.
| Mr.. GIDDINGS. will express to the commit
tee my qualification at having the privilege Of ex
changing sentiments with the able gentleman from
Virginia, Mr.. Letcher who represents differ
ent section of the country from that which | rep
resent. ! am pleased to say that the gentleman
from Nirg ginia and myself can talk over this mat
ter like men, as become tesmen, without undue
excitement | am willing-=having held seat here
for some time, and expecting to continue here for
some two years morc-to say to this House and the
country what | understand to be the northern SEN
timent prevailing in the free States, so far as /
understand ii, and | wish to do it in dispassion
ate thahner that all shall explicitly comprehend
my views. | do understand that, in the cuhven-
tion which framed the Constitution, it was under
stood, most distinctly and expcitely, that slavery
was a State institution confined to State jurisdic-
ton, with which the Federal Government neither
had nor should have any power to Interfere.
Mr. LETCHER. want the gentleman to come
to the present issue. ! want to know what We
may expect now not what his occurred heretofore
Mr.. Giddings. | will do so. Mr. Gerry declar-
ed in that Convention that slavery was Sid'e fasi
tuition; that while the Federal Government had NJ
Jurisdiction over it we should be careful TO lend il
no sanction. To this that body lent an implied
! approval, no member dissenting from it, but all
apparently coinciding with the view Of Mr.. Gerry
Now, sir, say I'd the gentleman from Virginia
and to the House. that the frcemen of tho free
States intend to carry out In practice this doc
trne of the Constitution and of the fathers OF oul
) Republic. We intend TO separate this Governmen
and the people of the free States from all respon
} sibty and all guilt of sustaining oppression, o
upholding slavery, and direct its action to the en-
couragement of liberty, virtue, and the elevation
of our race. Our people intend to be purified from
the crimes and iniquities Of slavery and the slav
trader While we leave the institution with tn
slave States Untouched by our legislation; Will
8 we guard all the States in the enjoyment df thei
privileges, will protect our own rights wit
equal asSiduity.
c Now, sir in order to do this-fur / only rose t
t state to my friend what | understand to be tn
issues involved in the present conflict as to SLAYER
in the District of Columbia, to which the gentle
man last alluded will first reply, that we wi
J secure to the people here "p0pUldr sovereignty.
l. We will repeal all the laws which we have enacted
c which now sustains slavery and the slave trad
IS here and leave the people of this District to mail
It tain their popular sorereigmy" OF which "
IS heard SO much from my friend and his party at tn
Y last session Of Congress-. | mean all the peop'
e black and white, permitting each 10 be sovereig
J. Of his own conduct so long as he interferes wit
., the rights of no other person. That we will no
d by the laws Of Congress- riyct the chains nor pl
% handouts upon cur fellowmcn here that we wi