The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-07-27
sucech of Hon. Thomas H. Ford.

Speech OF hon. inonas d. foiu
We present to our readers to day tn
speech Of Mr.. Ford, delivered at Philade
phia during the session Of the late COnver
ton in that city. However much we ma
differ on the principles that brought tho
body together, all who have any love Q
manly, true spoken independence, and de
sire that the North should again resume tn
position she first occupied, but has sine
lost by her efforts to conciliate the South
will feel an inward thrill Of pride whei
they think that that occasion furnished tn
strong men of the North to meet the slave
ry dictators in national Convention, and fo
the first time in the political history Of thi
country. openly and fearlcssly discuss th'
forbidden question. The position taken b.
leading men in that body entirely changet
the order of business, usually pursued il
similar bodies. The South at last fount
themselves compelled 10 assume the position
of conciiators, and discuss terms, insteat
of debating them. Although they did no
see fit to grant what the friends Of freedom
asked, still our Northern men presented
their case and maniully stood up for princi
pie, even to the refusal to participate in tht
proceedings, and came home to their con
stitucnts to receive the approval in condcm
nation Of that course, 1t must also be {
matter of satisfaction to oil true friends O
freedom, that in all cases, as yet, q majority
influenced by that sentiment have sustained
their course and have decided to meet tht
issue on the ground there presented. Mr.
Ford is from Ohio, and, judging from thi'
effort, is one among her many strong men
We commend careful pcrusal Of the
speech.-Bath Tribune.
Renewal Of the Missouri Prahicitlon.
Speech of Hon. Thomas H. Ford,
of Ohio, delivered June 13, 1855, at the As-
sembiy buildings, Philadelphia.
IRepoded for the Sandusky Regiser.l
Mr.. President IL feel much embarrassed
when I reflect that / rise TO represent ,ht
views OF the mighty West on this vexed
question of Slavery now under discussion
| would to God that somc gentleman moro
competent TO the task had undertaken it,
Gentlemen from other States have shown a
strong disposition to discuss party politics
in this debate. With the dirty details O
party politics we have nothing 10 do in Ohio
Our principles are patriotic and pure, OIL
purposes high and holy. Tho gentlemen
who preceded me have all mistaken the pol
icy of the founders Of tho Republic. They
never intended to tolerate Slavery or even &c
bo responsible for its existence. With the
trainers of the constitution, freedom was the
rule, Slavery the exception Freedom ma
tional, Slavery sectional. But those patri'
otc gentlemen from tho South are dcsirou,
Of changing the rule so rs to make Slavery
national and Freedom sectional (; to ex
tend over territory now free, the soul
withering, God-dishonoring curse of human
Slavery. We, on the other hand, are dcsi
rous of sustaining the policy ofour ioreiather'
"A Bible-based, law.loyins, libcrty.buil
policy. And hero we take issue. The hon
orablo gentleman from North, Carolina poin'
ting to me, tauntingly says you of th'
North refused to extend the Missouri Com
promise line to the Pacific when no offered
It to you.' To this l reply, we did so refuse
and for this reason: We are desirous Of ex
tonding the area Of Freedom, instead Of the
curse of human bondage. The honorable
gentlemen from Tennessee and Alabama
have said tha, we, at the North, were gen
orally opposed to tho establishment Of tha,
Missouri Compromise line at the time til,
compact was entered into in 1920. 'Or
what prctcxt can you base your opposition
10 its repcalp Iu answer to tho gentleman
| say that the people Of tho North trerc op-
posed to the establishment at that time, and
for this obvious reason: 1t was q base sur,
render of territory to Slavery that had beer
by the God of Nature and our laws conse
Grated to Freedom. Tha, this moment, in.
stead Of tho voice Of Freedom ascending t
Heaven in ardent prayers for the parpetuity
of this Union thousands Of human beings
were clanking the chains Of abject Slavery
there. Those men who were in Congress:
from the North and voted for this Comprom
iso, lie forgotten somewherc-thcir memo
rics have perishcd with them. So have We
sent those who yoied for its repeal to thei
political graves 10 bc remembered no more
by us, excep, in the lons-living annals Of in
fanny. Tho gentlman over tho way asks mt
to reconcile that position. will Sir. Th'
territory Of the South acquired by virtue o
tha, contract is already niggered-yes, mig
gered all over. Tho crack Of the drivers
ash (to the disgrace Of humanity bc it said
is this day heard on its every acre. Th'
voice OF Freedom is not heard there, bu
Slavery dark and damning, curses that 9th
erwisc beautiful country, having territor.
sulfcien. 10 make an empire Of frcemen.-
Tha, is the reason VIC opposed its repeal ant
now ask for its restoration. We cannot re
call Slavery there now--tis too late! ]
VIC could place that territory in tho sam
situation it was in 1870, there would be n
trouble from our State about tho repeal Q
tho Missouri restriction. No: wc would
like men enter tho arena and fight man
fully the battles of Freedom. Yes, Sir W
would SEQ that Freedom, our inheritance
was not turned to strangers and our home
to aliens, and Liberty leit dcsolotc in th
land Of our forcfathers. But the dark an