Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-07-12
Speech of Thomas III. Ford,
OF Ohio, delivered June Ism, ut the Assembly
Buildings: Phlade %iia

Buildings; PhIlade %lia. -
Mr., President-l feel much embarrassed
when reflect ;hat | arise to represent the
views Of the mighty West on this vexed
question of Slavery, now under dscusson.-
would to God that some gentleman more
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 Of
party politics we have. nothing to DO, in Ohio
Our principles are patriotic and pure, our
purposes high ard holy
! the gentlemen who have preceded me have
all mistaken the policy of the founders OF
! the Republic. They never intended to tol-
crate Slavery, or even to be sesponsible for
its existence. With the trainers OF the Con-
sttuton, Freedom was the fule, Slavery the
exception; Freedom, national; Slavery, sec.
tional. Bnt those patfiotir yantIonaon- G-eas
J the South are desirous of changing the rule,
SO as 10 make Slavery national and Freedom
sectional; to extend over territory now free,
the sou-withering, God.dshonoring curse
Of human slavery.
! We, on the other hand, are desirous of
/ sustaining the policy Of cur forefathers-a
Bibe-based, law-loving, liberty-bult policy
And here we take issue. The Hon. gentle
man from North Carolina, pointing to me,
tauntingly says: "You of the North refused
to extend the Missouri Compromise line to
the Pacific, when we offered it to you" To
this reply, we did so refuse, and Tor this
reason: we are desirous of extending the
area of Freedom, instead of the curse of hu.
man bondage.
The honorable gentleman from Tennessee
and Alabama have said that we, at the North,
were generally opposed 10 the establishment
of that Missouri Compromise line at the time
the compact was entered into, in 1920. "On
what pretext can you base your opposition to
its repeal!" In answer 10 the gentleman,
say that the people Of the North ,rere opposed
TO the establishment at that time, and for
this obvious reason: ii was base surrender
of territory TO Slavery that had been by the
God Of Nature and cur laws consecrated to
Freedom. That at this moment. instead OF
this voice of Freedom ascending to Heaven
in arden. prayers for The perpetuity of this
Union, thousands OF human beings we're
! clanking the chains Of abject Slavery there
Those men who were in Congress from the
North and voted .or this compromise, lie for.
gotten some where-their memories having
pclshed with them. So have we sent those
who voted for its repeal to their politica
grave, 10 be remembered 10 more by US, ex
cept in the longlving annals OF infamy.
The gentleman over the way asks me t.
reconcile that position. will, Sir. Tht
} territory the South acquired by virtue of tha
} contract is already niggered yes, niggered al
over. The crack of the drivers lash Ito the
disgrace of humanity be it sad) is this da,
: heard on its every acre. The voice Of Free
, dom is not heard there, but Slavery, dark AM
damning, curses that otherwise beau,ifu
) country, having territory sufficient 10 max
} an empire Of ireemeu. That is the reason
) we opposed its repeal and now ask for il
; restoration. We cannot recall Slavery Their
now-'tis too late! If we could place tha
, territory in the same situation it was in lS2t
there would be no trouble from our State a
bout the repeal Of the Missouri restriction
No: we would, like men, enter the arena an
fight nanfUly the battles of fIeedom. Ye
Sir! we would see that Freedom, our inheri
, tancc, was not turned to strangers and on
homes to aliens, and Liberty left desolate il
the land Of our forefathers.
r But the dark and damning deed. is done
and regarding the rights of the State unde
: the Constitution, we cannot change It nov
Ane now, after our submission for thirty
four years to that inquiry, you coAe forwar
and inflict this renewed outrage upon u.s.
you say, at Is true. north of that line wa
J. set apart by solemn compact to Freedom; bl
n the contract was unconstitutional, and col
sequently null and void"
~ | care not from what point you view it; "
n have taken under that contract and OF cour
re are bound by it, You now come TO US viii