The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1855-07-24
A GREAT SPEECH.
Delivered at Philadelphia, by T. H, Ford, Of Ohio

Northern Flunkies-" Sewardism" Defined.
(The following is correct report of the
Speech which Capt. FORD. Of Ohio. delivered
in the Philadelphia Know Nothing Convention,
1t is one of the most truthful, comprehensive
and bluntly eloquent Speeches we have ever
ready
Mr.. PRESIDENT: feel much embarrassment
when reflect that | arise to represent the
views of the mighty West on this vexed ques-
ton ofSlavery, now under disussion. would
to God that some gentleman more competent
TO tho task had undertaken it, Gentlemen
from other States havo shown a strong dispo-
sition 10 discuss party politics we have nothing
TO do, in Ohio. Our principles are patriotic
and pure, our purposes high and holy. %
The gentlemen who preceded me have all
mistaken the policy of tho founders of the Re,
public. They never intended to tolerate Slave
lry e1even 10 be responsible for its existence.
With the trainers ofthe Constitution, Freedom
was the rule, Slavery the exception; Freedom
national, Slavery sectional. But those pat
riotic gentlemen from the South are desirous
of changing the rule, so as to make Slavery
national and Freedom sectional TO extend over
territory now freo the soul-wihering, God dis
honoring curse of Human Slavery. - u,
We, on the other hand, are desirous of sus-
taining the policy Of our forefathers---a Bible
based, law-loving, liberty built policy. And
here we take issue. The honorable gentlemen
from North Carolina, pointing to mo, tannting-
ly says: "You of the North refused 10 extend
the Missouri Compromise line TO the Pacific,
when we offered it to you To this reply,
we did so refuse; and for this reason: NE are
desiroas Of extending The area Of Freedom in
stead Of The curse Of human bondage.
The honorable gentlemen from Tennessee
and Alabama have said that We at tho North,
were generally opposed to the establishment
Of that Missouri Compromise line at the time
the compact was entered into, in 1920. "On
what 2retext can you base your opposition to
its repeal!' In answer to the gentlemen, say
that the people Of the North ,cere opposed to
the establishment at that timo, and for this
obvious reason. 1t was a base surrender o!
territory to Slavery that had been by tho God
of Nature and our laws consecrated to Free
dom. That at this moment, instead of the
voice of freemen ascending TO heaven in ardent
prayers for the perpetuity of this Union, ,hous-
ands ofhuman beings were clanking the chains
Of object slavery there. Those men who were
in Congress from the North and voted for this
compromise, lie forgotten somewhere--their
memories have perished with them. So hare
ace sent those icho cotcd for It's repeal 10 their
political grdres 10 be remembered no more bg
us except in The long living annals Of In
fanny.
The gentleman over tho way asks me to re-
concile that position. l will, sir. The terri.
tory the South acquired by virtue of that CON
tract is already niggered, yes niggered all over.
Tho crack Of tho drivers lash 60 the disgrace
OF humanity be it sad) is this Day heard ON its
heard there, but Slavery, dark and damning,
curses that otherwise beautiful country, hav-
iug territory sufficient TO make an empire of
iretmen. That is The reason ice oppose iis re-
peal and ao1c ask for It's restoration. We
cannot recall Slavery there now,--'tis to1
late! If we could place that territory in the
Same situation it was in 1920, thero would be
no trouble from our State about the repeal OF
| the Missouri restriction. No: we would, like
men. enter the arena and fight manfully the
battles of Freedom. Yes, sir; we would sec
that Freedom, our inheritance. was not turned
to strangers and our homes to alies and Uber-
ty left desolato in the land of our forefathers.
Bot the dark and damning deed is done:
ond, regarding the rights of the States under
the Constitution, We cannot change il now.
| Aud now, after our submission for thirty
four years 10 that iDiquity, you como forward
and indiet this outrage upon us. You say "It
is true, north of that line was sot apart by
solemn compact TO Freedom; but tho contract
was unconstitutional, and consequently nul!
| and void" c- Eh hgEt
! care not from what point you Wow it; you
| have taken under that contract and of course
arc bound by It. You now come to US whIn.
| ingly and say, "Ths contract is void, dc
not attempt 10 enforce it," Suppose you give
| your note to q friend for one hundred dollars,
borrowed on the Sabbath; and afterwards Ia
avoid the payment, set up for defence that the
note was given on Sunday and consequently
void and you would not pay it. In what light
do you suppose all honorable men would view
| youl In no other light than as cJnsunnatt
YHtains, unworthy Me confidence Of all honor.
able men.
| In this light Ohio and the tecmng millions
of the mighty West, whom feebly represent
hero, view you, Gentlemen, in relation to this
Kansas Nebraska iniquity! l appeal to Repre-.
sentatiyes from the South in tho name of al
that was honorable, lin the name Of God, to bC
this once Influenced by the pure promptngs o
right and justice and restore this compromise
line, or from this day hide your doformeC
heads and mako your appearance no moro
among intelligent beings
But i am resolved 10 place tho gentlemen-
those ehivalrous Southern gentlemon-righl
on the record. Many of them do say that the
repeal of that time honored line (to use thoi
|
outrage. and that it ought 10 be restored.
say many ofyou have said to me: and inasmucl
as every gentleman from tho North has beer
challenged to give tho name ofany Southern
man who has dared even to breathe one wore
in favor of Freedom therefore, to avoid being
nsked so to do. como MP now to the confess
1ional, orI shall wilhoutnhesitaton name tn,
gentlemen to this convention. (Cheors ant
laughter.)
! [At length Hon. KENNETH RAYNER, of Nortl
Carolina, aroso and stated that he considered
the repea' ofthe Missouri Compromise wrong
and an outrage, TO which the north ought no
to submit. lIo said if he had been mcmbe
of Congress 10 would have had his righ, hant
severed from his body before he would hav,
consented to the iniquity.
Gov. BRowN, of Tenneseo said ho had sta
ted that II was wrong and unjps, to repeal tha
act; but inasmuch as il was passed, he wu
opposed to agitation on the subject by reinsta
j ting IL.
Four or five more, at this point, took tn
floor at once, FORD remarking pleasantly
4 .'Koep cool, gonleman wo are going TO hay,
an interesting class meeting hero; but com
up to the confessional, one at a timer QLau
- l..