The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-07-26
Speech Of Mr. Thomas H, Ford, of
Ohio.
Delivered June 1871, 1855, atthe Assem-
bly, Buildings, philadelphia.

rassed when | reflect that ! arise 10 rep.
resent the views Of the mighty West Oil
this vexed question Of Slavery, now un.
der discussion. | would TO God that
some gentleman more competent 10 the
task had undertaken it. Gentlemen from
other States have shown astrong diSpo.
stion 10 discuss party politics in this de.
bate. With the dirty details Of 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 the founders
Of the Republic. They never intended
10 tolerate Slavery, or even TO be re-
sponsble for its existence. With the
trainers Of the constitution, Freedom was
the rule, Slavery the exception; Freedom
national; Slavery, sectional. But those
patriotic gentlemen from the South are
desirous of changing the rule, SO as to
make Slavery national and Freedom sec
tional: TO extend over territory now free,
the withering, God-dishonoring
curse ofhuman slavery.
We on The other hand, are desirous Of
sustaining the policy OF our forelathers
"a Bible based law loving, liberty built
policy. And here we take issue. The
Hon. Gentleman from North Carolina,
pointing to me, tauntingly says: "You
OF the North refused to extend the Mis-.
souri, Compromise line TO the Pacific
when we offered it 10 you" To this |
reply, we did so refuse and for this rea'
son: we are desirous Of extending the
area OF Freedom, instead ofthe curse Of
human bondage.
The honorable gentlemen from Ten
nessee and Alabama have said that we al
The North, were generally opposed to
the establishment of that Missouri Com
promise line at the time the compact was
entered into, in 1890. "On what pre-.
text can you base your opposition to its
repeal" In answer 10 the gentlemen, |
say that the people Of the North Cere op,
posed 10 the establishment at that time,
and for this obvious reason: it was base
surrender of territory to Slavery that
had been, by the God of Nature and
our laws, Consecsated 10 Freedom
,EMat at this moment, instead OF the voice
of Freedom ascending 10 Heaven in ar
dent prayers for the perpeluty of this
Union, thousands oil human beings were
clanking the chains of abject Slavery
there. Those men who werein Congress
Gom the North aud voted for this Com.
promise, lie forgotten somewhere-their
memories have persisted with them. So
have we sent those who voted for its re-
peal to their political graves, to be re-
membered no more by Us, except in the
Iong-lived annals Of intamy.
The gentleman over the way asks mt
TO reconcile that position. | will, sir
The territory the South acquired by vlr
Tue of that contract is already niggered-
yes, fingered all over. The crack o
| the drivers lash { to The disgrace ol hu
manity be it said J is this day heard oil
= lis every acre. The voice Of Freedom
is not heard there, but Slavery, dark AM
damning, curses that otherwise beauIiiu
I country, having territory sufficient 1
; make an empire offreemen. That tn
reason we opposed its repeal and nov
n ask for its restoration. We cannot re
: call Slavery there now-'tis loo late! =
> II we could place that territory in tn
n same situation it was in 1920, there woul
I be no more trouble from our State abou
= the repeal of the Missouri restriction
No! we would, like men, enter the aren
and fight manlully the battles OF Free
!. dom. Yes sir, we would see that Free
d dom, our inheritance, was not turned
?, strangers and our homes to aliens, an
IS Liberty left destitute in the land of OIL
a forefathers.
- But the dark and damnng deed
y done; and regarding the rights OF III
J. States under the Constitution, we cannt
d change it now. ,.
J. And now after our submission for thl
e ty.tour years TO that iniquty, you com
forward and inflict this renewed outrag
l. upon US. You say. at is true, north
that line was set apart by solemn com
h pact to Freedom; but the contract wa
y unconstitutional, and consequently nu
and void"
h Icare not from what point you view
you have taken it under that contract an
are, OF course bound by it. You mo-
T. come to US whiningly and say, 18th
Y contract is void, do not attempt TO ell
y Iorce it," Suppose you give your no
to a friend for one hundred dollars bo
rowed on the Sabbath, and aflerward
to avoid the payment, set up for deien'
le that the note was given on Sunday ar
" consequently void, and you would n
pay it. In what light do you suPpo'
'r all honorable men would view itl In
y other light than as consumate williams u
T. worthy the confidence of all honorab
Or men. In this light Ohio and the teer
m ing millions of the mighty West, who
y | ieebly represent here, view you. genll
men, in relation 10 this Kansas. Nebra
Sc ka iniquity! appeal to Represent
Id tyes from the South in the name oil
that is honorable, in the name OF Go
to be this once Influenced by the Pu
ne pr omptings of right and justice, and r
he store this Compromise line, or from tn
or day hide your deformed heads al
- make your appearance no more amo'
'g intelligent beings.
en- Rut 7 am resolved 10 place the ge