The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25
FREEDOM OF SPEECH INDICATED.
SPEECH OF Mr.. GIDDINGS, Of OHIO,
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Delivered the House of Representatives Dec 10 1850
Mr.. SPEAKER: No people ever stood more
firmly in the maintenance of popular rights than
did our Saxon and American ancestors. Since
the time when the sturdy barons of England ex-
torted from King John the Magma Charta " Of
British freedom, this great subject of the rights
of the people against political power has never
ceased to occupy the popular mind-sometimes
TO greater extent than at others, but at all
times it has maintained its grasp upon the pub
lie conscience. The great question which has
thus agtated the civilized world for thirty gene
rations is not likely to be brought to sudden ter
mination During that period, the rights of the
people have been gradually enlarged, and the
powers of Kings and Governments over the liber-
ties of mankind have diminished in proportion.
Our American ancestors of the Revolution
made a far greater advance than had been made
by any previous generation. They possessed ad-
vantages which no former age had enjoyed.
They had the past history of our race before them
They seized upon the wisdom, the experience Of
mankind in all former times, and shaped the new
Government according to the dictates OF that in
telligence.
Casting from them the control of the mother
country, they demanded position among the
nations of the earth. And as they entered upon
that mighty struggle of seven years of war and
bloodshed, they felt it due to mankind that they
should declare the reasons which impelled them
to engage in that momentous conflict.
The inspired pen of Jefferson was employed to
express the reasons which prompted them to
meet the armies of Britain in those death-strug-
giles where British and American blood flowed
in the same pool, upon the soil of an hundred
battle-felds. When those reasons were placed
before that couvocation of patriots for their
sideration and approval, New York and Virginia,
North Carolina and Connecticut South Carolina
and Massachusetts,, with the other thirteen Colo
MES, examined, discussed, and unanimously plac-
ed them before the world, as the solemnly -avowed
doctrines, the self-evdent truths on which they
based their vindicaton for appealing to the dread
tribunal of arms
To the nations of the earth and to posterity
they declared 4" that all men are endo1ced 6V their
Creator wih the inGlenabke right to life hbsrty and
the pursuit Of happiness" This was the funda-
mental principle, the seminal truth, which they
regarded as the foundation, the chief corner
stone, of our Republic. The next great truth
which they uttered was, that Governments are
constituted among men, to these rights" These
are the rights of all men, and these the objects
for which this Federal Government was founded
True the objects of Government may be defeated
by those who administer it but the right 10
life and liberty pertains to every human being.
The murderer the pirate, enemies of mankind,
may by crimes deprive US of their enjoyment,
but the rights will remain forever. 1t is a glo-
rious truth, that the meanest slave that bows
beneath the lash of his tyrant master, holds
from Heaven the same right to liberty which is
possessed by the proudest potentate who sways
the sceptre of civil power. Is the member from
South Carolina, who has just resumed his seat
TMr. KEITT, now ready and willing to maintain
these truths on which his predecessors and mine
then united, making their solemn appeal to the
Supreme Judge of the Universe for the rectitude
of their intentions / will, to the extent of my
power influence, and abilities, stand by and
maintain these doctrines. VIII that gentleman
If he is not present, or is unwilling to answer,
ask any member of the Democratic party North
or South, whether he or his party are ready to
stand by these doctrines | pause for an answer.
| hear no reply. Silence is the only answer can
ever obtain from them, when | pronOund this
direct question of human freedom. Men of the
South sometimes venture to deny these truths.
The Vice President elect is reported to have
denied them publicly and boldly during the re-
cent canvass but have never been able to extort
from a Northern Democrat direct answer 10
this plain question. There they sit In silence the
nation is listening for reply. If they answer in
the affirmative the South will read them out of
the Democratic party. If they answer ia the
negative, their constituents will repudiate them
Thus they vibrate between heaven and hell, I'M
certain in which they will finally land. laugh
teri / pity them. From my soul pity the man,
the being who dare not avow his principles, who
is afraid to utter the judgment that God has
given him.
| approve the boldness Of that leading Demo-
crat of the Senate, who had the courage to stand
up in the other end of the Capitol, and proclaim
TO the world that these doctrines of Jefferson,
and Franklin, and their compatriots, were self
evident hes" If man commit crime, | like to
see him do it boldly. 1t appears that his con-
sttuents have permitted him to retire to private
life, That was right; yet If he were honest if
sincere In his avowal, it was his duty to say
SO, and not deceive his constituents by silence,
Other distinguished Senators Of tie Democratic
party were present, and by their silence gave
tacit assent TO the SANDER Not one of them ut
tered word of disapproval.
In this Hall, at our last session, we listened to
a speech from the gentleman from Georgia, Mr..
srFsars, 70 show that Slavery, and not Libsr-