Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-01-30

ful petitions 10 us, they are entitled to re- T
spectful answers do not say the Pc
tilions shall be granted. If The commit
tee really think tha. the slave trade and
The prssiice of raising human stock for
mprket ale ci themselves just and prop
er in tits civilized, this Christian nation, !
let hem say so. If they agree with the
petitioners, let them say that also. But
they are now held in silent contempt
We insist they shall be respectfully an
swerel.
Az entirely different practice prevails
wi h petitions in favor Of slavery. Lett
the Shareholder send his memorial 10 this
body, asking Congress to pay Linn from
"ihe funds collected from northern labor
ers for the loss of his slaves, and such
petitions are at once considered, and re-
spectfuIIy reported upon. This inyidi
Gus distinction between northern md
sou, u,hern petitions ought not, and, SO far
as my influence extends, shall not con-
iinue. We should deserve the contempt
of our people if we longer submit to these
insults. We demand the same respect
ful treatment for ,rthernmen and north
ern petitions that we grant to southern
men and southern petitions. We are in
earnest on the subject. We discard the
offensive seclionalism which has so long
been manifested On this subject there
is but one feeling among our people
Not member of this body from The free
SIaIes could be sie'urned here again, if
his constituents were conscious of his vo-
Ting to continue this practice, SO insult
ing 10 the selfrespect Of the people Of
the free States. ~
Now, gentlemen, feel some degree
of pride in having penned this resolution.
am perfectly willing the world should
regard me as its author. 1t embraces
two points. We vote for no man who by
his character and conduct is not pledged
to carry out the parliamentary law
This is the first point TO which slavehol
ders object. They intend the Speaker
shall violate this law. as they have done
for The last twenty five years. This con
sti;utes the first issue. The txt is, he
shall place on the principal committees a
majority of the friends OF freedom as fa-
vorable to making reports ON all petitions
| referred to them; not merely petitions
from the North, or from the South not
merely those which pray for the aboli,
ton of the slave trade. and TO prohibit
the practice of rearing children for mar
ket, but they shall report on all petitions
refened to them, even those praying the
continuance of the crimes referred to-
To this. The Democratic party also take
exception. They say the committees
shall not report on petitions in favor OF
| freedom. of civilization. This consti-
tutes The second issue. We would deal
out equal justice 10 all men, and to all
sections of the country. Pro slavery men
and pro->lavery petitions shall be treated
with the same kind attention which anti
slavery men and anti slavery petitions
receive. Equal rights, equal privileges,
and equal justice to all men consli-
tute the whole substance OF this resolu
tion. 1t embraces that perfect rule OF
human conduct, of doing unto others as
We would have them do unto US. Un-
der these circumstances, the resolution
was drawn up and presented, and unon-
igously adopted. | rej"iced at this unan
unity, and am thankful to God that
have lived to see representatives from
our free States thus capdidIy and firmly
demand that the petitions of our p, ople
shall receive the respectful attention of
their body, 20
And now having given distinct and
categorical answer to the interrogatory
of my friend from Virginia. Mr.. LEroH
EE. desire TO PROFOUND question to
him Would you, sir, vote for Speak
er that you believed would thus strangle
petitions from the North /? s--
Mr.. LETCHER. l will vote for
Speaker who will do his duty fairly and
Justly. -
Mr. GIDDINGs. L never knew my
friend 10 be astride the fence before.
[ Laughter t-..-r-..
Mr.. LETCHER. 1 will never vote for
any man whose character and conduct
are so doubtful that mustdemand pledg
es from him that he will be honest
[Cries Of Stood. good - a
Mr.. -GlDDINGS. | call on this House
and the country to witness the fact that
the gentleman evades my question. He
dare not give adirect answer. He dare |
not say that he agrees with the resolu
lion to which he referred {; nor dare he
say that he is opposed TO il. or would vote
for Speaker who would arrange the
committees SO as 10 entomb northern phi
lanthrorhy when it comes here in the
shape Of petitions. He thrust his inter
rogatory upon me. gave.him dhecI
categorical answer. | knew was right
| know that the people, my own con
science. and God, will llapprove the course
we have taken. And nIw, in turn,
PROFOUND to him plain and simple in
terrogatorv.. He, STAKEHOLDER. lodges,
evades. and gives no answer. He dare
not meet truth and justice at this forum.
desire him to say here. before the coun
try, that lie wishes to protect and con-
iinue the abhorrent crimes of slave
breeding and slave-dealIng in this Dis
trict. or that he would permit our petitions
on those subjects To be heard and respect
fully treated. He dodges, evades, and
takes no position on either side. He
speaks of pledges. Why. sir, he would
vote for no man who is not pledged by
his life and conduct 10 continue this in
sulling treatment of our petitions. But as
| stand here 10 be questioned l hold the {
reciprocal right of propounding interrog-
aIoIirs; and if gentlemen will bean with
me, should ke to enquire cf the Demo- I
cratic candidate for Speaker, Mr.. RICH :
ARDsoN, whether he will so arrange the s
committees as togive respectful answers |
10 petitions which may be presented on I
the subject of the slave trade in this Dis {
rict. and in regard TO ;he more dctesta- s
Bile fractice of rearing men and women
ior the marke' oi will so arrange the ,