The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-12-23
OONGREss-THHRD SESSION, EIGHTH
DAY. IN.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

The Presidents Message was under discus
sion. Mr.. Washburn Of Maine, took the
floor and while speaking was interrogated
by Mr.. Smith of Va, to know If new State
should apply for admission into the Union
with Constitution asking the right to form
her own institutions if sho would have his
vote.
Mr.. Washburn-When that question comes
up, shall meet it and vote as circumstances
guide me. Now, / will ask the gentleman
from Virginia question: If Utah should
apply for admission into the Union, with a
constitution establishing polygamy, will she
receive his vote? Laughter. 2
Mr.. Smith--When the gentleman answers
my questions, l will reply to his. Laugh
ter.
Mr.. Cobb, of Alabama-Good! That is
Yankee eat Yankee! [Continued laughter.
Mr.. Smith, repeat the question.
Mr.. Washbuul- And repeat mine.-
Roars of laughter.
Mr.. Washburn proved that the President
had made up false record of history, and
denounced him in telling terms. All heresies
and sins of opinion, if not OF practice, may
be tolerable, tolerated and excused, if we
may Judge from the language and conduct
of tho President an his party, except the
enormous crime of loving Liberty and hating
Slavery. This is the unpardonablc sin which
shall not be endured neither under this Ad-
ministration nor that which ia to come. Why,
Sir, Old Line Whigs-Whigs Of the straight
est sect-High-T men, Bank men, and
ell Aose whom the Democracy for quarter
Of century have charged with being unpa-
triotic and dangerous men, unworthy Of the
confidence of the people, though they stand
covered as with garment by their unrepent-
ed sins, have but to bow the knee to the dra-
gon of Slavery and worship il as tho god Of
their political industry, and they are hailed
rs good members of the modern Democratic
party, put forward to places Of leadership,
and nominated to important offices. Third
degree Know Nothings in all their toggery,
fresh from their fulminations against the
Pope, and hoarse with denouncng those who
constitute, if not majority, a very large
proportion of tho Democratic voters-I mean
our adopted citizens-declare that the triumph
Of Freedom in national election would be
tantamount to issolut.on of the Union,
and would Justify it, and are joyfully receiv-
ed as the willing and welcome allies and low
ing conductors of tie Sham Democracy
Nullificrs and Fire-Eaters, red with uncom-
mon wrath--tho men against whom Jackson
thundered in 1S32-no sooner pronounce
Slavery blessing, and the very corner stone
of Republican institutions, than they are
made the aracles, law-givers, and platform
builders Of the party.
After some cross questioning between Mr..
Washburn and Mr. Keitt, Mr.. Giddings took
tho floor, which fact soon filled the galleries
and crowded the lobbies, for the old war-horse
seemed prepared for gallant charge. He
contended that one thing was established by
our current political history, that is, that we
arc destined to continue the agitation Of the
great question which, according to all past
annals has agitated tho North The rights
Of man are still the themes Of discussion.-
He showed that the Declaration of Indepen-
dencc was one Of the rich fruits of the Revo-
luton, and asked tho member from South
Carolina, Mr.. Kcitt, If no was prepared to
stand by that instrument; but Mr. Giddings
got no answer. The Republican party have
responded to this question. They have re-
affirmed the great truth written by the in
spired pen Of Jefferson, that ''all men arc by
their Creator endowed with certain inalicna-
bic rights, among which arc life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness" Th,sc rights
came not from Franklin Pierce, but from the
Omnipotent Mind. Hc put the question to
the member from South Carolina again, II
he would stand by tho principles Of the De-
claration Of Independence, and getting no
answer he said. II ask any member Of tho
Democratic party, North or South, whether
that party Is ready to stand by those princi-
ples-I pause for m answer. / hcnr no re-
ply. Sir. such is the response always get
to my wcll.defned interrogatories. Men from
the South uuequivocally deny this truth
Men Of that party in tho North dare not
speak in the Affirmative. There they sit II
they were to answer in tho negative they
would be cast oft by their constituents; il in
the affirmative, they will be repudated BY
the South: Tins they vibrate between heav-
en- AMI hell" [Great laughtcr] He said