Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-03-07


men and she language was so changed as to read
thus: "a tax Of not more than $40 for each
person might be LEVIED" thereby excluding the
idea Of property. This was done 10y the unan-
imous consent of the Convention. Not q member
objected to Mr., Madisoh's views. 1t is clear that
the trainers Of the Constitution, so fur from declar-
ing slaves to be property, expressed an intention
directly opposed to such a proposition.
The doctrine that slaves are property is emphat-
ically coETRADIcrED by the spirit and teller 81
that instrument.
The objects for which i. was adopted pervade
every section, article and paragraph. 1t was
adopted "o establish Justice" not to establish in
Justice and crime. The trainers declare it was adopt
ed ito secure The blessings Q fAJerty;" not to uphold
the curse of Slavery, or to maintain the barbarous
doctrine tina: man may be converted into property.
But the people bad commended, they lad toiled, had
fought and bled to establish the heaven-born truth,
that all men have equal rights to life, liberty and
labor; and although the Constitution maintained
that doctii inc in its purpose and spirit, the people
felt that a more explicit declaration Of this great
principle ought to be boldly and explicitly pro-
claimed in the Constitution and some OF the
States proposed an amendment, declaring that mo
person shall be deprived of lille, liberty or proper
ty, without due process of law; that is, without
trial and conviction for crime"
Virginia felt that this amendment would be
fatal to all future right to property in man, unless
it were within State jurisdiction. Her Conven-
ton. therefore, proposed to limit the amendment
to free men, making it read that mo free man
shall be deprived Of life, liberty or properly, with
out due process of law" The issue was thus
fairly made it was fairly met and fairly decided
The requisite number of States declared in favor
of the amendment as it now reads, and 1T was
adopted, and is a part of the Federal Constitutions
and every time you and | have taken the oath oil
Office as Members of Congress, we have sworn
that so far as we had influence and power INC
person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property,
without due process of law"
If you have sworn to regard slaves, or any
other portion OF our race, as property, you do well
to let the country know it. 1t is the doctrine of
Judge Kane, it is the doctrine Of Senator Toombs,
1t IL the doctrine of President Pierce, of slave
holders, and of the Democratic party. If true,
the slave-dealer may not merely bring his slaves
into and through the Free States but he may open
Il market for his women in State street, Boston, In
Wall street, New York, or in Chestnut street.
Philadelphia. lie may traffic in mankind in any
Free State.
need not say that Congress has at all times dis
carded this proposition when brought up for dis
cussion in that body. | need not refer to the fact
that it was fully argued before the Supreme Court
in 1912; that Judge Mclean, to his honor and
imperishable fame as u Christian %jurist, gave an
elaborate and able decision, declaring that the
Federal Constitution does not regard StaUeS as
property.
Nor need I soy that Chief Justice fancy agreed
with him. Nor need | say that tho record shows
that the other members OF the Court failed to meet
the question, not daring to insult the nation or the
spirit of civilization by declaring the doctrine
which you assert.
l, Sir, have ceased, for the time being, to mingle
in the great political conflict now going on In our
nation. | am disabled and removed from the scene
of strife but l YET linger upon the field, watch
ing the tide of battle, as it moves slowly onward.
| can only aid the lovers of liberty with my pen
.,l 49,, r.oyo.s IIoro tha ROY OrtS of vOur lapturp
reached me, and stimulated me to tive some feeble
expressions to the emotions | felt on reading the
opinions which you advanced. No argument can
ever attach Republicans, lovers of liberty, to a
Union or a Constitution sustaining the barbarous,
the heathenish, the inhdel principles which you
ascribe to our Federal Constitution. If the Union
and the Constitution be preserved, it must be by
carrying out the doctrine, the spirit in which they
we're adopted, and not by ENGRAVING upon the
Charter of Liberty q doctrine so abhorrent to 1T
letter and spirit.
1t is with emotions of pleasure, Of gratitude t.
God and my countrymen, that l contemplate q
great, a powerful and increasing party in oui
nation, 6asing its doctrines and its hopes upon
the selfevident truth that all men are equally en-
titled to life, liberty and property each member
of that party is solemnly sworn that mo person
under Federal jurisdiction shall be deprived OF
these God-giyen rights, if their influence or power
can prevent it. | would cheer every member Of
the Republican party, in his efforts to maintain
its doctrines by steady, firm, combined and un
ceasing labor, exhorting them to cast aside al
differences of opinion upon other and minor sub
%iects, unite upon the great political. moral anc
religious truths which constitute their platfJrm
and toll on and toll ever, until our country shall
be redeemed from the control of men who woult
prostitute its powers to degrade a portion of tn
r human family-brutalize and convert them int
f property. Very respectfully,
J.R. GIDDINGS.
JEFFERSON, Feb. II, 1857.