Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-02-18
FREEDOM OF SPEECH IMPLICATED
SPEECH OF
HON. j. R. GIDDIN GS,
hsfbe House Of Representatives., Deem
Der 10. 1856.
sON THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

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Der TO- 1856.
Mr.. SPEAKER No people ever stood
more firmly in the maintenance of popa-
larrights than did our Saxon and Amer
ican ancestors. Since the time when the
sturdy barons of England extorted from
King John thei"Magna Charta'' of Brit
ish freedom, this great subject of The
rights of the people against political
power has never ceased TO occupy the
popular mind sometimes TO a greater
extent than. at others, but at all times 1t
has maintained its grasp upon The pub
lie conscience. The great question which
has thus agitated the civilized world for
thirty generations is not likely to be
brought to a sudden termination, Dur.
ing that period. the rights of the people
have been. gradually enlarged, and the
powers of Kings and Governments over
the liberties of mankind have diminished
in proportion. -.--
Our American ancestors Of the Revo-
luton made far greater advance than
had been made by any previous genera
tion.@. 'Fhey possessed advantages which
no former age had enjoyed. They had
the past history or our race before them.
They seized upon The wisdom, the expe-
rience OF mankind in all former times,
and shaped The new Government accord
ing to the dictates Of that intelligence.
Casting from them the control of the
mother country, they demanded a posi-
tion among the nations Of the earth
And as they entered upon that mighty
struggle of seven years of war and
bIoodshed, they felt it due TO mankind
thai they should declare the reasons
which iueelled them to engage in that
momentous conflict.
The inspired pen OF Jefferson was EN-
ployed 10 express the reasons which
prompted them to meet the armies oi
Britian in those death struggles where
British and American blood flowed in
the same pool. upon the soil of an hun
dred battlefield When those reasons
we're placed before that convocation ol
patriots, for their consideration and ap-
proval. New York aud Virginia, North
Carolina and Conn eciicut. South Caro-
lima and Massac husetts, with the Other
thirteen Colonies, examined, discussed
and unanimously placed them before th'
world, asthe soiemnly avoEed doctrines
the 'sself-evident truths" on which they
based their vindicaiion for appealing t,
the dread tribunal of arms.
To the nations of the earth and t.
posteritv they declared ''blat eH men ar
endoved by their Creator soith the inolien
able right to life, liberty, and the pursui
Of happiness % This was the funda
mental principle, the seminal truth
which they regarded as the foundation, th
chief corner stone of our Republic. Tn
next great truth which they uttered was
.akdt Governments are constituted anon
men, to secure these rights" These ar
the rights of all men, and these the OBJ
jects for which this Federal Government
was founded. True, the objects of Gov
eminent may be defeated by those VIII
administer it; but the right 10 life ant
liberty pertains to every human being
The murderer, the pirate, enemies G
mankind, may by crimes deprive us {
their enjoyment. but the rights will re
as main forever. 1t is a glorious truth
that the meanest slave that bows be
q meath the lash of his master, holds froI
Heaven the same right to liberty whie
Z is possessed by the proudest potential
who .sways the sceptre of civil power
Is the member from South Carolinf
* who has just resumed his seat, NJ
KE1rr, now ready and willing to mair
tain these truths on which his predece'
sors and mine then united, making the
solemn appeal to the Supreme Judge {
the Universe for the rectitude of the
Intentions? will, to the extent of 10
power, influence, and abilities, stan
by and maintain these doctrines. Wi
that gentleman! If he is not presen
or is unwilling 70 answer, l ask an
member of the Democratic party, Mort
2 or South, whether he or his party al
ready to stand by these doctrines?
pause for an answer. l hear no repl'
Silence is the only answer 1 can ev,
obtain from them, when ] PROFOUND th
4 direct question of human freedom. Me
. Of the South sometimes venture. to der
: these truths. The Vice President ele
! is reported to have denied them publicl
and boldly during the recent canvas
but I have never been able to exto
from Nor thern Democrat direct al
:. swer TO this plain question. There, the
sit in silence; the nation is listening f
reply Ifthey answer in the afirmi
tive, the South will read them out of Il
i. . =
Democratic party. If they answer
{ the negative, their uconstitenis win r,
pudiate them. Thus they yibrate b