Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-02-05

our objects; their God is our God. To
defend the doctrines of the Republican
marty would be to defend the doctrines of
the Republican fathers. Instead of doing
that, it is our duty to expose those who
make war upon these doctrines, upon those
who seek to overturn the essential elements,
the fundamental principles, on which all
our hopes of liberty and progress are based.
Men who war upon those doctrines are
separated from the Republican party by a
moral gulf as deep and broad as that
which separated Dives and LAZARUS
Against them we wage an unyielding, de-
termined, political warfare.
Gentlemen have made inquiries as to
the doctrines and policy of the Republican
party. In answer, say that no man of
ordinasy intelligence can be Ignorant OF
our doctrines or our policy. Our political
creed has been published to the world. 1t
is known and read by all men. 1t was
adopted at Philadelphia, where the origin
al Republican creed was adopted in 1776.
1 will read the first and principal declara-
ton Of sentiment, unanimously adopted in
solemn Convention, by as intelligent, as
patriotic body of men as ever assembled
| in these United States. 1t is in these
words:
"Posolpod, That the maintenance of the prln-
ciples promulgated in the Declaration of Inde-
dendence, and perpetuated in the Federal Con-
| stitution, shall be maintained"
Sir, have already shown that the great
truth, that "all men are endowed by their
Creator with the inalienable right of life
and liberty" was promulgated in the De-
claration of independence, and perpetuated
in the Constitution; and 1 now add, that
the maintenance of these doctrines, the
Republican party stand pledged to man
kind and to God. p ise
We are conscious that when these doc
trines were proclaimed by our Republican
fathers. there were men in the Colonies
who denied them; but these men were re-
gard ID as enemies to their country and TO
mankind. They were held in such con-
tempt, that the very name is yet regarded
as odious.
Mr.. BENNETT, of Mississippi. 1 ask
the member from Ohio whether he, on
former occasion, ever uttered this language
that is here attributed to him? l will
send it to the Clerk to be read.
The Clerk read as follows:
al look forward to the day when there shall
be scrvilc insurrection in the South; when
black man, armed with British bayoRets, and
led On by British officers. shall assert his tree
dom, and wage war of determination against
his master; when the torch Of the incendiary
shall light up the towns and cities of the South,
and blot out the last vestige OF Slavery. And
though may not mock at their calamity, and
laugh when their fear cometh, yet will hail 1t
| as the dawn of political millennium.
Mr.. GIDDINGS. 1 will answer the
member kindly. / do not blame him; he
is young member, is unacquainted with
me personally. May God forgive his ig-
norance. l freely forgive him. have
seen the language quoted by him going
the rounds of the Democratic papers dur
ing the Presidential campaign. In some
parts Of the country, it seemed to consti-
tute almost the whole capital of the party;
but l did not expect any member OF this
body would be green enough to put it forth
here, whence an exposure would 90 out to
the whole country. On Monday when the
member from Tennessee Mr.. SMITH al
luded to this matter, I inquired when and
where l uttured such language. He first
attempted to say that l used it in Phila-
delphhia, but finally intimated that if l
had not used that language I had said some
thing else. Now, that is quite possible.
But if ever uttered such Language, there
is record of it, and no one can claim the
right to interrupt me while making a
speech to inquire whether the thousand and
one falsehoods with which the Locofoco
press has so long teemed, be true or not.
Yet win say to the member, and to all
members Of this body, and the country,
that on no occasion, under no circumstances,
have uttered desire for the unnecessary
shedding of human blood. l have no re-
collection of using the language quoted by
the member, nor have any idea or belief
that ever used it, here or elsewhere. The
objects to which I have ever devoted my
attention have been those Of peace and
god will to mankind. l am not aware of
any unkindness towards shareholders; but
my my sympathies are with the oppressed.
| hate oppression in all its forrRs with an
inefable and ,uuutterable hatred. All good
men hate it. the Republican party hates it,
God hates il; but l have never uttered or
felt a wish that the enslaved should use
anv more violence than is actually neces-
sary to obtain their freedom. That they
may obtain it peacefully, 1 hope and pray
but if they cannot obtain it in that way.
still hope they may obtain it, at whatev-
er expense may be necessary to the op-
pressor.
| And, now, turn to ask the gentleman
from Mississippi, Mr.. BENNETT, whether
he holds 10 the self-evident truth, that all
men are endowed by their Creator with the
inalienable right to life, liberty, and hap
piness? Will he be as frank with me as
was with him, and give me categorical
answer? -....s.
Mr.. BENNETT was understood to say
that "equals were endowed NTH these
rights" 1-.
Mr.. GIDDINGS. It is my opinion
. that God has given to the member from
i Mississippi the same claim to life and liber
ty that he has bestowed on the President
Of the United. States. The member from
Mississippi, with his slender physical sys
tenn, is not the equal of myself in strength
but will he admit that his right to life j:
more doubtful than mine? Do understand
him to admit, that because have tho
, physical power, therefore l possess tht