Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-10-30
With great regard, your friend,
GERRfT SMITH.
Letter from J. H. Giddinss to Gerrit smith.

Letter from J. L. Giddings TO Gerrit Smith.
JEFFERSON, o., Oct, 25, 1855.
Hon. GERRrT SMITH, Dear SIR: In your ad-
dress at Rochester, you took occasion to say,
the party to which belong "does not seek the
abolition OF slavery. Nor does it even 90 for non
extension. 1t once said no more Slave States
Now it says no mere Slave States unless the
people wish it. If Kansas, or Utah wish to
come in as Slave States the Republicans as q
party would admit them" In saying that, I
thought the charge unmerited, l DO not intend TO
impugn your sincerity. But felt It due to you
and myself, that you should explain the grounds
on which you founded 1t. Therefore asked you
specifically to state irhsn the Republican party
abandoned its avowed faith By irhonl was this
apOstacy proclaimed I then supposed, and still
believe your impressions had been drawn from
the declaration Of individuals protesting to be-
long to the Republican party. but denying the
fundamental doctrines which constitute the
party, on which it has been founded, organized,
and on which 1t has risen TO its present proud
position In your answer you certainly have
failed 10 show UheI or trheTs the Republicans
abandoned their pledged faith; Nor have YOU
pointed me to the men who have proclaimed such
| aPOstacy.
But you reiterate the charge in general terms.
You say "you (meaning myself) act with the
Republican party and surely it is not at work to
abolish any Slavery. Your free soil party Of
ls4S declared its purpose 10 abolish Slavery in
the District Of Columbia. But never heard that
this is one Of the purposes Of the Republican
party"
Had you consulted our platform, you would
have found that we were pledged to abolish
Slavery, not merely in the District of Columbia,
and in all our forts, arsenals, magazines, cock
yards, and territories, where Congress has pow
er to legislaie, but throughout the world Our
doctrines are, that " all men (withOut regard TO
color or condition) are endowed by their creator
with the inaliena5le right TO live, TO that liberty
which is so essential TO cherish and protect life,
attain knowledge, and enjoy happiness" This
/ doctrine is held and proclaimed wherever Re
/ DubliedRS exist Their moral influence is felt
throughout this and other nations it is operating
not merely in New FORK and Ohio, but is arous-
/ ing the popular mind in all the Free and Slave
/ states 1t has recently manifested its strength
in Maine, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Ohio and In
diana While this moral influence is extending
and strengthening over the whole nation, and in
other nations, Republicans are sOlemnly pledged
to sustain these rights in all our territories and
to prevent by positive legislation the establish
ment of slavery therein. By the moral force Of
these truths, the Administration has been defeat
ed in the States named, and every Indication
now gives promise of glorious triumph in 1860.
Nothing can prevent such triumph but division
in our ranks. But you ask me, 'whatever your
party may say against the extension of slavery,
does Il 60 against ~" answer most emphatic
ally, yes: In every shape and form in which that
SUBJECTS or can be presented; nor do We stop
/ there. We hold and declare that the prima-
~ object and ultenOr design Of our Federal
/ Government, was TO secure all persons under
/ its exclusive jurisdiction, in the enjoyment Of
| lie, liberty and hlpPiness That It's eOnstitu-
tional powers shall be exerted in favor Of liberty
and justice: That acting on this policy at our
last session, every Republican member Of Con-
gress, voted to reject the LecomPton bill, that
being the highest degree of contempt for the
MEASURE which is allowed by Parliamentary
Law. / point you TO that record Nor do
stop there: point you to the subsequent de-
feat of that executive plan for extending slave
" by Republicans acting upon their avOwed
doctrines, although they numbered but ninety
two, out Of two hundred and thiTty-fO MEM
bers But this vote which saved Kansas from
civil war and slavery, you cite as an evidence,
that Republican members Of Congress had
abandoned their doctrines OF this misrepre-
sentation (surely not intended as sueh) ! COM
plain. In Fast time it has been regarded as a
maxim Of law and Of common sense, that every
man shall be presumed to intend the legitimate
result of his own acts The legitimate result Of
the Republican vote was the defeat Of the Lee
compton bill. Il was so intended by every Re
plblican- That result was attained KGnsaS
inas sa5ed- The object for which you and your
friends were striving and praying, for which all
Republicans were anxious and laboring was
reached: and you will permit me to express
my astOnishment that anti-slavery men should
now turn round and condemn Republicans
for thus defeating tie Vaccinations of the
Slave power. l think these charges unjust
Those who make them are undoubtedly jealous
and excellent men, who have strong conceptions
of truth and human rights, but little aPPrecia-
iion of the difficulties, the gigantic lsbors of em-