The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-11
TIZENSHIP:
STATE CITIZENS, GENERAL CITIZENS.
SPEECH Of HON. PHILEMON BLISS,
OF OHIO,
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
JANUARY 7, 1858.
The House being in Committee
pra dantNu Masoo-a

The House being in Committee of the Whole upon the
Presidents Message
Mr.. BLISS spoke as follows:
Since the last Congress, the country has been
startled by political opinion of our Supreme
Court, known as the bred Scott decision, that
makes it doubtful whether we have not already
relapsed into despotism. The President en-.
dorses it, and l am informed that the Depart
ments base their official action upon it, and it
is for this / now and here arraign it. The
irregularity of that opinion; the absurdity of
turning a man out of court for want of juriedic.
ton, and then giving judgment against him on
the merits (; the anomalous character Of its
reasoning its disregard of the rights of the
States the rights of man, and the truth of histo-
ry; its reckless partsanship and eager Malice
form the saddest chapter in modern iurispru.
dence. l ordinarily feel bound to treat judicial
opinions with respect, though they disagree with
mne But, while / remember that the mean.
est tyrants the world has known have been the
sworn expounders of the law, can have no
reverence for men merely as judges and if
they descend from their high calling as protect
ors of liberty and law, to become their betray-
ers, their position shall not screen their double
treachery from just scrutiny.
This court is itself Democratic anomaly
a solecism, as Jefferson called it. Its conduct
has INDICATED the Democratic principle, so
strangely departed from in its organization !;
and hope for the cooperation of the Democ
racy here in support of the bill which hope to
introduce for the curtailment of its overgrown
powers. Without a show of reason, in face of
all law, all authority, sectional, irresponsible
body-a body blind with prejudice, if no worse,
representing nothing but q despotic interest
and gathered together, by long and careful
labor and sitting, for the express purpose of
serving that interest, trusting to their irrespon
sibility, and csllous to the opinion of mankind
this body, to the extent of its power, has over
thrown the law of citizenship, and published
pages Of gross and illegal dicta upon the law
of Slavery. This decision and this dicta have
been triumphantly answered by the minority of
the court, and by distinguished citizens of the
States; yet l feel impeled, as the Represent.
alive of people burning with sense of ont.
ragged justice, to enter their ard my Indignant
protest.
With the reproduction of the novelties ne N.
propsgandists, to digest which, for the fntn-s
shibboleth of the slave Democracy, VAS IT,
dicta uttered, shall not now NEEDLE hons
before considered these novelties / NAV do AZ
again but my objec. now ia TO examine -.
fully as your oppressive rules will hermit vba,
l understand to be the decision of the conf
l feel especially impelled to this course now.
because some gentlemen seem fearful of being
suspected of concern for the rights of blacks !;
and the attention of others seems diverted from
this insidious and most dangerous attack, BY
the enemy's fresh attempts to enslave our own
territories, and rob, to enslavs those of our
neighbors.
And in view Of some disclaimers, here and
elsewhere, upon one matter l wish to be dis.
tinctly understood. Whatever my philosophy
in regard to races, 1t has no business here.
However may dsprecate the unwise efforts OF
some friends Of Freedom, reserve my censur 90
for them, and in their own presence. But
here, under the shadow Of despotic intere st,