Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-02-06
SPEECH OF
HON. PHILEMON BLISS, OF OHIO.
DELIVERED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, JAN
.saI.. y uARY I, 1858.

Since the last Congress, the country has beer
startled by political opinion of our Supreme
Court knwn as the Dred Scott decision, that makes
it doubtful whether we are not already relapsed in
toidespotism. Tho President endorses tand | an
10 formed that the Departments base their oficia
action upon it and it is for this now and here ar
raign it. The irregularity of that opinions the
aSsurdity of turning a man out OF court Tor want
of jurisdiction, and then giving Judgment against
him ON the merits the anomalous character OF It's
reasoning; its disregard Of the rights of the States
the rights of man, aud truth of history; its reck
less partisanship and eager malice-iorm the sad
dest chapter in modern Jurisprudence. l ordina-
rily feel bound to treat judicial opinions with re
spect, though they disagree with mine. But,
while remember that the mcanest tyrants the
world has. known have been the sworn expoun
ders of the law, i can have no reverence for men
merely as judges; and if shcy descend from their
high calling as protectors Of liberty and law. to
become their betra yers, their position shall not
screen their double treachery from just scrutiny.
This court is itself a Democratic anomal "a
solecjsm, as jefferson called it. Its conduct has
vindicatcd the Democratic principle. so strangely
departed from in its organization; and hope for
the 90 operation of the Democracy here in support
of the bill which hope to introduce for the cur.
tailment of its Overgrown powers. Without show
of reason, in the face Of all law, all authority Sec
tiona irresponsible body, body blind with preju-
dice, if no worse, representing nothing but des-
potic interest, and gathered together, by long and
Cureiul ltUUr lOl 'bO tAilCeS tHl pOHC
Of serving that interest trusting to ther ires pom
sibility, and caous TO the opinion Of mankind
this body. to the exents of its powers aas 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 triumphant
ly answered by the minority Of the court, and by
distinguished citizens of the States yet ( feel
impeled. as the Representative of people burn,
ing with Of outraged justice, to enter their
and my indignant protest.
With the reproduction of the novelties of the
propaganiists to digest which, for the shibboeth
of the slave Democracy, was this dicfa uttered,
shell not now meddlc. | have before considered
these novelties may do SO again; but my object
now is TO examine. rs fully AS your oppressive
rules will permit, what | understand to be the
decision of the court i feel especially impeleG
70 this course now, because sume gentlemen seem
fearful of being Inspected of concern for the rights
of blacks and the attention of others seems di.
verted from this insidious and most dangerous
attack, by the enemJ's fresh attempts to enslavc
our own territories, and rob, to enslaye those of
our ueghhors.
And in view of some disclaimers, here and else.
where, upon one matter | wish to be distinctly
understood. Whatever my philosophy in regard
to races, it has no business here. However | may
depre ciate the unwse efforts of some friends of Free
dom, reserve my censures for them, and in their
presence. But here, under the shadow of a despot-
ic interest corporation, compared to which, u
union of ali the banks under single directory,
condensed frem a thousand Biddles, would be hut
a gentle monster, where it go often frightens
ards and scourges slaves, to say do aught
that may imply q doubt Of my living sympathy
with the crushed tjects of its power, with
any who manfully withstand it. And | pray not
to be suspected of that spurious philanthropy,
athcstic Christianity, or false democracy, that it
is Indifferent to the wrong OF any class. As a
Christian, believe that God is our common father
that she has made of ole blood all nations of men
to dwell on the face Of the earth )" that Christ is
the elder brother of theEthiopian endSaxon well
as his own race, and that as we treat the least Of
his brethren, we treat him. As Democrat /
believe in the equality of all men before the law,
and that human rights pertain to human nature
As q legislator dispenser of justice, far from
discriminating against the helpless and weak, if II
found one man or class of men more helpless or
subject to popular prejudice, for his or their
benefit alone would favor class legislation iu-
dicial leaning. The strong protect themselves
the weak need the prop, and the defeIceless the
their co-workers in yonder vaultof the dependence
Of the Africo-American or of the rapidly increas.
ing class of Afrieo- European blood, | would not
hence forbid him letters, forbid him property, for
bid him oil opportunity and manly motive, butt
would more seduleusly guard his rights, more pa.
tently develop his manhood. Let tho tyrant Sian
der his victim, and excuse his tyranny by its own
effects but let no Christian Democrat thus defle
the inner sanctum of his faith.
This court has undertaken to outlaw large
class OF free American citizens. BY its wicked
edet they are for the first time turned out of the
Federal courts banished the public domain by
denying pre'emptions; robbed of their property
in inventions by refusing patents; cut of from for
sign travel except as permanent wanderers, with
nationality !; and deprived of every constitutional
guarantee Of personal rights. 1t has hardly been