The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-09-30
WASHINGTON, DC.
TIE RETIREMENT OF NIB. G1DD1RGs.
His Own Speech or the Occasion.

candidate for the place which Mr. Giddings
has filed for the last twenty years, the friends
of the latter assembled to greet him in front OF
his lodgings, and were addressed by the old
man eloquent" as follows:
ny Friends and Fellose- Citizens:
] sincerely rejo;cs TO meet you here, and
assure You that have never come before you
nnds- circumstances more pleasant and satis-
fact7ry TO myself personally.
For thirty six years | have been an active
poiricisr, but during sll that time never have
attended Congressional Nominating Conven
ton until noE, and should not at this time but
for the purpose Of consecrating my friend Mr.
Hl:chins) to the high and holy work you have
SIT before him. l know the pleasure he must
feel in having received the expression of your
confidence, and in taking at your hands the
Important trust of being your Representative,
Ind IN acting for you in the great work of
National Reform. / fully sympathize with
him IN the qualification be must experience
for have travelled the same road.
From 1922 for sixteen years, the people of
our cistric. sustained my predecessor (Mr Whit
ilesey y and for t~eaty years have received its
approval. There are men in my county Ash
iabuls) fiftyseven years of age who have never
voted fer more than two men to serve them in
Congress / speak of my county, for the coun-
district, we're separated from our district for
ten years.
This stability of purpose is unparalleled in any
free State, and in but one district of the slave
States. II has rendered US historical, aud gives
us position in the nation equal to that of the
people Of any other. What | have contributed
to this is not for me to say; but may remark
that the great responsibility which has for TWEEN
~ years borne me down, has often rendered
my nights sleepless and my days anxious, is
now in part rolled eff. | feel the relief and
never have ! addressed you with lighter
heart.
BUs this vast responsibility is now to rest on
my friend, wkom you have nominated. He is
soon to bear alOft the Republican banner, and,
in the name of our constituency, charge him
to see that It be not lowered that it never trail
In the dust
word as TO myself Having 30 long repre-
scented the district | knew that was in pecu-
liar position, and felt myself surrounded BY
some difficulties which could not but occasion
me some perplexity in determining what ]
should 90 Al this time. 1t is new thing for me
10 attend Nominating Convention; and am
here now because l have wished to show you
the motives which have influenced me in con.
senting TO enter this canvass.
Many friends urged me to decline being a
candidate before you. | may be permitted to
say to you. also, that many friends in the dis
trict, end from every quarter outside the dis
trict, wished me to continue in Congress and
they urged that | had no right to withdraw
from the canvass. however much might desire
to do 90. Men Of distinction, from other States,
whom love. insisted that had commenced
the agitation in Congress of the greet question
whether the constitutional powers of the Fed
eral Government shall be put forth and ex
4 = OF.
thai had 20 long labored for it as to become
identified with the cause; that my present in
Thence was greater than at any former period
AID thsi had no right 10 decline. | assured
them tha' ] was rot Ambitious to die in Congress
but wiling 10 do so if necessary for the good of
the cause; that my own self.respect would not
permit me to ask or strive for O nomination
that il the dgty Of the recple of the district
TO nominate such au individual as would most
efficiently carry forward the great reformation
now IN progress, ard | would leave the matter
with them, silently submitting it to the people
whose interests and honor were most concerned
l concuTed with these friends that my position
would not permit me to decline a nomination
If rendered me. and preferred avoiding respon-
sibiityin the matter, leaving that responsibility
where it naturally belongs.
/ wished to place myself thus on the record,
tia. / might be understood before and after the
nomination. / desired to say to the slavehold.
ers did not voluntarily Withdraw from the con.
test, but that the people selected better and an
ADLER man to aid in carrying forward the great
subject which now absorbs the popular mind
that be, IN the full tide Of ambitious manhood.
will lend greater energy to the cause than /
can. Am | right?
Ia that feeling and object heartily concur.
In that selection, feel myself thousand times
~, I h. l.
fGsal tc be a candidate | have no interest
aside from this cause. j have no honor separe.
ted from that Of cur district and of mankind.
With this cause, | would stand or fall and you
having selected az agent who will lend it a
more efficient support thar | could, shall feel
more anxious to sustain him than to sustain
myself.
want 10 cay to my friend, Mr.. Hutchins.
and 10 you, that this fight is not vet ended
There sre difficult passes to be taken, and hard
contested faids yet TO be won and from the
position which the reople of this district have
occupied IN the fight, the eye of the nation will
be upon my successor. This district has occu.
pied higher position than any other in the
land, and Jour acts and your Representative
acts are marked. | would not presume to ad.
wise him; bat were ] TO volunteer a single eau.
ton, would charge him to maintain that plat
toim which be aided in forming at Philadel-
phis. Let no modification be interpolatsd :;
regard 1t as the faith delivered TO the Republ.
can saints, TO be maintained in all its dignity.
Fellow-citizens, Cur friend will soon enter
upoh new sphere of action grave labor, in.
cessant toll, will be his portion; and when he
returns 10 you, after four FIVE years service,
the effect upon his physical constitution will be
perceptble. Encourage, cheer, and support
him; LET him never look back to find az sailsnts
at home for doing his duty in Congress. Msy
God preserve him from the annoyance to which
many Of the pioneers of the cause have been
subjected. l in anything be errs or fails, LET
his error or failure be treated kindly and can
6idly. / assure him that shall do whatever
may be able to render his political duties
pleasant, and TO encourage him in maintaining
truth and justice.
And now word at parting.
Nearly forty years Ct political association
have attached me to ny fellow citizens of the
district. know the feelings which have ami.
mated you, ard believe you have heartily sus
tanned me N my course. Some of my old Wing
friends are here, who loug ago fought with me
IN the ranks CT that party, and awhile against
me when left it. You were honest in so do
ing, and SO was |. Since then, there have been
other divisions. Some have acted with the
American organ zstien, and / could not &c
with them in that action. You no doubt were
honest, and so was |, and believe / was lit
tie the most SO. Cheers. Others still are ole
Anti-Savery men, who, with you, have borne
Ihe burden and heat OF the day; and now alto
gether, with mutual good will, we can look il
each others faces, and admit that we all hav,
been sincere, ard that ell are earnest aud heart,
in carrying on The work of the Republican
party.
4 1850 80, x,;,h Eobtar hao-t A.. -