The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-04-22
Mr. Glddings on the Trial of Adams.

, The Hon. Joshua X. GIddin|s gave,
last evening, in Plymouth Chuuch before
a large audience, n telling account of the
trial of John Quincy Adams By the Slave
Power in the House OF Representatives.
After the War OF l~I2, he said the Slave
Power took possession of the Executive
and Legislative branches Of the Govern
ment it was long aflerward that the third
branch the Judiciary-succombed. The
army of the United States was sent, un-
/ der the order of the Executive, to mas.
sacre the exiles Of Florida and no man in
the Senate or House of Representatives
dared to protest against it, A Northern
man drew up bill praying bounty to
the muIderers, and Northern men voted
it through. Our Minister at ST. James
then put forth the unblushing faIsehood
/ that the negroes were regarded as prop
erty by the United States Government,
and paid Tor when lost in war. Mr.. Gid
dings was afraid that he should be accused
OF talking politics for just as sure as he
spoke OF eternal truth, they said that he
was speaking against the Democratic
party. Applause. In speaking of the
Creole mutuy, he thanked God for the
fatal blow which was struck by Madison
in Washington. Then Daniel Webster
placed this nation in the attitude of a
solicitor for slavedealers at the Court OF
81. James, and in the Senate Of the United
States they proclaimed war against
Eng il she hesitated to pay over the
money.
Northern men yielded in order to save
the Union. But the Slave Power went
further. When the people sent ;heir pei,
tons TO Congress, they were flung back
into their faces. Religion, too, was con-
taminated to save the Union. All the |.
churches in the District OF Columbia par
ticipaled in slavery. One clergyman sold
II member of his own church. Mr.. Gid,
dings related several instances of the
desperation to which slaves had been
driven in the District of Columbia,
and gave some striking illustrations of
the degradation of The North, and
is dirt-eatng submissveneSs to the
Slave Power. lie told how great
was the interest felt in Washington, when
Shadrach was rescued in Boston; how
the President issued his proclamation
calling upon the people to save the Union,
and the Secretary OF the Navy ordered
the vessels TO be put in fighting order, to
owShadrach, then on his way toCAnadl.
[ Laughter and applause. 1t was in
such state Of feeling that John Quincy
used TO take out petition, and state that
ii was from so many men, and so many
women, and that it prayed for the abolition
of slavery in the District of Columbia
Instantly score of Sourherners would
propose to put il under the table, or upon
the table, aud it went there. Then he |
would take out another to excite an angrier
reply.
Some forty citizens of Haverhill sent
him petition asking that, as the Southern
States could not remain in the Union a,
great while, Congress should take meas
ures for the peaceful separation Of the
States. Mr.. Adams asked that this be
referred to Special Committee Of nine,
to report the reason why the prayer of the
petition could no. be granted. There
WAS great confusion. but Mr.. Hopkins of
Virginia, found an opportunity to ask it it
would be in order TO burn the petition
Mr.. Adams did not reply, but afterwards
alluded to him as the ombuStble mem
ber." Alter many attempts, Mr.. Wise of
Va, got the floor, and asked if it would
be in order to move resolution OF cen
sure. There were many cries of Good !
good !" and the House adjourned. A
meeting of Southern men placed the bur
den OF the arraignment of Mr.. Adams,
upon Tom. Marshall of Ky, A meeting
OF Northern men WAS attempted, but
scarcely more than three were willing to
sustain Mr.. Adams. Next morning Tom.
Marshall made his speech, and an able
speech it was. Mr.. Adams called upon
the Clerk to read the opening sentences Of
the Declaration of Independence, and then
claimed that it was tho "right and the
duty" of the people TO change their Gov
ernment so as to secure their libefties
He then sat down, saying that il The reso
luton were pressed, he should ask for the
poslponement 10 prepare his defence
A Georgian followed, hoping the House
would not hesitate. Mr.. Wise of Va. then
commenced speech, which ended the
next day. Mr.. Adams replied, crushing
/ Wise bv an allusion 10 the Cilley duel, in
which Wise was a second, and haying
Marshall so terribly that Marshall never
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