Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-03-05
J. R. GIDDINGS' LATE SPEECH
To The Editor ofMe init. ,Sapeyy Bugle:

To the Editor fMe 1ntt' iSavery Bug1e'
Mr.. Giddings has, during the last few years, put
forth various letters and speeches, which seem to
claim for him and his acts the purest devotion to
truth and humanity, and the highest integrity to
the cause of freedom and these efforts of his, are
published freely in the anti slavery papers, with
no objection or criticism at all, Tor if any, very lit
tie, and light, as though they were really what
they purported to be.
Mr.. Giddings has said, and done much for the
cause he has at heart, and which is dear to US all,
and deserves high commendation for his integrity
and faithfulness where SO many have faltered and
failed. Yet, as from the stand point of the advance
guard, he is in, essentially, a false position, and oft
times makes those wrong movements or b%lunders,
which Napoleon characterized as worse in effect
than crimes. And as it is necessary in our, as in
every reform movement, that the truth be we'll de-
fined and error clearly exposed, from whatever
source it comes, it would seem thar no respect for
Mr. Giddings' arduous service, venerable years and
gray hairs, should shield his errors and sophis
tries from the clcarest exposure and criticism.
These errors are SO apparent that those who are
thoroughly vcrsed in the philosophy and facts OF
the movement, would not for a moment, be deluded
thereby, yet there are so many, and readers Of The
Bugle, too, who view him as nearly, or quite i'm
maculate, and who receive oil bis utterances as
those of an Oracle, it seems necessary on this ac'
count, to point out clearly a few Of his defects in
order that they be not deluded thereby.
His lsto speech in Congress has been so highly
commended, and by all reports, seemed to be Sc
able and lucid an exposition Of the true anti sla.
very principles and facts, that I was utterly sur.
prised when | at last met q full copy of it to find
that it was Just as Objectionable, if not more SO
than many of his other late efforts. 1 feel moved
to call attention to one or two of the defects there.
of.
The great error which he has been laboring to
crystalize into historical fact, since the campaign
of 1856, is on the forefront of this speech and seems
TO be his central point around which all his other
errors revolve, and consists of the statement that
the great truths of the Declaration Of Independence
are Incorporated into the United States Constitu
ton. This is a false assumption-nothing but ar
assumption, no attempt to show the fact is ever
made, for it cannot be done, as the Constitution
nOcheIe contains the statement, or the idea tina
ALL MEN ARE BORN EQUAL! There 10 in it NJ
provision that protects the human being 10 bis
equal inalienable rights, Of life, liberty, or proper
ty. To BIO sure Mr.. Giddings and Others quote
with triumphan assumption, tho claim that "Nc
person shall be deprived of life. liberty, or proper
ty without, due process of law" But this is ar
unfortunate quotation for their theory, for SO lal
from securing these rights as absolute, it expressly
admits that they are ali open to be alienahed by
Jaw, thus aatly denying tho statement of the Dec
iaration that they are iaalienad!e.
But il is sometimes said that process OF law
implies q conviction or execution CT a court after
o formal Jury trial. Yet the constant practice Of
Legislatures and Courts in all our States shows
that this is not SO. The criminals, who, for petty
ohences, are daily sentenced by the Police Courts oil
all our larger Cities to fines and Imprisonment, are
deprived of property and liberty too, ''by duo pro-
cess of law" although there is no jury trial.
Thousands Of Lunaties are imprisoned in our Asy.
lums. and deprived of their liberty "Ly due pro-
cess OF law" and yet there is no jury trial or court
decision. Taxpayers are deprived of their prop.
erty without jury trial or court decision, and yet
"by due process of law" And the colorea man
in Ohio 10 absolutely robbed Of his property, for
the building and maintaining Of Schools, Lunatic