New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-04
THE LATEST NEWS,
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from Washington.
Special Dispsoa 10 The n. =. 1unuDs
WASHINGTON, Friday, Feb. 9, 1860

pesred before the HArpers Ferry Investigating
Committee today Dir. Giddngs stated his wish
10 he examined witout delay and the Committee
politely consented. After ans wering interrogations
as TO his residence, ard tie lime be- had served ID
Congress, he stated his presumption that note
submitted to him, was written at the time indicated
by the date. lts object was to answer letterirom
John Brown, int mating that he would be in Audoyer,
and could lecture in Jefferson, where Mr.. Giddings
lived. J hn Brown caue there accordingly ON
Saturday afternoon wb le gentlemen of the village
were playing ball. He Mr.. Giddings, was called
akide from the play aud introduced to Brown, and
consulted as to the arrar gements for lecture next
DAY. He was 70. engaged moIe than three minutes
on this subject beiog iidsposed to any conference
concerning the dollars and cents, but told Brown to
come and lecture. Brown did the follOH
ing afternoon, 10 8 church where Sir. Glddine
woI.hips After tie lecture Mr.. Giddings
appealed to the audience, recIting the perse :utOns
t. which Brown had been subjected in Kansas, the
murder of hi. son, aud The fact that he then was
an object Of sympathy, having no regular business
on which TO rely for support. a satisfactory sum
was contributed. Brown accepted an invitation to
tea ard remain three quarters of an bour after
ward. Thee were the only occasions when Mr..
Giddnqs bad sren bim. Brown, in his lecture,
spoke Of the duty of Christians to aid the slave in
repaining the natural ghts which God gave him,
and of doiLg unto tue slave as we would have him
do unto us. From the TACT that Brown lad carried
slaves from Missouri into Canada, and bis arg1-
menis in favor Of aid to slaves to gain their lib
erty, and that be had DO established residence or
business, Mr.. Giddings concluded Brown would
and slaves TO escape, If opportunities offered. He
lad no Other authority for this impression than the
reasons given, aud that was only generally enter
tanned.
Dir Mason stated that John Brown Rad said in
letter tbat Dir. Giddings " Iuld endeavor to form
societies to raise funds, aud ASKED al explana-
toni
Mr.. Giddings answered that be was unable to
say what Brown thought. That John Brown ir.,
cal I'd at his house uOrulpg aud said his father
was in want Of money. He was just starting to
deliver lecture in Portage County, and the fol-
wig day had agreed 10 be IN Rayenna whe.e
one 0. z. Brown, WHO bad been Senator, and
was 8 mau Of influence, llVed that be understood
3 society existed there for charitable purposes,
sueb az assisting fugitive slaves to escape; that in
bis hurry Dir Gddmgs mentioned tols fact 10 John
Brown, it,, and saio he would ask o. p. Brown to
assist his father. That owing to indlsp0stIon
be returned home, without gong To RaSeDna, aud
was, therefore, unable to iuiil hls promise.
Bir Mason desired 10 know if Mr. Giddiogs's
lectures RAD not direct reference to the institution
OF Slavery.
Mr. Glddings replied they all referred to the funda-
mental principles Of buwSn governments, 10 the
impre scrplibe night OF nan TO the natural law or
Will Of the Creator, as defined by publicsts and
philosophers il ChristeI dom for the sst Two centu
Tier. Those teachings assert the rights Of every
human soul TO enjoy lite, liberty, and happiness.
Mr. Mason inquired II THIS ieachiUg Of the High
er Law was regarded superior TO human Laws and
lie Constitution
Mr. Glddings answered, by the improper use Of
terms, We often cOnlOund our own ideas. lie
undt rstoOd the term law to apply only TO such
enactnenis as accord with Divine will; that wri-
tiers say no enactment invading the natural law is
of any moral validity whatever that any enact
ment which seeks to take from an innocent human
being life OF liberty, imposes no obligation on such
a victim and cOni,rs 10 authority upon those who
would deprive BIN OF either; that It Is not only
The night Of oil men TO treat such enactment 81
void but il is the DUTY of every mau to mold it up
to detestation; that our Constitution recognizes
these doctrines, declaring that no person shall DO
deprived Of lite liberty OF property, except by due
process of law that is, By Indictment aud comic
ton before q Court of competent jurisdiction and
"a Jury OF his peers. Such euactments possess no
elem, nts of law, but are gross usurpaOns OF des-
potic powers, not delegoted to mnn-are criminal
in the Dseiyes, aud render those who enact, who
crimes committed under them.
Mr. Da'is inquired il these doctrines applied to
lunatics and IDsane perrnns
Air Giddlrgs said, Certainly; they are, by soci-
ETY., secured rom committing wToIgs upon them
selves; secured In theic lives, and in all liberty
which they csn enjoy in safety to themselves and
Others.
Mr. Davis asked if MINORS nave this right.
Mir. Giddngs arswered-Certanly; they are
uuocr tie protection of parental affection until suf-
Gciently developed 10 judge for themselves.
Mr.. Giddpgs expects TO be discharged BY the
Committee tomorrow.
THE ELECTION OF CLERK, ETC,
Tie election of Messrs. Forney and Holman to-
DAY. exhibited better working capacity than was
anticipated, and promises practical majority
throughout tie Session. The conference to-