Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-02-08
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
M.surYnrnn F0h. 2 1850.

WAsHINGTos, Feb. 3, 1850.
DEAR LEADER To-day, while tho vote was
being taken by which j. W. Forney was elected
Clerk Of the House of Representatives for the
Seth Congress, the old war~hoIse Of freedom
the Hon. J, R. Giddings; who had just been
examined by Senator NJ sons HArper's Ferry
Committee, entered the Representatives Hall
and was warmly greeted by throng of friends
from all parts, who Immediately gathered around
him, all seemingly anxious to grasp his hand,
and to have another look at the venerable and
manly form Of the man who, amidst SO many
trying scenes, had stood upon that floor daunt-
less among his foes, and eonfded in by the true
friends of freedom for q score Of years. While
group after group came to greet him, could
but notice one incident, which though trifing
in itselfporhaps, yet taken with its connections
was quite significant.
Hon, Frank P. Blair was sitting near Hon.
Thomas Corwin of Ohio, when semo one an
nOuncsd that Mr. Giddings was in the Hall,
whereupOn the gallant, true, and warm.heaEted
AIissOuliah Immediately arose, went forward
and greeted Mr.. Giddings most cordially, while
Mr. Corwin seemed to have no use of eyes or
ears, for he fnled to even look in the direction
of the spot where so many were paying their
heartfelt compliments to the noble old man.
Poor man, thought l, he is atraid-the ghosts
of those unanswered letters haunt him; and
who could ask him to meet the author Of the
Epistles of Joshua while he had not courage
enough to answer them!
In the Senate, yesterday, Fitch, Of Indiana,
went through with the dirt eating performance
which is now daily demanded by Southern
Senators Of Northern Democrats, and if spec
tator is allowed to judge, should call the thing
well done
In the most deprecatory tone, and with a
most iawning manner, the Senator from lndi-
ana informed his Southern masters that the
Democracy Of the North, though desrous Of
maintaining their old principles upon the sub
ject Of slavery, had consented finally to the
doctrine that the Territories were the common
property of the people to which both the North
and the South have an equal right, and further,
that the slave is property according TO the Con-
stitution, and that the Constitution protects
the stakeholder in the right to hold his slave as
property in any of the Territories of the United
States. He besought the South to remember
that to maintain that position had cost the De-
moeraey Of the North a great deal Senator
after Senator had been made 70 bite the dust
before the CALLING fire of the Black Republicans.
"Where," exclaimed the Senator, "are Shields,
and Jones, and Bigler, and Stewart, and Csss!"
and he seemed to warn his masters that many
more were in danger, and that ''the places
which now knew them would soon know them
no more forever"
He told them they had gone even further,
and when the South had declared that the SEN
ator from Illinois had avowed sentiments on
the Territorial question which were not consid>
cred orthodox and safe for slavery, the North
ern Democracy had done IS they were bidden,
and had excused Mr. Douglas from any further
service as Chairman of the Committee on Ter
ritories. "And now, gent smen," said he, 81
beseech of you, don't, if you please, 60 to
Charleston and nominate Mr.. Douglas upon
his platform, after requiring such service at cur
hands; but, gentlemen, if you must do it we
shall havs to support him, notwithstanding at
your command we dismissed him from the
Committee on Territories"
The entire submission of the once firm and
powerful Democracy of the North (for he spoke
for the whole North,) to the ever changing will
ofthe slave power which commands it was fully
acknowledged throughout the whole speech, and
would, if it could have been listened to by the
honest and intelligent Democrats Of Ohio,
turned them at once from the support of such
party. @.