The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-06-29
THE SLAVERY QUESTION.
SPEECH OF
Hon. Edward Wade,
In tie House Of Representatives.. May I9A,


Mr. WADE said:
Mr.. CHAIRMAe: The Scriptures OF the
Did and New Testsments are admitted by
all Protestant Christians to contain the
rule OF moral conduct for all men,
II all times, and under all circumstances. !
On this point there is no dispute between /
the advocates and opponents Of slavery.
Hence, the influence Of these Scriptures
is potent for good or evil TO mankind, ac-
cording as they may decide for or against
the rectitude Of human conduct and
human institutions. These supreme ar
biters Of right and wrong among men
must no, be pressed wrongfully and falsely
into the service Of so great 3 moral, social,
and political evIl.as that Of chattel slavery.
This is subject vital 10 TIE interests Of
civilization and humanity on.the American
continent, and throughout the world
The doom for ages OF the laboring classes,
white and black, hangs upon the solution
Of this question. Should the prevailing
sentiment OF the age assume the verify of
This overshadowing fslsehood, then would
return that reign Of horror, during which
the shores Of the American continent and
adjscen; islands were made to swarm with
vast multitudes Of wretched and embruted
barbarians imported from Africa as slaves.
These would take the place Of intelligent
and highly civilized white laborers and
these las. be forced back into poverty,
ignorance. and that deprivation Of morals.
ever the forerunner and the companion Of
the unmasterable evils Of human slavery.
The fate Of the while race as we'll as the
black hangs upon this momeutous prop.
osilion. Indeed, should the professed
believers in the Holy Scriptures, from in.
difference, interest. or prejudice, suffer
such a pernicious heresy 10 prevail, in
fidelity itself would feign belief, in view
Of The profits and pleasures TO be derived
from this unhallowed dominion Of man
over his equal and immortal brother.
Sir. the magnitude Of The interests,
moral, social and political. involved in the
solution Of this question, as well as the
fact that many Christian ministers and
professors Of religion either advocate the
oppressor's side, or else stand neutral in
this great controversy, moves me to stand
up in this Hall to resist an error, to say
the very mildest Of j, inv diving the morals
Of the Christian Church as well as the
moral influence Of the Christian Scriptures,
and the moral character Of the American
people.
Mr.. Chairman come to the discussion
Of this momentous question with the
deepest sense of my inability to do it the
justice demanded by its importance. and
had hoped that some gentleman ON this
floor. whose profession had been TO study
and expound the Scriptures. would have
undertaken their defense against the in
sidious and destructive assaults made by
those who have sought to press them into
the service Of human slavery.
Sir. recos srizc the Christian Scriptures
as the supreme authority in every mora
question. Hence. for me to know tbeil
teachings is to know my duty on every
question on which may be called TO act.
in my relations to my fellow.man, my
country, or my God. Shareholders vir.
,ually admit this when they vouch the
authority Of Scripture in defense OF slavery.
Thus they ss well as their opponents, re-
sort 10 the "higher law" OF the Bible in
defense Of slavery; while they denounce
with unsparipg severity those who vouch
that same law in opposition to tha, mon
ster scourge Of the human race.
Sir, our duties in this life are threefold
to our Creator. ourselves, and our fellow
men. As creatures OF God. we have tht
right to pursue our individual well being
by any means we may deem most con
ducive TO that end. provided that. in sucl
pursuit we do not obstruct others in tht
same right. Hence the natural right tt
property is the peaceful occupancy o
such and so much Of the products o
nature as we need. and which we msy
End unoccupied by others Of our fellow
beings &nd much more have We th'
right to all the products Of our owl
strength and skill. effected without mo
lestation Of. or violence to others.
This definition OF natural rights ex
eludes The exercise OF all dominion by on
human being over another Of mstur,
years and sound mind without the fre'
consent OF that other.
; This principle is the only foundation o
free Government, and cannot be violate,
, sithout n breach OF that rule OF righ
which the Saviour OF the world has de
elsred to emboIy the sum and subsianc
Of The claw and the prophets" othe
. words, the moral code embraced in Divin
revelation. Indeed, besides this greS
principle, there is no rampant between th
rights OF TIE people and the power an
: wicksdness o! despotism. But we ar
E told that the "wise and the strong vii
9 rule the in6rm in body aud mind" lie
this be admitted still it proves nothing
The question is not what the strong i
mind and body will do 10 their weakc
7 brethren but wha, they may justly dc
. l say. cir. that the just and benevolen.
however mighty. will not rule over tn
, weak and helpless, only so far as is con
sistsnt with justice and benevolencs.
, say further. that whoever has intelle ct 4
know what is just. in order to be dea!
with justly. must bs consulted. and in
dueed by just and humane motives I,
submit to the authority Of another man %
Of many men stronger md wiser thar
himself. Any other rule. founded on th,
supposed right Of the strong to rule owe
! the weak. sets mankind At once At uni
+. vsrsal war ia . mad struggle Of orut,
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