The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-17
Mr. Giddings' Testimony.

Tho following account of Mr.. Giidpgs
testimony before tho Harper's Ferry In
ycstigating Committee, is given by n Wash
ington correspondent of the .Nsp York
Tribune:
After cnsworng intcrrogations as to his
residence, and tho timo he had served in
Congress. he stated his presumption that a
note submitted to him, was written al the
time Indicated by tho date. Its object was
to answer letter from John Brown, init
mating that ho would be in Andoyer, and
could lecture in Jefferson, where Mr.. Cid
dings lived. John Brown camo there &C.
cordingly on Saturday afternoon, willie gen
teman of the village were playing ball.
lie, Mr.. Gddings was called aside from the
play and introduced to Brown and consulted
as to THO arrangements for q lecture next
day. lIc was not engaged moro than three
minutes on this subject. being indisposod to
any conference concerning the dollars and
cents, but told Brown to come and lecture.
Brown did so the following afternoon, in
church where Mr.. Giddings worshps After
tho lecture Mr. Gddings appealed to the
audience, reciting tho prosecutions to which
Brown had been subjected in Kansas, the
murder of his son. and the fac, that be then
was an object Of sympathy, having no regu.
lar business on which to rely for support.
A satisfactory sum was contributed. Brown
accepted an invitation to tea and remained
three quarters OF an hour afterwards -
/ These wero the only occasions when Mr..
Giddings had seen him. Brown 10 his lee
! ;ure, spoke of the duty of Christians 10 aid
the slave in rcgaiuing the natural rights
which God gave him, and of doing unto the
slave as we would hnvo him do unto Us
/ From the fact that Brown had carried slaves
from Missouri into Canada, and his argu-
ments in favor Of aid to slaves to gain lheil
, liberty, aud that he had no established resi-
dCnce or business, Mr. Giddiucs concluded
Brown would aid slarcs to escape, if oppor
tuuitics cacred. He had no other authort,
+, for this impression than the reasons given
and that was only generally entertained.
MIR. Mason stated that John Brown hac
sud in letter that Mr.. Gddings would en-
dearor to form societies to raise funds, auC
asked an explanation.
! Mr.. Giddings answered that he was unabl,
to say what Brown thought. That John
/ Brown, jr.. called at his house ono morning
and said his father was in want of money
Ho was just starting to deliver a lecture r
Portage County. and the following day hat
agreed to be in Ravenna. where o. T.. Brown
who had been Senator, aud was a man OF
| Influence, lived that he understood a soc
ETY. existed there for charitable purposes
such as assisting fugitive slaves to escape
tha, in his hurry MIR. Giddings mentioned
this fact to John Brown. jr., and said he
would ask 0. =. Brown to assist his father
That owing to lndisposition, ho returned
home, without going to Ravenna, and wa:
therefore, unable 70 fill his promise.
Mr.. Mason desired to know if Mr.. Gid
dings lectures had not direct reference tC
tho institution Of Slavery.
Mr.. Gddings replied thoy all referred to
the fundamental principles of human gov
ernmcnts, TO the mprescriptible right of mar
to the natural law or will of the Creator, as
defined By pubicss and philosophers il
! Christondom for tho last two centuries
| Those teachings assert the right of ever,
human soul to enjoy lie, liberty, and hapPi
ness.
Mr.. Mason inquired If this teaching of tn,
! Higher La" was regarded superior TO human
laws aud the Constitution.
Mr.. Giddings answered, by the imprope
use of terms, wo often contOuud our owl
ideas. He understood the term law to ap
ply only 10 such enactments as accord will
/ DiNiUb Will buul NJ lttIS say III ChdCtl GIi
| invading the natural law is of any mora
validity whatever; that any enactmen
which seeks to take from an innocent humau
being life or liberty, imposes no obligation
on such victim and confers no authorit
upon those who would deprive him of either
that it is not only the right of all men t
treat such enactment as void, but it is tn
duty of every man to hold it up TO dotcstf
ton that our Constitution recognizes thes
doctrines, declaring that TO person shall
deprived OF life, liberty or property, exceI
by due process of law, that is, by indictmer
and conviction before a Court of compoter
jurisdiction, and jury of his peers. Sue
Onactmonts possess no elements Of law, bu
are gross usurpations of dospotic power
not delegated to man-aro criminal IN then
selves aud render those who enact, who ST.;
tam, and who execute them, accessory l
tho crimes committed under them.
Mr., Davis inquired it these doctrines ap
, piled to lunatics and insane persons
Mr.. Giddings said, certainly; they ar
by society secured from committing wrong
upon themselves; secured in their lives, an
, ia all liberty which they can enjoy in saiet
to themselves and others.
MIR. Davis asked if minors have this righ
Mr.. Giddings answored-Certainly the
, are under the protection of parental atfeC
lion until sufficiently developed to judge 70
themselves.