Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-04-02
Interesting Historical Fact.

Understanding or man. 20
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Interesting Historical Fact.
/ Joshua r. Giddings communicates to
the New York IadepeadeIst a very interest
ing historical fact, showing how and when
the discussion of the question of property
in man arose. And those of our readers
who have been wont to look upon the
j venerable Elisha Whittlesey as .toggish in
his principles involving the anti-slayery
issues, viii be surprised to learn that he,
! in congress, in 1898, was the leader of
those who denied the slave as property.
Mr.. Whittlesey held tie same views upon
that question as have teen advocated by
| 3lr. Ewing. Those extreme anti-slayery
men who have faDcied the idea that per-
I son cannet be propertyzis an original idea
with them, can see how easy il IS to be
mistaken:
/ Mr.. Giddings, in his article, says that in
| 1923 discussion upon that question was
brought on in the House; and but once
before had it been presented, when, with
I great unanimity. the principle that slaves
are property WAS rejected. The case IN
'2S arose thus: lin the war in 1914
horse, cart and slave of Msrigny D'Auter-
i've were impressed at New Orleans, tho
I cart destroyed, the horse killed, and the
slave wounded. A claim was presented
] to Congress; the committee reported in
favor OF paying for the horse and cart,
but as TO the slave said 'the Government
had not regarded slaves as property, nor
paid for them when lost in the public
service When the bill came up an
amendment was offered granting eompen-
satiOn for the slave. e-f
Mr.. Whittlesey, Of Ohio, member of
the committee on claims, had reported
the bill, and he was now expected to de
fend 1t and vindieate the action of the
committee. lie was lawyer of reputa-
ton, man OF facts and figures, rather
than arhetoritician. His indomitable in
dustry gave him no small influence, par
I ticularly in the department. of private
claims. Possessing great integrity of
character, he was at all times unassuming
and had never aspired to the position Of
a speaking member" But with him
duty was imperitive, and he did not hesi-
tate to meet the distinguished gentleman
who moved the amendment. He spoke
Ike lawyer who had prepared his case
for the hearing. avoiding al reference
to fundamental principles, he applied
himself to the La1g of the case. He gave
a suecinct history of every claim for the
loss of slaves that had come before the
committee of claims since the adoption
of the Constitution. He cited every re-
port that had been made, either in print
or in manuscript, and showed that one m
deviating rule had governed them al. and
that was constant rejection Of every
similar claim. lie vert further back.
and showed that during the Revolution,
although many slaves were. lost in the
public service, none had been paid for
The question had only once been present.
ed to the House of Representative. In
1916, when passing a bill to idennifv per-
sons for property lost in the public service.
a gentleman from South Carolina moved
an amendment authorizing payment for
slaves, but the proposition waa rejected
By an overwhelming majority.
1t was now clearly seen that serious
work was before The House. But Mr..
Whittlesey wac sustained BY Mr.. MeCov,
4 slaveholdersof Virginia, also a fynenber
of the committee, the only man who
spoke against the amendment ATTEMPTED
in Isis. twas also known that Bfr. VIII
Gams OF North Carolina, man of great
experience, and chairman OF the commit
tee, coDcurred in the report. These cir
cunlstances added much weight 10 the an
gument of BIZ. WLittlesey.
The Shareholders, with the above excep-
tons argued that slaves were property.
and the debate continued with great
warmth for two weeks. The ablsst men
Of the nation engaged in it. The most
breathless attention was bestowed on
every speaker. profound interest and
even deep solemnity rested ON every coun-
tenance, when suddenly John RandolnIl
Of Virginia Sprang to the floor. His efem-
mate voice, now raised to its utmost vol
ume. rang shrilly through the hall. and
pointing his long finger toward the speak
er he exclaimed. Lsc Ia scrspiz est, the
point Of law Is settled. and you NAV cant
on it TO the end Of the chapter. We do
not depend ON your views of humanity
or religion; and when You denY that slaves
are our property. we shall not be found in
this hall, we shall be found at home. arith
arms IL Oa1 kaads''" He proceeded to Iect-
ure Southern members for eon=enting to
argue the question, and declared II to lie
their true policy TO hold no controversy
on the subject. This policy was. support
cd by other members, who proclaimed
the solemn determination of the entire
South not to permit this question to he
discussed. Perhaps no incident better IL
lustrates the madness of the hour" than
the solemn assurance by Mr. Drayton of
South Carolina, that when This question
should be agitated. the slave States would
consider he rqH,sef ke Upioa' The
vote was taken on the amendment and
it carried by three votes, and the bill
went to its engrossment, coming up the
next day for final passage. Z The debate
was renewed, and Northern member
moved the recommitment of the bill to
the committee, in order to strike out the
amendment. That motion carried, anl
the claim for that slave was no more heard.