Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-05-01
Mr.. Riddle upon Emancipation.

was passed, yeas 81, nays 20.
Mr.. Riddle upon Emancipation.
ED1ToRs LHADER: You have already pub
IIshed the entire speech of our Representative,
Mr.. Riddle, on the bill for the emancipation
in the District of Columbia.
There is one passage in that eloquent and
manly vindicstion of right against wrong
which ought to be re.published. 1t is that
part of the speech in which he asserts the
immutability and everlasting supremacy OF
truth, and the unchAnging identity Of its OPP
posite-wrong. The passage is worthy the
ueu of Chalmers or Charming, and does
great credit to the head and heart of the
author. It ought to be published in every
Iournsl in the country, as an evidence that
We have some men in Congress who ara not
afraid to publicly recognize the fact that this
is Gods world, and that he has established
immutable distinctions between right and
wrong which are absolute in their authority
over us. Mr.. Greeley, of the Tribune, con-
tributes an article every week for that popu-
lar religious journal, the Independent In
his article for last week, upon "Liberty and
Slavery in the District of Columbia" he
quoted the extract of which speak, with the
following comments
ain the debate on this measure Of justice
and true peace, many things were iorcioly
/ said on both sides, but nothing more to the
/ point than brief speech in the House at the
close of the debate by Ar. Riddle, a young
member from Northern Ohio. Hearken to
its noble and inspiring eEOrdium,
HSuch language sounds strangely from a
member of Congress. We rub our specta-
cles to see that there is no mistake-that
this is merely the utterance of politician,
and not of some old Christian martyr, some
wild fanatic lodging rotten eggs and brick
bats as he blurts out incendisry sugg, stions
that NO man has right TO horsewhip and
sell suother's blameless wife and children.
But such sentiments are contagious. They
readily infect TIE minds of weak young per-
sons, who do not naturally accept the twad-
die so remonstrative that it is generally
wrong, and always dangerous to do what is
sbstrsctly, absolutely, fundamentally right"
WWhoever lives to listen to the debates Of
the Congress of 1879 will note q decided in
crease in the number and boldness of the
/ afanatics" who have seats therein, and many
of them will talk as directly to the point as
does Mr.. Riddle to-day.
The cause of freedom on the floor of Con-
eress has suffered mach for the want Of
ethical interpreters for the want Of men
to urge its claims on the ground of principle,
rather than expedience. Mr. Riddle puts it
upon the right basis, and is one of its wisest
and truest advocates.
If you can find room for the extract you
viii Oblige B.
TExTRLoT.
Mr.. Chairman, great truth is weakened
by what is called elucidatiOn. Illustration
obscures it; and demonstration brings it to
doubt. he who permits himself to be put
on its defensive, is q weak man or 8 coward.
A great truth is never SC strong as when
left to stand on its simple assertion. The
thing right forever remains right, under all
possible circumstances and conditions; in all
times. places, and seasons. Nor can it be
changed at all. Not all po aer, nor the com.
biustion of all power, no matter how en-
ployed or applied, can change it In the least
Il matters not at all hOA men call it-thOugh
the unanimous world conspire to call 1t III,
and tag il out with all vile epithets; though
ell obsoene mouths make 1t common and
leWd tongues toss il into sewers, and delicate
and refined ears may not hear it-it is no
wise changed. Nc matter What happens to II;
though cast out, exiled, banished, and out
lswed, marked and forever banned, made
leurous with contumsly and reproach, though
prison tried, condemned and executed, and
its body, like carrion, cast to the vultures, it
still lives, is still right; holds its old place
and old scepter. Nor can any man by any
power, under any circumstances, for any
thing, be absolved from the allegiance be owes
it.
So. too, it's great opposite, wrong, must for
ever be wrong, and not right. No matter,
though taken from its native hill and en-
throned g crowned king; though a universe
bow to it, and cry 'sll haill" though con-
stitutions be written 70 sustain 1t; though
laws be- enacted in its name, and ermined
iudqes wrench the maxims OF "wisdom's
rray fathers for its support; though jurors
be sworn by It, and all magistrates bound to
enforce its DEGREES; though its name be writ
ten in all holy places, and graved on all
sbrines. and its maxims mingled in the
rites OF holy ministration, and its sanctided
| hands only can bless and curse, join and
put assunder; though it reign till hory pos
eription grows up and surrounds 1t with
vail Of custom and habit and use, that eX-
listed Htime whereof the memory of mnn rum
netb not to the contrary" still it Is wrong,
and not right It's reign is An usurpatiOn,
ia laws an outrage, against which rebellion
is righteous; and the immunities and priv
ilepes which it confers are the fruits of rob
beFv. murder, and ravishment.
No man can rightfully DO wrong; nor
can one man authorize another to do the
wrong nor can ten, five hundred, or FIVE
! bnndPed thousand men. No matter with
, what formality or solemnity the power is
sought 10 be conferred, whether by common
couSeut or by the Legislative forms OF State
or nation. the power Of attorney is invalid,
and the thing done pursuant to it's scope is q
3 crime. A thousand years Of growth cannot
change wrong to right. TIE proposition
, which | am to consider asserts g great truth,
broadly and clearly. / will listen to no AZ
: gument against Il, nor will / detract fr0m
{ is force BY being put upon its defense.
{ This measure is indeed worthy Of an