The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1862-05-09
Extract from ti.c speech OF the
Hon. Mr. Riddle on the Dis
trict Enauc ipaiIon BiIl.

trict EnaItc ipaiIOn Biil.
"Mr. Chairman,u II great truth is weak
encd by what men call emcidation. IL
'ustration obscures il; logic aud argument
compromise it; and demon s,ration brinrs
it to doubt. He who permits himself to
be put on its defensive, is a weak man CT
n coward.
-, great truth is never so strong as
when left to stand on its simple assertion.
The thing right forever remains right, un-
der all possible circumstances and condi.
tons; in all times, places, and Seasons
Nor can it lo changed at all. Not all
power, nor the combination Of all power,
no matter how employed or applied, can
chinge il in the least.
at matters not at all how men call il
+ though the unanimous world conspirc
to call it i'll, and tag il cut with all vile
cpithcts; though all tho obscene mouths
make II common, aud lcwd tongues toss
= it into sewers, and delicate and refined
ears may not hear tit is in nowise
vh"nSvr' rV n"ttrr whui III naupIn ns -
| it; though cast out, exi.cd, banishCd, and
outlawed, marked and forever banned,
made lcprous with contumely and reproach
though prison-tricd, condemned, and tx
ccutcd, and its body, like carrion, cast TO
vuturcs :, 1t still lives, is still right; holds
its old place and old ccl tir. Nor can any
man, by any power, under any circum-
stances, for anything, be absolvcd from
the allegiance he owes it.
$50 too, its great opposite, wrong, must
for ever be wrong, and not right. No
matter, though taken from its native hill
and cnthroncd crowned king; though a
universe bow to il, ard cry 'All IIuil'l
though constitutions be written to sustain
ii; though laws enacted in its name .,and
, ermined judges wrench the maxims of
'wisdom's gray fathers for its support;
though jurors be sworn by il, and all
magistrate, bound TO enforce its decreos;
though its name be written in all holy
places, and gravcd on all shrincs, and lis
maxims mingled in the rites of holy min
istration, and It's sanctiied hands only can
bless and curse, join aud put asunder:
though il reign till ho0ry prescription
grows up and surrounds it with wall of
custom and habit and use, that existed
time whereof the memory of man rum, tn
not to the contr ry;' still il is wrong, md
not right. Its reign is usurpation, its
laws an outrage, against which rebellion
is righteous; and the immunties and
privileges which il conlcrs are the fruits
of ROBBERY, murder, and raylshmcnt.
mo man can rightrully DO a wrong;
nor can one man authorize another to do !
the wrong; nor can any five hundred |
or hye thousand men. No matter with |
what iormality or solemnity the power il
sought to be conferred, whether by com
mon consent, or by the legislative orms.of
a state or nation, the power of attorney
is invalid, and the thing done pursuant 10
its scope Is crime. A thousand years of
growth cannot change wrong to right.
"Thc proposition which | an to con-
slider asserts great truth, broadly and
clearly. | will listen TO no argument
agains; il, nor wiil ] detrnct from its force
by being pu: upon It's defense.
"This measure is indeed worthy of an
American Congress. Look through our
huge, tumid volumes ofstatutcs, aud mark
on every page our everlasting legislation
for the mate rial interests of propC rty, and
not solitary enactment for truth, humani-
ty, aud justice. Everything asiute and
shrewd and gaciCus, To foster, cherish,
and build up the privileges and interests
OF those strong enough, in the absence Of
Inv, TO protect themselves; and not
single SECTION or cluuse to lift the crush
ing weight Of two hundred years of kill
ing oppression ircm the weakest and
poorest elements Of humanity, our sub
Jects though they are. Nay, that very
poverty and weakness are the sole pre-
texts for the wrong and oppression. We
have now before us bill that proposes
directly to de.hrone and annihilate huge
hoarry wrong, and recall aud re-enthrone
the banished right.
"With me to argue, declaim or inyeigh
against this measure, is the idlest waste
OF the most useless breath that indolent
trifiing can indulge in. | turn to the
great rules of right, and l see that you
have razed out the decalogue of Omnipo-
tence, and have daubed aud smeared over
the eternal adamant with the code Of sla-
very and know that it is all huge lie.
without sembiance or seeming of truth"