Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1910-03-10
JOSHUA r. GIDDINCS
Representative the Ladies
torical Contest livered at M A.c Friday March


awaiting opportunity ITSELF and times de-
udes the people into submission There need then OF
leaders who sound the note OF warning and lear
essly defend the general Such time calls tor the
wsest OF for he only realize the danger calls for
braves for he endure the most scahing criticism;
it calls the unselsh, for he must sink his own
ambition in the calls for the most persistent
for he must surmount all obstacles such tune was the
period between 1888 and Civil war; when the enemy OF
freedom the institution OF slavery the scene OF CONNECT
the National House of Representatives the ardent defender
of liberty, Joshua K. Giddngs
they had left within the nation evil that was to threaten
of the Union Side by side stood tree labor
the institution OF slavery The people OF the North am
mated by deep of Justice had freed themselves from
the and hall content that 1t remain IN the oouh
growing ambitious, the yrant began to claim the tree
North West its rghul territory 1t reduced the slave
the condition OF beast and SEEING the freedman OF the
North him into slavery 1t ried the mails and sup
pressed free speech and free press 1T claimed na the
Constitution guaranteed its continued lie 1t invaded tne
public treasury. 1t demanded the support OF the nation
Representative government was threatened CONNECT was
inevitable.
In 1883 Mr. Gddngs upon the OF action Rear
ed in pioneer settlement OF the West Injured from childhood
TO poverty and hardship his education secured by force OF his
ndon,itabe will he had by mastering all difficulties devel
oped himself that logged persistence which would
die than yield His long and varied law practice had
given him. only the ability to meet all opponents out
deep and boundess sympathy for the oppressed 1T Is SAID
of him. that he fought the OF the pennies Ser more
tubbornv than that wel-todo. Moreover his resolue
moral character kept him always the side OF right mus
he singuary well fitted Tor the long struggle upon Wch
II was most remarkable conflict that he waged against
slavery be remembered that when he entered the
House there was no even division OF forces that many OF
those who represented the North lacked while others
sWayed by political interests that opposed TO te
formidable pro-savery combination, there but two men,
William Sade Vermont enfeebled in health and no longer
able take active part and the venerable patriot OF
esv-one years John Quincy Adams who had devoted his
life to the OF freedom and who spending his ebbng
strength in fighting the right OF petition The South at
first regarded member unworthy OF their notice
angered by his unanswerabe arguments they offered
him insult and abuse heaped upon him the full measure
of their hatred They ostracsed him from the social functions
OF Washnson home only offered HIM friendly wei,
come,-hat of Mr.. Adams y bond OF sympathy born OF
mn con-
stronger until sad day Death invading the legislative
chamber laid It's bighting upon the aged and
da1ned champion of freedom leaving Mr. Giddngs alone
fight with redoubed zeal that the might not suffer from
Yielding to the South technical claim that slavery
institution he stood firmly by the principle the Federal
free from the curse No opportunity to chal
enge the aggression escaped him him, he
stands the floor OF the House. surrounded by the fiery
partsans of slavery who dare him touch their peculiar
institution Unabashed their threats, he boldly attacks
the legality OF the slave trade in the District OF Columbia See
the Seminole War waged the expense OF the Federal
Government for the purpose OF restoring
slaves On another OCCASION he presents resolutions con
demnng the coast-wise slave traffic and be
constitutional This his claim Slavery has protector
outside OF the slave slave upon the high has the
right regain his liberty cost the bondmen the
Creole justified when they in revolt took possession
OF the ship compelled the put into Nassau free terri
tory, and became by this very act free
Behold the establishment and Indignation OF the Southern
members They rush about the hall in ferment OF agitation
They pass resolutions surfing him They prevent him from
speaking i'll his defenseand this in country that boasts
OF free speech What does he do? Taking formal leave of
he by the brilliant and statesman Henry Clay.
The Great COMPROMISED grasps his commends him
for his firm stand in leaving legislative hall that denies free
speech He sends in his resignation and goes home
his constituents. They, aroused hold meetings in every
county OF his district denounce the action OF the House,
elect him without waiting for nomination, and send him
back to Washington armed with fresh authority defend the
cause OF freedom After absence OF but five weeks he
again takes his seat Former lukeWarm friends cordially
greet him. Even the Southern are awed
sembancc OF respect for they have heard the voice OF the
people.
But it only the calm before the storm. Indemnity be-
ing demanded from the government for slaves escaped from
ships wrecked in British waters Mr. Gddings speaks
enphatcal against paying the claim He asks if members
OF this Congress wish 60 record voting support
slavery For his part he says, he would rather be unknown
to poster than 70 bear the disgrace OF such
no human being has he moral right ensave another
the close o his speech Southern member, boVie-knic
hand advances upon him Uninchingly Mr. Giddings
ll ard says no gentleman will wantonly insut another
turn YOU over 90 public contempt incapable OF insulting
honorable man
The supreme effort Of his career however in lS4s