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1 A. G. Riddle, Speech of the Hon. A. G. Riddle, of Ohio, on the Bill to Abolish Slavery in the District of Columbia 1 (1862)

handle is hein.slavery/agrohabslvdc0001 and id is 1 raw text is: HON. SP EECGH OF THE ON T1EB BILL TO ABOLISH SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, Delivel ,(e in t1H Iouse of Re Ae ntives, Arillth, 1862. Mr. RIDDLE. Mr. Chairman, a great truth is weakened by what men call elucida- tion. Illustration obscureg it; logic and ar- gament compromise it; and demonstration brings it to doubt. He who permits himself to be put on its defensive, is a weak man or a coward. A great truth is nevwr so strong as when left to stand on its simple assertion. The Ihing right forever remains right, under all possible circumstanoes and couditlor; in all times, place3; and seasons. Nor can it be changed at all. Not all power, n.c- the com- bination of all power, no matter-how em. ployed or applied, can change it in the least. It matters not at all how men call it-_-thbugh the unanimous world co nspire to pall it 111, and tag it out; with all vile epithets; though all obscene mouths make it common, and lewd tongues toss it into sewers, and delicate and refined ears may not heasr it-it is nowise changed. No matter what ill happens to it; though cast out, exiled, banished,, and out- lawed, marked and forever banned, made leprous with contumely and reproach; though prisoned, tried, condemned, and executed, and its body, like carrion, cast to vultures, it still lives, is still right;, holds its c!14 place and old scepter. Nor can any man, by any pow- er, under any circumstances, ir anything, be absolved from .the allegiance he owes it. So, too, ifs great topposite, wrong, must forever bewrong, and not right. Yel mat-, ter, though taken from its native h be, and enthroned a crowned king; though a uni- verse bow to it, and cry all hail I ', though constitutions be written to sustainit; though laws be enacted in its name, and ermined judges wrench the maxims of, Ywisdom's gray fathers for its support; though Jurors be sworn by it, and all magistrates bosmd to enforce its decrees; .though its name be writ- ten in all holy plaice,, and graved on all shrines, and its maxims mingled in the rites 1 ioly, ministration, and its sanctified hands only can blesq and curse, join and put asun- der; though it reign till hoary prescription r_, u'Ir u o ernd surrounds it with a wall of custom and, hAbit and use, that existed time whereof the memory of man runneth not to the contrary; still it is wrong, and not rightj Its reign isan usurpation, its laws an outrage, against which rebellion is righteous; and the immunities and privileges which it confets are the fruits of robbery, murder, and ravishment. No man can rightfully do a wrong; nor can one man authorize another to do the wrong; nor can ten, five hundred, or five hundred thousand men. No matter with what formality or solemnity the power is sought to be conferred, whether by common coneent, or by the legislative forms of a State er nation, the power of attorney is, invalid, and the thing done pursuant to its scope is a crime. A thousand years of growth cannot change wrong to right. The proposition which I am to consider Esserts a great truth, broadly and clearly. I will listen to no argument against it, nor will I. detract from its force by being put upon its defence. This measure is indeed worthy of an &mer- ican Congress. Lbok through our huge tumid volumes of statutes, and mark on every page our everlasting legislation for the ma- terial interests of property, and not a soli- tary enactment for truth, humanity, and jus- tice. Everything astute and shrewd and sa. gacious, to foster, cherish, and build up the ,privileges and interests of those strong enough in the absence of law to protect themselves; and not a single section or clause to lift the crushing weight of two hundred years of ,killing oppression from the weakest and

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