SPEECH OF HON. P. HITCHCOCK OF GEAUGA, ON THE “BILL TO PREVENT GIVING- AID TO FUGITIVE SLAVES.” Mr. Speaker : The question involved in the proposition we are considering, is one which attracts the attention and interests the constituency I have the honor of representing on this floor to such an extent that I trust the House will excuse me for occupying its attention longer than is my wont upon subjects ordinarily before us for our consideration. Especially is there greater freedom in throwing myself upon the indulgence of the House, from the fact that it has not been done by me before upon subjects of the nature of that contained in the proposition before us, since my connection with the present General Assembly. Constantly and persistenly has the “irrepressible” been thrown in our faces, and we have been taunted with “ abolitionism,” “ one ideaism,” desire for amalgamation,” “ love of the negro,” and a sickly sentimentality generally—that we were, in effect, disunionists, uniting with extremists of the South, and urging the country onward to destruction. Soon after the opening of the session, resolutions passed the General Assembly—in the Senate unanimously, and in the House very nearly so—giving expression to the sentiment of the State upon questions which now agitate the country, and declaring that we will discharge our own and every constitutional duty; at the same time, that we call upon our sister States to return too and discharge their duty. On the instant,
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