giddings1.html

Joshua Giddings to Joseph Addison Giddings,

April 28, 1844

Page 1

April 28, 1844

My Dear Boy,

The political news is important. You

see Mr. Clays letter in the Intelligencer of yesterday morning. He

is flat footed against annexation, but evening the

Globe published Mr. V Burens expose. He regards annexation

as Constitutional, But for the sake of consistency thinks it ought

not to be admitted while at war with Mexico but leaves

that question to the people to be decided at the Coming

election and making that issue the great and paramount

issue at the Nov Contest. This is as it should be. And

the only fear I now have is will the Whigs march up

unflinchingly to that question. For it is the great

question of slavery or liberty. Will we extend slavery or will

we promote liberty & freedom. To give the South the preponder-

ance of political power would be itself a surrender of our Tariff, our harbor

improvements, our distribution of the proceeds of the public

lands in that it would be a transfer of our political fare

to the slave holders. and a base and degrading surrender

of ourselves to the power & protection of slavery. It is the

most abominable proposition with which a free people

were ever insulted. I may send you some papers on that

subject if you will take special care to preserve them until

my return. We begin to breathe a little freer here since

Mr. Clay & Mr. VB came out. We not think it will not

be annexed this session. or until the people shall have

an opportunity to speak. I herewith send you the money