National Debate  
After the speech, southerners rose one by one to heap scorn on the representative from Ohio.
A delegate from Florida adamantly denied that his constituents "were engaged in stealing negroes from the Indians."
A Georgian threatened Giddings with lynch law. Julius Alford,
another Georgian, said that he would sooner spit on Giddings than listen to more of his abolitionist rant.
"If I could wash your blood from my soul as easily as [your] spittle from my face," replied Giddings, "you should not live another day." Alford rushed the Congressman, but at 6'2" and 250-pounds, Giddings was able to stare down his opponent -- this time.
  
Sources:
U.S. Congressional Globe, 26th Cong., 2nd Sess., 158-159, Stewart Joshua R. Giddings "Joshua Giddings" 180-81. Giddings actually made the response to Alford indirectly, by recounting a story in which an unnamed general made the remark to his accuser. Dramatically, the effect was the same as a direct address, judging by Alford's response.
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Part 3, Exile: l |
