To make a law final, so as not to be reached by Congress, is, by mere legislation, to fasten a new provision on the Constitution.  Nay, more; it gives to the law a character which the very Constitution does not possess.  The wise Fathers did not treat the country as a Chinese foot, never to grow after infancy; but, anticipating progress, they declared expressly that their great Act is not final.  According to the Constitution itself, there is not one of its existing provisions—­not even that with regard to fugitives from labor—­which may not at all times be reached by amendment, and thus be drawn into debate.  This is rational and just.  Sir, nothing from man’s hands, nor law, nor constitution, can be final.  Truth alone is final.

Inconsistent and absurd, this effort is tyrannical also.  The responsibility for the recent Slave Act, and for slavery everywhere within the jurisdiction of Congress, necessarily involves the right to discuss them.  To separate these is impossible.  Like the twenty-fifth rule of the House of Representatives against petitions on Slavery,—­now repealed and dishonored,—­the Compromise, as explained and urged, is a curtailment of the actual powers of legislation, and a perpetual denial of the indisputable principle, that the right to deliberate is coextensive with the responsibility for an act.  To sustain Slavery it is now proposed to trample on free speech.  In any country this would be grievous; but here, where the Constitution expressly provides against abridging freedom of speech, it is a special outrage.  In vain do we condemn the despotisms of Europe, while we borrow the rigors with which they repress Liberty, and guard their own uncertain power.  For myself, in no factious spirit, but solemnly and in loyalty to the Constitution, as a Senator of the United States, representing a free Commonwealth, I protest against this wrong.

On Slavery, as on every other subject, I claim the right to be heard.  That right I cannot, I will not abandon.  “Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties”; these are glowing words, flashed from the soul of John Milton in his struggles with English tyranny.  With equal fervor they could be echoed now by every American not already a slave.

But, Sir, this effort is impotent as tyrannical.  Convictions of the heart cannot be repressed.  Utterances of conscience must be heard.  They break forth with irrepressible might.  As well attempt to check the tides of ocean, the currents of the Mississippi, or the rushing waters of Niagara.  The discussion of Slavery will proceed, wherever two or three are gathered together,—­by the fireside, on the highway, at the public meeting, in the church.  The movement against Slavery is from the Everlasting Arm.  Even now it is gathering its forces, soon to be confessed everywhere.  It may not be felt yet in the high places of office and power, but all who can put their ears humbly to the ground will hear and comprehend its incessant and advancing tread.