New-York daily tribune., 1849-02-19
Gen. Wilson's speech on slavery In the Ter.
ritories, &c.
OF lhe Irioune-
WARRINGTON. Friday, Feb. IL

ceremony. / apprehend their day is nearly over
for this session. though effort viii be made for
them tomorrow.
The Postage Reduction bill was very nearly got
up, falling only By sc votes to 90. But there was
paramount desire to see the end OF the Appro-
priston bills if possible the Mexican Indemnity
bill was preiered-Mr. CABELL Of Florida being
10 the Chair.
Mr. RooT Of Ohio inquired il the Chairman Of the
Ways and Means intended TO stise debate and
crowd this bill through be had the other Appro-
priation bills. He thought it was high time the
House was allowed some chance for deiberation
and discussion.
Mr. VIsros replied that be had felt constrained
70 press forward the main Appropriation bills so
rapidly in view Of the great amount Of public busi-
ness behind and the near approach o; the 4th OF
March Beside gentlemen could all bear witness
that the Appropriation bills had not been dis
cussed when there uas opportunity-that all the
Speeches made upon them had almost exclusive
reference to Slavery, the New Territories, &c
without touching the bills nominally under consid-
Grafton. In point Of fact, the discussion OF these
bills had uniformly begun exactly when and
where the House ordered ito terminate. But, as
this bill might fairly be considered as involving
Territorial considerations, he woud propose to
terminate the debate at O'Clock uext Wednes-
day, within nine working days Of the close Of the
SESSION.
heard this concession with profound sadness
To discuss this Indemnity bill till "Wednesday
| is 10 ondanger the Postage Reform and destroy
the last hope of-extending the blessings Of legiti-
mate government to the New Territories at this
session. 1t is grave mistake and trust its ei-
fects will yet be obviated either by devoting n
good part of each day TO other business or by clos
ing the debate before Wednesday.
Mr.. RooTs eccentricities may give mepain but
no longer surprise. No man was more yoclferous
than he, one little month ago, for making the Ter
ritorsl bills a Special Order, and for the earliest
possible day. 1t was he who declared that no
other bill should be made Special Order until
these had been And now he clsmors for pro
tracted debate an appropriation which must
pass any how-which may come back TO us from
the Senate as an amendment TO the Civil and
Diplomatic BILL and on which not one speech Will
be made which would not be more pertinent on
the Territorial bills. He was all wrong not long
since, or he is wrong now.
- But the Mexican Indemnity bill was taken
up in Committee and Mr.. STARKwEATHER Of N.
Y (Barnburner Of Otsego Col who got the floor
first, made a strong, sensible speech against the
Extension of Slavery There was DO orstorical
grace about it, but it was speech that will read
well and wear well
To Gen JAMES WILSON OF N. H. was next con-
ceded the floor, among the dozens who jumped for
il as the Chairmans hammer knocked down Mr..
g. in full career. And such a speech as Wilsongave
as is not heard once Congress in cit her House
II was energetic, eloquent thrilling, electriiying
| never saw the House so stirred up by speech
devoid of personal application. BY few bold and
rapid strokes he set Free and Slave Labor fairly
and vividly before us-showed that in Free State
Labor is the native condition to WHICH are all
born and which only very few can escape-tbat
Labor has there on its side Self.Respect Hope,
and Consciousness Of Power-that the woes of the
most abiect are rghtened by the knowledge that
their children may very probably ranI, with the
most eminent and atiluent in the land that Labor
cannot be deeply degraded while the aborer feels
that his vote can neutrazc that OF the proudest
aud wealthest. Common Schools, and the children
of the poorest returning from them with testimo-
nials OF merit won in fair competition with the
children of the greatest and richie all the char
acteristics OF a land Of Free Labor, gowed in the
eloquent appeal Of Gen. Wilson
Turning thence to contemplate land cursed
by Slavery he showed that holseessness Is the
very first element of the social condition Of its
laboring class The Slave must never feel that he
can be ANYTHING but Slave He must never
hope that his children will enjoy the fruits Of his
labors, nor even of their own. AL he is, all he
does belong to another, his wife his children, are
anothers. What can be expected of him but
sloth stupidity and eye service How can
country selicursed by such system be expected
to flourish Look all around you upon land
blighted by Slavery and Slave labor Go out OF
this city in any direction, and see how the earth
lies barren and desolate beueauh the footstep OF
the Slave. Compare the meaus Of moral, mental,
and religious improvement In Free and Slave
States-how striking the contrast And shall we,
the Representatives OF FreemaD, permit the New
Territory just added to our country TO be blasted
with such a system as Slavery Dare we do 1t
For one, said Gen. w will hear OF no arrange
msnts, will listen to no compro misses. which sur.
render to Slavery one inch of soil on which IT is
one milionth part of inch for any consideration
whatever. Talk not to me OF the horrors OF dis
union,-l will not consent to extend Slavery to
save the Earth from destruction. the Universe II
self from dissolution. Above sllpaties, all policy
all dangers even, stand for the preservation OF
Free Soil aud Freedom.
Such are but few OF the points embodied in
this magnificent Speech. 1t has already had
pow eru effect here-it is destined to have ike
effect everywhere. saw men who but one hour
before had been despondng, shrinking, shivering-
wanting to put over over the Territorial question
afraid to come to vote upon it--who upon hear
ing this speech, cast fears TO the winds and were
anxious TO come TO a direct vote as early as poss
bic. hope next week will see the Territorial
bills under discussion, but nothing is certain with
regard to the progress OF business IN the House.
MIR. BEDISGER Of Va next got the floor, and
made a speech very unlike Gen. Wilson's in
every respect He thought Slavery a very good
thing, did Mr. Bedinger. The South was very
well off with it, or If not it was sl owing to the