The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-18

session of Congress, stop the wheels Of govern
ment, nd then where is the Union2 Gentlemen,
the path OF duty and safety is plain; let US try 20
cultivate good feelingslet us forbear angry con-
troversy-let US thiRk and talk on topics which
shall not excite i'll blood Nobody denies the legal
right of discussion, but il is the part of wisdom to
forbear the exercise of legal rights, when no good
can be. accomplished by such exercise. Suppose
that man and his wife, bound together in the
most sacred of all unions, would each have right
creed, in which they might sincerely difier-but
let them exercise this night every morning at the
breakfast table, until they become excited and
angry, and how long do you think their union
would be worth preserving! Our united govern
ment, gentlemen, is just in the high career OF its
| usefulness. Its blessings have been extended, not
only TO the native Inhabitants of our own land, but
| 10 hundreds of thousands who have sought its
protection from foreign countries, and found here
| prosperous and happy homes Now, it has ex-
tended itself to the Pacific ocean, and the Genius
Of American liberty, looking to Asia, invites her
teemiDg millions TO come and parake OF the fruits
| of the government established by her. Shall the
| Union be broken up now trust not; and,
therefore. let US resist the first dawnings of
| every attempt 10 destroy 1t. But and here
lies the cause OF STRIFE, the great stumbling
block in the way Of harmony it is said
we have three millions Of slaves. True, we have.
scendants Of Africa held in bondage. Africa is one
of the oldest nations of the earth She has had
her opportunity of improvem ent and progress equal
10 any other nation. Since the commencement OF
the Christian era, what advancement has she
made Where on earth are there, at this mo
ment, three millions Of her sons as well provided
for, as far advanced in the arts of civilized life,
and in knowledge of the true religion, as the three
millions of slaves in the United States of America!
Yet, gentlemen, am no justifier, no apologist OF
slavery-far otherwise. But have we not good
reason to believe that the African, BY mysterious
dispensation of Divine Providence, is to be in
structed in the great art of human government
here, and hence to return to his own country,
and instruct her in civilization and Christianity
un uAu 10 Vvpov ha hnfu IN la nh
State of the Union manage the institution OF slave
ny in its own way. Let these States alone; we
greatly err if we suppose that there are not good
men-men influenced by the epirit of Christianity
in these States Let the m alone-be patient-there
are causes at work, the influence of which will
prove irresistible, which cannot tail to bring about
important results, without bloodshed, without in
curing the great peril OF dissolving the Union;
The public opinion of mankiad-the increased
facilities of int recourse by railroads and canals
the superiority Of free labor to slave labor, are
among these causes-let them work, and have
not the slightest doubt that Africa, not less than
Europe and Asia, will have cause to rejoice in
the united government of this country Allow
me, IN conclusion, to say word or two in re-
specific the position occupied by the committee I'M
der whose supervision the festivities of this day
have been prepared. The motives which influence
the action of this committee have been criticised,
and violently assaed. This was to be expected.
The duty with which this committee is charged is
to carry out, by correspondents and otherwise, the
great objects Of the meeting held In this city on the
Goth Of October last, which are declared to be to
revive and foster among the whole people of the
United States, the spirit In which the Union was
formed, and the constitution was adopted and to re-
slst every attempt to ALLEVIATE any portion of our coun
try from the rest enfe eble the sacred ties which
now link together the various parts" The commit
tee has IN no instance departed from the line OF duty
thus clearly defned that course it means to pursue
strictly in future. II is not our business so much to
argue points OF difference, asst is TO awaken national
feeling to bring citizens Of opposing viewsto act to-
eether as Americans II We are able TO execute our
own Intentions, we shall stand on national ground.
We are charged with being Influenced by inte-
rested motives, and this brings me briefly to notice
the character and objects Of the business communi-
ty in the city of New York, composing, as II does,
The business men Of New York are virtually fac
tors, or agents-ther principals, or constituents,
are scattered all the country, and compose no
uncomfortable part Of the whole effective popula-
ton of the country They represent the farmer
who grows the wheat, the corn, &c, and those
who manufacture these aruces; also the sell ers,
purchasers and consumers OF the same. SO OF cot
ton, timber, live stock, Nc Nc Now, | suppose
everybody knows the fact and rejoces that it so,
that interest prompts the North 10 trade with the
South, and the East and West and, on the 9th er
hand, II is the interest OF the south 10 trade with
these various sections. Nobody can doubt that IT
the Union is in danger, the business interest Of the
country is the first to dread the threatened disaster.
The men who represent the business Interests OF the
country are those who would naturally hrst give
the alarm in such an emergency. Their interest is
10 preserve the Union; equally Is II the interes, OF
the vast multitude they represent. In the farewell
address OF Washington, he did not deem an appeal
to the Interests of his countrymen unworthy OF him.
He rays
But these considerations, however powerfully
they address themselves to your senslbility, are
greatly outweIghed by those which apply more inn
medately to your interest. Here every portion of
our country finds the most commanding motives tor
areully guarding and preserving the union OF the
whole.
"The North, in an unrestrainei in,ere curse
with the South, protected by the equal laws OF
common government, hnds, in the productions Of
the latter, great additional resources OF maritime
and commercial enterprise, and precious materials
OF manufs cturing industry. The South, in the same
intercourse, benehttiIg by the same agency OF the
North, sees ite agriculture grow, aud its commerce
expand. Turning partly into its own channels the
seomen Of he North, IL finds IT. particular navl-
cation invigorated; and, while II contributes In
different ways to nourisb aud increase the general
mass OF the national navigation, II looks forward
10 the protection of maritime strength, to which
itself IL unequally adapted The East, ia like in
tercourse with the West, already fiads IN the pro-
gressive Improvement Of interior communications
by lard ard water, and will more and more find a
valuable vent for the commodities which il brings
from abroad, or manufactures at home. The
West derives from the East supplies requisite 10
it, growth and comfor-and what is perhaps OF
still greater consequence, IL must OF necessity
owe the secure enjoyment Of indispe able
outlets for its own productions, TO the weight,
influence, and the future maritime strength OF the
Atlantic side Of the Union, direc.ed ny an indsso-
luble community Of interest as one nation. Any
other tenure by which the West can hold this
essential advantage, whether derived from its
own separate strength, or from apostate and
unnatural connection with any foreign power,
must be intrinsIcaly precanous.
"While, therefore, every part OF our country thus
feels an immediate and particular interest ia union,
all the parts combined csnno, fail to ind In the
united mass of means and efforts, greater strength,
greater resources, proportionaby greater security
from external danger less frequent interruption of
their peace by foreign nations, and what u OF ines
Unable value, they must derive from union an ex-
emption from those broils and wars between them
selves which so frequently aillict ne'ghborng
tries, not tied together by the came government,
which their own valship alone would be sufficient
TO produce but which opposite foreign alliances, at
tachments and intrigues. would stimulate and en-
bitter. Hence, likewise. they will avoid the
cefsity Of those overgrown military establishments,
which, under any form OF government, are inausp-
cious TO liberty, end which are to be regarded as
particularly hostile TO republican liberty. la this