The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-27


and country. His speech in brief we quote
whose editors we owe our thanks.
SPEECH or Mr. SPENCER.
The occasion, Mr.. Mayor, u one suggestive oil
feelings Of pride. The Chief Magistrate OF this
great and GLORIOUS Union. himself an honored son
OF our State after passing through the length and
breadth Of noble State, has arrived at our CEN
trail cityfor claim that distinction, in spite Of
the ambition of sister city further west.
The guest Of our city became President at time
when the sigma of the times were portentous, and
apprehension filled every rejecting mind A few
| months only have passed since he took the oath Of
office to execute faithfully the laws of the land and
called about him his constitutional advisers, and
submit it TO my friends (and there are many of the
opposite party presently whether, on the frat con-
| struction of his Cabinet, the country was not
| satisfied that wisdom and prudence would char
| acterize their action. At once the public mind
| settled down into state of quiet, and a feel
ing Of security, that added vastly to the amount
of public happiness which pervaded the country.
II is useless now to debate the question whether
the measures adopted by them were the best that
| could be adopted. II is enough to know that the
public mind il composed; that our commerce flows
on in its proper and accustomed channels and that
the intercourse between the States Is friendly.
May we not hope that bcnceforh we may be bound
together with friendly attachment too strong to
be broken by any one or any number OF States!
To my mind it is strange that person living in
Union of these States could be broken without the
| most disastrous consequences.
We realize so little of the Government of the
United States that we hardly know that VIC have
any Government. Our own internal and domestic
concerns are superintended by the State govern
mcnt. Our proper commerce receives the care OF
the State Justice ia administered by our own ju-
dicatories. We love the of obligation to the
State and look forward confidently to content and
happiness under existing institutions.
When extend our view and see how much
security we enjoy, especially under the existing
conduct of the Post Office Department, and in
lation to commerce, may appreciate in some
degree the importance Of the Government.
Where ia the man who, once year, or once in ten
years, realizes that he lives under government?
foreigner Of intelligence, has travelled much
in Europe, landed once in New York, and passed
from place TO another till he came to Saratoga
He then expressed wonder that he had seen no
his path--no police had accosted him; he had been
subject to frequent and annoying official inspec
ton. His opinion was that Of any intelligent Eu-
ropean who had travelled much; SO perfectly do we
enjoy our liberty under the combined government
of the State and the United States.
ls this not the happiest Government on the enrthj
allowing each to do as he pleases, securing him
from tho Entertainments of others, and only re-
curing that he shall not encroach upon the rights
Of his neighbors? Without it, would be the
worst Government on the face of the earth. How
long could we exist were each State separate and
independent government, having the war making
wish now TO add one single word to these gene
raj remarks as worthy Of the consideration of
northern men; the thought was suggested by the
Secretary OF the Navy, a few moments since. 1t Is
in reference to the duty tho North owes, not to the
southern States in particular, but to the Union. IT,
instead of denunciation the utterance OF fanati-
cal notions, We attempt to find how we may bcst
get rid of slavery shall be subscribing the inter-
ess of the country better than has been done since
1885.
Since that year evil after evil has rolled down
upon us, and out Of the whole agitation there has
scarcely grown a single statesmanlike suggestion.
In my Judgment it is utterly impossible TO termi-
nate slavery suddenly. We must wait the work.
ings of all-wise Providence, instead of wishing
TO do in year, or few years, as much as the
Great Creator Of the universe would allot the
work of ages Nations cannot be changed in a
moment. Slavery is inwrought into our life, and
northern men should and feel that 1t is SO.
hate the institution in all its aspects but let us see
if there is not something in it which demands con-
sideration from those who propose instantly to
abolish it.
The condition is after all ono of comparative
evil The slaves better with US than they would
be in Africa, where there are much larger pro
portion than here; for Pagan slavery places the in
dividuals liberty not only, but his life, at the dispo
sal of his master. Mungo Park said that c-sixths
later and good authorities rate the number as high
nine tenths. Now, no one will deny that the
condition of slaves 10 far better than the condi
ton of these. Until we are ready to give up to
US not attempt to take away from them what they
now have.
This is not all. Slavery is here 1t remains to
be proved that white labor can accomplish that for
which we have till now depended on black, or that
free blacks will do what slaves now do. They will
not succeed cnterprising citizens till we have
made then intelligent and surrounded them with
their peers.
We are indebted to slavo labor for nino tcnths Of
all the cotton used in the world--cotton that has
within the recollection of some Of us present sup
planted linen, and almost wool and silk. We are
indebted to them for much of our sugar, once
luxury, a necessity; and in q great degree for
Coffee rice and tobacco. 1t is the business OF
their lives to render these services, and to change
their condition must be the work of time.
American slavery must get rid of American sa-
very-it must cure itself. The slaves are to be
educated and chrstianized, and sent back to At
RIGA, to spread over that land the blessings Of in
telligence and Christianity. To my mind no other
way seems open by which to work the extinction
Of slavery. The process must be slow, and egisa-
ton II wise. If we patient to wait the work
ing of Providence, if we discharge faithfully our
duties TO our southern brethren, in due time the
desired result may be attained. There is much
force in tho suggestion of the Secretary Of the Navy,
that If obey laws faithfully may live in quiet;
if not, we will incur all the disasters attendant on
dissolution of tho Union.
ask pardon for the length OF my remarks, but
the subject is dear to my heart, and earnestly de-
sire that oil agitation may be quoted.
SPEECH OF HON. WIN. j. BACON.
Hon. WILLIAM ]. BACON arose to say but a
word, which the occasion OF our coming together
seems to demand It would have been gratifying
to have heard from our distin crushed guests, but
their fatigue is their apology, and it seems proper
| that they should enjoy this quiet.
The presence OF our Chief Magistrate has called
| to my mind occurrence of carly life. When
| argued my fret cause in the Supreme Court.
eighteen years ago, Willard Fillmore was counsel
for the opposite party. did my best; but he beat
me on that occasion, and the same relative luck
| has followed us through life. Ho has always got
the better Of me, and has now beaten me by reach
| ing the Presidency first. man once started with
| the determination, "Aut Caesar aut nullus," toii
be C0sdr or nobooy. He worked hard n while, and
struggled to be Caesar, but finally gave it up; and
as he could not be Cesar, wisely concluded to re-
main nobody. He has become CIsar, and q
| greater than Cesar; and am where / started, o
nobody.
| The career Of our President Is an excellent com
| mcntary institutions. 1t is gratifying &c
see such man rising step by step to post of dig
| nifty and honor. and leaving behind him in every
| relation the cyidences of nm honorable and stain