Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-12-30
From the n. Y. Tribune.
Gerrit Smiths Sneeeh.

Gerrit Smiths Speech.
Let the friends of freedom in the Union
and of union for freedom mark to-day with
white stone. Gerrit Smith has not only
spoken--but though only in brief outline, he
has unfolded his whole doctrine ofthe higher
law and universal liberty; and what is more,
he has been listened to with earnest attention
| and cordial respect, and has been answered
with manly frankness yethigh toned courtesy
The whole scene was an omen that the era
of angry strife between the Free and Slave
States is closing and that new era of fra
ternal cooperation in removing the only source
of Disunion, has opened.
| MIR. Smiths air and manner at once COM
manded the eyes and ears ofthe whole House.
His deep voice filled the room; the smile on
his countenance won sympathy; and though
grace and dignity Of his noble person seemed
the symbol of magnanimity. AS the speecL
will Of course be reported in your columns, it
is unnecessary here to sketch his argument
! 1t will be seen that his declarations of princi-
pie were compromising, his criticism terri
bly, severe, his assertion of the claims of du-
! ty as impartial as if in the name of an apos-
tie he had been warning his hearers of their
responsibility to the heavanly Judge. But
the calmness, gentleness, and dispassionate
tone with which he spoke, disarmcd anger,
and elevated his auditors--even those whom
| his words most wounded-into a severe up
per air of truth, where personal jealousies, sec
tional feuds and the meannesses of party pol
tiles were lost sight Of and forgotten. All
recognized in the speaker an honest generous,
Christian gentleman, who, strong in the con-
sciousness of his own integrity, trusted in the
honor of his fellow-men.
And his confidence was well placed. AS
soon as he was seated Mr. Preston, of Kel :
lucky, replied in speech of great directness
and force. Without denying or in any way
cavilling at the broad principles of right as
serted 10y Mr.. Smith, he took the ground of
a common obligation resting upon all the peo-
/ pie of the United States to respect the laws,
institutions and usages of the several States,
in entire good faith. All who swore to sup
port the Constitution thereby testified their
purpose and pledged their honor to observe
its provisions uneqivocally. What was re-
markable in this speech Of Mr. Preston's was
the admission, Identical with that lately made
in the address of the Southern Agricultural
Convention, that Slavery is a transient stage
of society, disciplinary in character and pre-
pairing the way for civilization. The speaker
showed that, as all nations had in their in
! dustrial development passed up through SER
/ vitude to free labor, so doubtless time would
come when the black race trained refined
and educated, would emerge into freedom by
an irresistible yet peaceful process. He hint
ed, as a hope cherished by himself, that the
negroes would gravitate to the South Il. ore
and more and in due time, by minging with
/ the mixed races of Mexico and Central Am e
| RIGA, form new State or nation, under free
institutions. Mr.. Preston was heard with re-
spectful interest by all the Anti-Slayery men
in the House; for they felt rhat they We're
listening to ;he frank utterauce ofSncere con
victions 10y high-minded, thoughtful, true
man.
May this brief debate prove an suspicious
augury. How soon, how very soon, might
this great nation enter upon course of poll
cy-ln which emancipation might be intro
duced by A COMBINED MOVEMENT of the Free
and Slayeholding States-not only without
violence, disturbance, or injurious effect upon
any class Or interest, but with new, health
. full, Strengthening influence, felt throughout
every department of the national common
WEALTH. only Southerners and Northerners
would thus meet each other in a spirit at once
frank and fraternal
/ This Union is not TO be surrendered; yet
Slavery is to be removed. Let our watch
word henceforth be then, Union for Freedom,
/ Freedom IN Union-a free Union forever.