Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-03-23
From the Philadelphia Daily Register
DAVID PAUL BROWN ON THE MISSOURI
oUEerION.


Thirty-three years ago, the most generous
hearts Of our nation were beating high with
desire to prevent the dishonor Of our country
by the extension Of Slavery. Tho same argu-
ments were urged then that are urged now,
and with eloquent earnestness Philadelphians
we're then, as now, brave in defence Of our re-
publican honor. In an old volume Of the
National Magazine, we find speech made in
1920 by David Paul Brown Esq, OF our city.
Most Of it is appropriate TO our own times, and
the whole sounds like Senatorial speech Of
our own day on the Nebraska bill. The fol-
lowing extract shows that the orator had
prophetic soul:
"But,n say the advocates Of Slavery, the
poison is not strengthened by being diluted It
matters not whether the slaves are in Virginia,
Georgia or in Missouri or over what extent
Of country they may be sprcad--the number is
still the same" IL matters much, apprehend
II infiicts another and q oureless wound upon
our national character it invites invidi0us for
eign Powers to descant largely upon our re-
publican theory and practical despotism; but
independent Of all this, the opposite argument
is utterly illusory, fallacious and unf0unded
The importation Of slaves will increaso in pro-
portion to orr demands for them, like that Of
all other merchantable commodities Their
souls and sinews will be worth more, as tho
necessities for their services are enlarged; and
their enhanced value, though it may not buy
out the law" will induce many to venture its
violation, and at least enable some with impu-
nifty to escape.
If with the present temptations to this me-
farious traffic, the General Government ac-
knowledges its inability to suppress it, would
it not be madness to hope to extenuate or sub
due the enormity by offering it a legal pass.
port, wider shelter, and richer reward?
But it is not merely the increase of slaves that
is to be dreaded--it is the influence Of Slavery.
Territories and new States are generally peo-
pied with emigrants and adventurous from all
parts Of the world, and particularly from the
old States who, in the course of time, swayed
by example and interest those two great in
oentives to human action, and losing sight Of
their conscientious scruples, if any they ever
possessed, become tinctured with local preiu-
dices, and, consequently exert every faculty
and nerve in support of this growing and
grooming curse. Hence the suggestion that
the distribution Of the slaves now in the Uni
ted States could produce no greater moral or
political injury than their continuance in their
present situation, is erroneous.
THE BRITISH FLEETs-The war prepara-
tons in Great Britain are on the most extern
sivc scale On the 4th Of March there were
anchored at Portsmouth fifteen ships, carrying
500 guns, and more were collecting. Thirteen
ships were also expected to rendezvous imine-
diately at Spithead All have their full com
plement of mon, and at the last dates were
busily engaged in artillery practice. Tho
"Duke Of Wellington" a threc-decker Of 40
gunr is to be Admiral Napier's flagship, The
victualling of the fleet was going on rapidly,
and all leaves Of absence had been prohibited
The letter-writers speak in warm terms Of tho
gunnery In one casc-that of the Dragon
they hit the bull's-eye twice with their eighty
four Founders, and struck the target several
'of 800 yards. The reader may infer from all
this, what may be expected in the event Of
conflict.