Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-06-21
HENRY WILSON IN THE PHILADELPHIA
KNOW NOTHING CONVENTION.


The following abstract of tho speeches of
Henry Wilson, to whom the cause of Freedom
owes SO much both in The present and former
emergencies, will give the spirit of the debates,
on the part of the North as embodied in their
champion who bore the brunt of the battle.
In the preliminarydcbats in reply to Bowlin
of Virginia, who made savage Attack on Gen.
Wilson and his State, Mr. Wilson replied with
admirable GOODNESS and bold lrankness
He said he was the last man to shrink, at
home or abroad, from the frank avowal of his
opinion, and he was the last man on earth to
submit to dictat and threats. The gentleman
from Virginia charged him with endorsing Bur-
lingame's speech in the fremont Temple, and
thus striking him down in Virginia. He did
endorse that speech. lie now endorsed it, and
he should live and die by it, and Massachusetts
will still stand by that speech.
An effort had been made in Virginia to strike
him down in Massachusetts, but he was not to
be stricken down there by the shareholders of
Virginia. Ho conceded the right of the States
to settle their own domestic affairs. He stood
by the State rights doctrine of Virginia in 1799
Massachusetts, had just asserted her own powers.
She flung back, with defiant arm, all assaults
coming from the North or South.
He was for the abolition of Slavery in the
Districts and in the Territories for the restor-
alton of Freedom in Kansas and Nebraska for
severing the national government from all con-
nection with slavery this was the only nation
al position, and on this we can carry the Free
States like a tornado, but if Northern men
wavered all was lost at the North and the
South goes for the winning party. He went for
the Union, so did his State. They responded
to the sentiment of Andrew jackson, "tbo
Union must be preserved" and they mean that
liberty shall be preserved at any cost.
He was for peace but he did not shrin from
war, personal or political, if necessary to vind-
cate his opinions. He told the South that tho
North would outlive them on these questions,
and Il at they would submit. We have SUBMIT
ed, and our turn is now to COME Ours is the
future, yours is passed.
The speech of Gen. Wilson was received
with much attention, and made deep impress
sion. Many Southern gentlemen came to him
after he closed and congratulated him.
On final debate, and in ply to the Dough-
face Squires of New York, Mr.. Wilson said -
He rose to repel the unprovoked assault made
upon his State, and to rebuke the insolence of
the member from New York. All would bear
witness that he (Gen. W J had uttered nc. words
OF unklndness to any one during the sittings Of
the Convention From gentleman from the
South, he had received acts of kindness he
should ever remember, and all would notice that
all would notice that the wonton assault of the
member from New York was wholly unproyok-
ed. This member had declared that the anti
slavery movement had thrown up small men
The exhibition the member had made of bimsef
proves that he is the last creature on earth 10
sheer at any one for want of ability. temner or
manners. -
Gen. Wilson said he and his associates sfooa
upon that floor with 80, 900 I rso"
men at their backs--the delegates from New
York stood there with only bafiled and defeat.
ed faction behind them-inen of buckram. Sc.
ward trod his heel upon the necks of the ram.
pant gentlemen from New York, and if this
New York platform was agreed to, he would
look down into their political graves. New
York must be and shall be held responsible for
the platform it was their work We could not
stand upon 1t in single free State of the North
The member says he will 60 to the Democrats if
the restoration platform is adopted. Let him
go-iet his associates go, bag and baggage-we
we shall lose little Of either talent, character or
power Tie will no longer bea hypocrite he
tells us we are glad to hear it.
Adopt this platform and the North will repu-
date it and you--it has sent one hundred and
twenty pledged men to Congress to restore free
iom to kansas--will these members obey your
iecrees and violate these pledges, Never will
they do 80. Mr. Barker who wanted to be Nav
'r of New York, and could not, who wanted to
DC President of this Council, and could not get