New-York daily tribune., 1857-04-20
THE EMANCIPATION QUESTION At ST
LOUIS.
INAUGURATION OF MAYOR wIMER.

The Inauguration OF mayor W liner vi 81 LOUIS looh
place on the 18th nst when he delivered the follow
ing address,
Mr. Pye,deat and Gentlemen Of the City Council:
My grateful Acknowledgements are due not only TO
those Of my fellow-citzeps whose partlallty has ee-
waited me 10 the position of Chief Magistrate OF tins
city, but also to those who although preerrng another
for this place have extended 10 me orbearance ana
courtesy which does not usually characterize political
discussions. should ill-deserve such tokens OF the
psrtialy Of my friends or the generosity OF my oppo-
nens if did not feel profoundly sensible OF their KIND
ness. II a..
There is, however, another aspect in which this
event is to be viewed, far more gratifying to me than
considerations Of personal elevation, because II my
opinion it transcends in its importance to the pubic
welfare the elevation defeat Of any man, great or
small. allude- of course to the emphatic indorse
rnent of the great principles which have been htn-
| ored by ben chosen TO represent -,
II is uiversall admitted truth that labor IL the
ony creator of wealth and material prosperity 1t Is
equally tue that skilled and Intelligent labor of Tree
white nen s more productive than the compelled Ia
| boz of slaves. .
| Civilized society owes everything to labor, upon
which it is founded upheld, and for this reason
| all should unite in guarding the rghts OF iao9r'
and rph, ldiLg its dignity because III the same de-
gee that It's rights and dignity are maintained, the
| prosperity Of all is enhanced.
There are those however, so welded TO the PRIDE
of dominion that they prefer to the interest OF Tree
| white labor degraded by an injurious competition,
which. while il ministers 10 the pride of individuals,
initiates against the prosperity OF the State. ~,
/ The resolutions recently introduced ihlp hils-
| sour Legislature were intended to bind our State
| and city in all future time TO system OF labor un-
| suited to our condition, lowering by It's competition
the labor Of ireemen Of our own race and tending 10
| drive from the immigration from Europe and the
older States.
The people of St. Louis have, by their late action,
rebuked the authors Of these resolves. They have
calmly and fearlessly taken their stand. They have
decided in favor of the many against the few. This
declaration, am satisfied will never be reversed.
| There are none now who openly assai it. 1t Is be-
| leved that OF combination Of men can prevent
ts becoming the policy OF our people IL IL best Tor
the State that it should be peopled by white men,
| When this shall have been accomplished-wien the
| toiipg masses who create oil wealth and uphold the
very framework of society shall thus assert the dig
nifty nobility Of labor then shall our State assume
the proud position which belongs TO her. the center
of the continent the focus Of III 200 miles OF ver naV-
CATION and the possessor of climate and soil not sur
! passed by any portion Of our country.
This, gentlemen, is suspicious time 10 the affairs
Of ST. Louis and to us is intrusted the high and re-
sponsble duty of so directing It's affairs that the vast
interests involved shall not suffer- and that the pros
| perity vi the city shall not be retarded by time
serving and tmid policy. Commerce, manufactures
and the mechanic arts should therefore be invited to
our city, by q wise and consistent system of egisla-
ton with an assurance that capital will find sure and
safe investment, and labor liberal compensation.
The projected railroads terminating at city
| rapidly progressing TO completion, with sufficient
means already provided for that purpose afford an
evidence that citizens in earnest and de-
1
| pace with the enterprise of other States.
The maintenance Of the credit Of the city is q maj.
ter Of great Importance, and should be carefully guard
I'd BY keeping the expenditures within the receipts.
The wise provision at the charter restricting the
leldures Of any year O the of the pre-
cedng year, regard as imperative and binding on
us, ana appropriations exceeding the receipts will not
| meet with favor at my hands
In making selections Tor the various offices neces-
saiy TO carry the city government il shall be my
aim to call to the service Of the city good and compe-
tent men, and will receive al appointment from
my hands without regard to personal hness Life and
property must be preserved from personal violence.
The crowded state oi the landing admonishes US
that the public interest requires extended wharves,
aud much greater facilities for the management OF the
increasing commerce. pressing To our shores.
an aware of the great responsibility have this
day assumed, and can but regret that It ia not COM
| nitted TO aber hands. Distrustful of my abilities
fear that shall not be- equal o the discharge of the
duties Of that trust with advantage to the city; but
having accepted the place, will exert myself 10 fulfill
| IFS requirements.
| | am persuaded that I may confidently rely upon
| your cooperation in whatever measures may be de-
Nsed for The well-beinG OF common constituency
At the proper time, when shall have had an oppor
tuhity TO acqusnt myself more fully with the wants of
cur common constituents, l shall comply with the
acquisitions of the Charter, and recommend 10 You
such measures shall best for the interest OF
| the city,
To this address Mr. George X. Taylor, President
ofthe Board of Aldermen, responded We take the
following passage from his speech:
The great principle which you have advanced in
ielauon 10 tree Whe labor must meet the cordial ap-
probation If every true friend of this CITY and M.
State of Missouri. The pnne one which is inbon
N every of America, whether be be of the South
the North the West and is the one which will
ultimately prevail all our extended country, ami
despite of sectional prcudlces institutions and educa-
iion. These principles have been mine from my earli-
est recollection, and the only thing in which differ
| from yoursCl is the proper time for carrying these
| principles into practice. No man in his sober senses
can doubt thai, eventually, Kansas will be Free