New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-02-16
SLAVERY on IFS MERITS.
From Oar Special Correspondents

WASHINGTON, Feb. Is, 1859.
Benjamin. speech on Cuba seems likely to pro-
yoke such discussion as has never yet been heard
in the Senate. He has boldly challenged discus
sion Of Slavery It's mrits. OF course he viii be
gratifed. He has thrown the door wide open and
invited the friends OflreedOm to come in and compare
notes as 10 the relative advantages of compulsory
labor and free labor. lie declared i'll terms:
fthe experience Of mankind has solved single industrial
problem We may fairly assume a, granted mat tropical proaae
BE- maintained scale q meet tie requirements OF
c.vi led an, BY compulsory lAbor Alone
Here is his fundamental proposition. He under
took 10 establish it by giving history OF West
India emancipation. He drew his picture of the
existing state of free society IN the British West
India Islands from such sources suited his pur-
pose aud has spread out his ease before the world.
lie hopes il is such as to disgust mankind with
Freedom. and 70 force all Ia admit what he claims,
namely that the substitution Of the system of
Slavery, as it exists in the United Estates, for the
existing Freedom of the West Indies, is at once a
necessity ana blessing.
Ofcourse Mr.. Benjamin has had too much expert
ence as a lawyer to expect that this great case
which he has thus opened, is 10 so before the world
on his presentation alone. Having exhibited one
side only, he will expect to SEQ the other presented
with equal fullness of detail. He has told us what
Freedom is in the tropics. We must now listen,
ard learn what Slavery is.
In order that every body should be able fairly
and impsrtially to Judge Of the merits of this case
let Mr.. BeDjamns speech be spread far aud wide
i'll the North, well as the South. Mr.. Benjamin
is an able lawyer, and a persuasive advocate. Let
him be heard-let no improper advantage be taken
of him before the bar OF the brosd public opinion
that must decide the question III issue And when
all the world shall have heard Mr.. Benjamin, then
let all the world hear the replies that will have
been made to Mr. Benjamin in the Senate.
A great an earnest, most thorough discussion
is upon us. To be- sure, large portion Of the
world have heard Anti-Sayery discussions before
now. But they have been made minor thea
tiers for the most part. Occasionally, fragmentary
and isolated dsquisitions upon this topic have
found their way into the other branch of Congress.
But they have always been condemned as iDapprO-
pirate and uncaled for by the friends of the pecu
liar Institution. Those friends have steadily de-
med that Congress had any thing to do with
Slavery and Anti Slavery discussions That Slavery
was topic never fairly before the National Legis-
ature for rs consideration, and that its agitation
and consideration there was always forced, always
out of place, alwsys uncalled for.
But these allegations can now no longer be made
All this is now changed. The whole subject of
Slavery in all IL bearings and relations, lite charac
ter, lis essence, its influence its connections is
brought boldly before the world in the Senate of
and eloquent champions. Slavery is put on trial
by It's friends, and demand made not only for &C.
quittal but for approval.
i here is nothing to mistake, nothing mealy.
moutbed this time. We have a. meet none of the
sophi,try and impudent pretenson that was put
forth in the of Texas to the effect that the ac-
QUESTION of slave country was favorable TO the
final extinction OF Slavery. Not at ALL Cuba is
demanded 10 save Slavery, IL secure Slavery in the
United States, and 20 rejstablish il where it ha.
been abolished The country is c,lIed upon, and
the world Is called upon, 10 confirm and spread
Slavery in the West Indies as q positive blessing
II IS called upon to save the Tropics from Free
dom and Free Society as a positive curse.
The great debate will inevitably be crowded into
q short period of time. Mr.. Hunter takes to-m0r-
row for the Tariff. Mr.. Crittend.n will follow
Mr.. Benjamin at an early day, however. Although
his speech comes first in order on the Cuba aues-
ton, he having the floor, of course he will not
touch the vital question raised oy Mr.. Benjamin.
That branch of the subject will be left to the Re-
publican Senators. lisp