Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-08-05
MR. BLAIR AT ST. JOSEPH.

Hon. f. p. Blair, ir, recently delivered
political address at st. Joseph. Missouri, in
which he distinctly brought forward his views
upon emancipation, this being the FIRST speech
of that kind ever made in that place. After
some general remarks upon national politics,
Mr.. Blair proceeded to show that the interests
of Missouri pointed to free labor as its true
policy The opinions advanced by him were
opposed to those Of many Of his hearers and
occasioned some excitement, which increased
towards the close of his remarks, as may be
seen by the concluding portion, which we
copy below -
feel the inspiration of the place have
been here before. TO what is the present
advance of St. Joseph attributable; is it to
Slavery rVoce-"Did it rctard it," Yes!
T"Proye it am not called on to prove
axioms. give my better belief-one negro
is more in the way Of a railroad than three
mountains. Applause and laughter Look
at the map Of our country. Has servlle labor
made your railroad, or the houses you count
your wealth and strength by: St. Joseph
advance is owing to free white labor; to it
she owes her position, second only to St
Louis in the State. Applause and misses ]
Cities are the nurseries Of Freedom; they first
broke the bonds of Serfdom in Europe. St.
Louis, through her free white citizens, over
threw Slavery, and st. Joseph may, by SINH
lar policy, accomplish the same results
Applause and Kisses. You have taken the
fair young bride of Freedom to your arms
Some of the ehivalry uttered an obscene jest
If ST. Joseph amounts to anything she must
take hold of free white labor, and her advance
will give the death-blow to Slavery in her
midst; for once receiving this fair bride you
cannot 90 back--Ispeak from history-and you
will follow in the footsteps of st. Louis, and
Missouri will be free. Applause and Kisses
Here began a regular row, cries of all kinds,
and fight seemed imminent; but Blair stood
calmly waiting for the noise to subside. One
bright genius arose and told Mr.. Blair he had
treated him as gentleman-hissing and cries
of put him out being gentlemanly O in the
code ofchivalry- but he must not say things of
ensiye to the feelings ola pro-slavery audience
Cry in tho audience, 1T amt pro-slavery
audience by id sight" Chivalry re-
piled: 81 have got as good pair of lungs
as any one, and I'm match for any man o
ono hundred and fifty pounds" Here Mayor
Thompson arose and said that "Mr. Blail
spoke by invitation of his friends and though
he might not agree with him, yet every South
ern gentleman would treat him as gentleman
and hear him espectiully-others had go
to-" The storm quoted.
have striven to show due respect anc
courtesy for the feelings of my pro-slaver,
friends. ! was born and reared in slav
State, and do not wish to say any thing t
hurt your feelings
have spoken for some time longer than
had supposed the heat of the room is great
and feel wearied. l thank you for your at
tendance and attention; even those oppose
to me.
After the speaker stopped the audicnc
dispersed good-naturedy-he and there wa
cry for the one hundred and fifty poun
man.