New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-12-07

c;ates and OF some twenty or thirty co0red
persons fugitive slaves resident in Canada,
from which emanated the provisional govern
mebt under authority from which Brown
assumed to act. As to the character and extent OF
the military equipments under Browns control
another proposed object Of inquiry-where and
how they were obtained and transported, not to
tte place invaded, for they never we're transported
thiiher, except the arms which the invaders had in
their hands, but to Browns house IN Mayland-nO
Congressional investigation is likely TO add anything
to what is already known of the history of the
Sbarp's niles and reyolvers brought from Kansas,
ard of the pixies manufactured in Connecticut,
which constituted Browns military magazine.
These matters, though referred to with much for
msIIty in Mr.. Mason's resolution, are indeed only
an inducement to the main point Of IT. the inquiry,
viz: Whether any citizens of the United States,
not present at the INVASION were implicated in it,
or aceessary to it, BY contributions of money,
arms, munitions, or otherwise In this
phrase or otherwise" turks, we apprehend,
the great object of Mr.. MasOn's proposed
inquiry. II opens an unlimited field
for the agitation and discussion Of the Slavery ques
ton, and Will give Mr. Mason the same opportunity
of playing upon the fears aud spprehensions of the
lavebolders which his rival, Mr. Wise, has already
rioyed and improved. The grand object of Mr..
Mason's Committee, doubt, will be to make out
that every man and woman who regards Slavery as
an Objectionable institution, whether IN POLITICAL
economical, social, moral, or religious point OF
view. and who has given expression to that opinion
must be regarded as an accomplish in the Harper's
Ferry affair. To give chance for declamations on
s point, and under this aspect of the case to use
the Harpers Ferry affair the basis OF an agitation
favorable of the South to Mr.. Mason's aspirations
to the Presidency, are we aPprehend, the leading
objects Of he resolution.
While Mr. Mason was thus taking the preliminary
step to start Slavery discussion in the Senate Mr.
CLARK of Missouri, without waiting for the election
of a Speaker, performed the same Office in the
House. Mr Mason might justify his resolution on
the ground that it related to subject in
which the Federal Government had an actual
Concern, about which there existed high degree
of interest in the public mind, and to which the
agitation of the Slavery question was only Incl
II.
force, and as it were by the hair of the head.
Before the House can elect Speaker, no wishes
that body to decide whether the doctrines and
sentiments of Mr. Helpers "Crisis OF the South"
are not incendary aud hostile to the domestic peace
and tranquility of tho country, and whether any
person who thinks We'll Of Mr.. Helpers book, is
not disqualified thereby from holding the office of
Of NJ
Helpers book are substantially these-that Free
Labor suffers blight from the presence of Slavery,
and that whatever benefits or advantages, II any,
the actual owners of slaves may derive from
that institution, slaveholdiug exercises most
depressing and deleterous influence upon that
mass of the white population which has no
other resource than the labor Of its own hands.
Mr. Helpers book is q very powerful argu'
nent. based upon undeniabe facts, against the
spread Of Slavery into new territories, to the ex-
clusion OF degradation of Free Labor. 1t contains
also some stirring appeals to the white non
Shareholders the large majority OF the voting popu-
lation throughout the Slave States, not to allo"
themselves aud their interests to be made 30 com
pleiey subseryient they are to the interests
of slaveholdng. 1t is pretty obvious that the ques
ton of the merits OF Mr. Helpers book, and the pro-
priety of indorsiDg or recommending it, involves
also an inquiry into the merits of slayehOding, and
opens that subject for discussion in all it's length and
breadth the question thus raised ID to be fully
discussed preliminary to the election of Speaker,
there will hardly be occasion to elect Speaker at
all, as the discussion might well occupy the whole
session, if not, indeed, the whole Congressional
term.
1t will be impossible to allow Mr.. Mason Mr.
Clark, and those of their way of thinking, to have
the whole field to themselves; but let them and their
political friends abstain from charging upon others
an agitation which they have been in such hurry