Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-02-09

night.
SPEECH OF Mr. GROW.
The serenaders then proceeded to the resi-
dence Of Hon. Mr.. Grow, who spoke as fol-
lows -
Fellow CIrIzEYs-I must of course regard
this very lattering notice not as a compliment
paid TO me as an individual, but to me as
representative of principles and measures cher
iShed by so large portion OF the freeman OF
the nation (cheers) those principles that
were engrafted by our fathers upon the gov
ernnent at its earliest formation, which under
lie the structure of our free government, and
which gave to it vitality aud success. We still
maintain those principles cherished by Wash
ingtcn and Jefferson and the fathers of the re-
public, and which are yet dear to the hearts of
the present generation, and upon which those
wsest and greatest of men established in this
New World a government in which all men
were to be regarded in courts of justice as hu-
man beings entitled to the protection of life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Loud
cheerng) Having to-day closed long con
Aict of more than eight weeks in strngglet to
organize the national Legislature, it is with
feelings of pride common not to US alone, but
millions of freemen in the States of the UnOn
rejoice in the result. The long conflict is to-
day closed, 50 far as organizing the Legislature
is concerned but this conflict, fellow citizens,
is not one of sections, as has been represented
it is not ii conflict between the North and
the South, or between any other sections of
this Union, but it is conflict as to an element
of political economy and the systems Of labor
existing in this country 1t is conf Ct wheth-
Il 4 II
shall be now, and continue to be, the homes OF
the freemen-w whether they shall be dedicated
end consecrated forever in free homes for free
men, or whether they shall be occupied by a
population emigrating thence, not only from
your own States, but brought to this country
from the shores of Africa, by which the Ter
ritories shall be filed up with black slave
population, instead Of being the homes of white
fleemen That is the conflict of to day
(Cheers and not war Of the sections Of
this Union 1t is conflict on a principle Of
political economy, and as to the system of la
Dor that can best develope the material interest
of the country and foster its great Industrial
interests (Cheers.) The question of the
day is, whether the men who own their own
labor, whose daily toll is the only means they
have of obtaining livelihood and support for
themselves and their families, shall be the re-
cipients of this great Inheritance, bequeathed
by your fathers-whether those who own their
own labor are to occupy the Territories os this
Union, free rom the degradation that contact
with slavery everywhere brings upon free la
Dor, or whether they are to be occupied by
those who own the labor of others, and whose
capital consists in the bones a:rl muscles of
the aborer This conflict between the labor
that owns itself and the capital that owns it
has caused this long struggle in Congress, and
to day shakes the political elements of the re-
public. CHEERS. A voice" free labor for
ever down with democracy.") 1t is not a
conflict between the States of this Union, or
the people of one section against the people
of another section but it is a conflict of these
two elements and we ask that the goveI H.
ment of the country, so far as it has conStitC-
tional power, shall WELD that power in behalf
of the free labor of the North and the South,
and in behalf of the free labor of the world,
and that it shall dedicate the unOccupied Ter
rtores Of the Union to freedom, aud to free
homes for free men. I am obliged to you,
fellow citizens, for this mark Of your kindness
and respect, and receiving it as rendered 10
L
l bid yoa good night, wishing you all long
and happy life.
WASHINGTON, Friday, Feb ..
Mr.. FoRNEY's election as Clerk of the House
was effected by the votes of all present who
had voted for Speaker PENNINGTON, together
with those of HORACE z. CLARK and RIGGS,
and with the exception of Mr.. DAVIS of Mary
land
Col. FoRNEY was serenaded tonight In the
course Of his oratorical response he said the
Republican Party had been basey slandercd
in being beld responsible ny the political op.
ponents for the Harpers Ferry raid. He had
witnessed with pain the conduct of Northern
Democrats, in concert with those of the South
in furtheriEg the views Of the Administration
for the perpetualization of Slavery Our country
has higher and noblcr ends He would guard
and protect every Southern right and euforco
the Fugitive Slave Law. In conclusion, he
said he was like Mazeppa, when bound to his
steed, who when sent forth on his perous
journey from which it was designed he should
never return, shouted back to his prosecutors,
Il will return, one day" If the President,
seated in his par"r, could hear these shouts
he would know that he (FoRNEY) was here.
Mr.. HOFFMAN also received the votes of the
Republicans and about half the American
vote, and was thus elected Sergeant at Arms.
Seven Americans, viz; Messrs Maynard,
Moore of Kentcky, Quares, Stokes, Hatton
and Smith Of North Carolina, voted for Mr.
UNDERWOOD. Mr.. GLGSBRENNER, in addition
to the Democratic votes, received those of
Messrs. Bouligny, Birstow, Hardeman, Hill,
Leach of North Carolina, and Vance, who be-
long to the Southern Opposition.
A Day OF HoRRoRs-This morning just as
the operatives had arrived at the scene of
their labor, the boiler in factory in Brook
lyn exploded and five persons, including part
ner in the firm, were instantly killed, while a