Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-03-11

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MS. CLAPP. JOHN J. MUss0N.
JOHN NJ. Co0vER. Q J.. E. CHASE. Hs
1 r. HUTCHINSON. WILLIAM JRssUP.
1 VIM a. TANNEYuIIE M. STEERS.
WIN. BLEEKRR. JAMES NJ. STOUT. sr.
| W. B. WOODS. W. j. FLAGa' r.-..
| EDS A PARR0TT. A. O. V0R1S. NJ b
ynsaSi, wan g. wo9R %sreur 1aaN y; AisEsSsI SEhSs
GEO. I: CONVERSE. WIN; W Jones; ,ns ~,
| 4, A. PLANTS. PATRICK ROGERS, "a.
SPEECH OF JOSEPH JONAS, or HAMILTON CouNTY
INTHE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEB Is q
26, 1861. Xxx. ~
The House bill No. $50; "To prevent giving
aid to fugitive slaves" Pending motion to
indefinitely postpone, Mr.. Jonas said: d.
Mr., SPEAKER:-Iti is with some hesitation, af.
ter listening to several eloquent speeches, arise
to reply, not being an orator, or acquainted with
rules of Logic or Rhetoric; but do presume to
have some knowledge of the rules Of common
sense. The debates on this bill have taken an
enlarged space, and wandered far from it's proper
range. It is not debating the bill, but abstract
questions. We are also discussing compromise
by which we can harmonizs with our Southern
brethren, and more especially with the Border
States. / well recollect, Sir, about "a years
since, the dreadful calamity which befel the
Moselle steamboat Some circumstance caused
me to be present on the banks Of the Ohio, not
far beyond the present site of the Cincinnati
Water Works, and curiosity prompted me to
stay awhile and observe the proceedings Of q
body of German emigrants, about seventy or
eighty in number, consisting cfmen, women and
children, grouped together, with their luggage,
near the river. A raft Of timber was in front
of them. They seemed waiting for some con-
veyance. A few minutes elapsed, when. round.
ing point, appeared the Moselle, under head
of steam. She approached the shore, and from
the raft embarked these hapless Strangers
The steam whistle was heard, and che drew of
from the raft. Scarcely had the wheels been
put in motion, when, horror! she blew up with
a tremendous explosion, and more than two
hundred souls were instantly launched into eter-
aity! The sight was too horrible for descrip-
ton. The alarm spread, and in q few minutea
the bank was crowded with despairing relatives
and lamenting friends. The aged would heave
their measured lamentations, whilst the young
gave utterance to quick and impusive exclama.
tions Of horror and alright; tmid and soft heart
ed women would sicken at the details of the CO.
lamity, and mans stern heart would quicken at
the recital. The whole nation was start
led by the shock, and many of our citizens
were in mourning for the dead. The inquiry
was at once instituted, How did 1t happen7 Up.
on whom rests the dread responsibility of this
tragedy 49,. ~ 'o' ''''
If our people are so sensitive to an occurrence
of this kind, how is it to be accounted for that
they are so needless of the mighty events now
crowding upon us2 We had lost but one steam
er, amongst thousands which piled on our riy-
ere, and navigated our coasts, and lakes; and we
had lost but two hundred of our citizens, when
millions congregated In our cities and popula,
ted our States. That was but as mere speck
on the horizon, compared to the volcano about
to explode under our feet. Is IL because we dis
like the Union7 answer, no The people love
the Union, and have every reason for so doing
Whatever could be accomplished by artificial
means, has been accomplished. Under our glo-
rious Constitution, we have defended our homes,
our liberties, and our commerce, and gloried
over cur enemies, both by sea and land. Wei
were the pattern Republic, and as a govern
ment we were respected and feared by all tie
nations Of the civilized world;-with our man.
ufactories and our minerals, with our products
from the North and the West, and our cotton,
sugar, tobacco and rice from the South, we en-
ployed more shipping, and our commerce was
greater than that Of any one nation Of the earth.
What is cur condition at PRESENT. The glory
has departed, and we are likely to become |
by.wordsand reproach among the nations. -
How has this great change been brought about2
II Is the work and agitation Of demagogues and
fanatics. -so,,eN q, t.irt
Ihave listened, Mr.. Speaker, to the sentiments
and higher.law broached. by the gentleman
from Meigs, and Ihave paid attention to the
Abolition doctrines promuIgatedIby the Rev.
gentleman from Huron would now enquire,
who entaled upon us the curse Of slayeryY
The answ er is, Northern men and Northern |
ships. Who continues this horrid trader
Echo saws, Northern men and Northern abIns
Yes gentlemen, the descendants Of Inc pilg,im
Fathers, hypocrites as they are, after rolling in
wealth and luxury from this Illegal trade, after
on the South tbis curse. N ~ ,ohl,,a
abolish slaverryv and deptiy,eY them of tbs, nror
eyty and leayiap the negro At lS lsycs, ,lrns.