New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-23
THE QUESTION OF THE DAY.
SPEECH By Mr.. WILSON OF Mass.
In the q. 8. Senate, Feb. "a, 1881.

MR. PRESIDENT: Bancroft, in the Last volume q
bis History of the United States, has drawn with
graphic pen the character of George Mason, one Of
thai illusons band Of patriots that carried America
through che FIRE asd blood Of revolution from ColonA
dependence TO National Independence. He tells us,
that this Christian patriot chad been truly loyal on
renoandng bis King, he could stand jus.ied TO bis own
conscience, only by the purest and most unsehsh at
tachment 10 human freedom;' thai "his sincerity
made him vie and bold, modest and unehanpinp;h
that he had scorn for everything mean and coward
ly and low and be always spoke 0at his convictions
with frank oi, ectness." The great ommonweahh Of
Virginia sent this "wise and bold modest, unehang-
ing patriot represent her 10 that ilustons as.em-
blsge Of patriotic sstesmen met frame the Consitu.
ton of tie United States. Actuaied "by the parest
and most uaself attachment 10 human freedom, scorn-
Ing everything mean, and co Eardly, and low" this
Noble son Of Virginia, speaking ont bis convictions
with frank dir-,tues adnoni, led bis illustrous COM
peers that slavery brought the judgment Of Heaven
upon country" that "by an inevitable shain Of
causes and effects Providence punished National
bins by National calamtes." These fearful words
Of admoDiVn aLd of warning, uttered nearly three.
quarters Of century sgo Ia the ear OF patiot states
men, who were striving 10 frame National Govern.
ment 10 harmony -ith the ghts Of human nature and
the laws Of the living God resouDd In the ears Of the
nation 10 the dark and troubled night now upon US
In thi, hour Of peril when the Republic Il rent AID
torn by fnsrl strfes when conspiracies, and trea.
som, and reoelions threaten TO plunge the nation INTO
the unfathomed aoyss Of dsunion and civil war ana 70
blot United America from the map Of Nations; who
thus sees God History does not see and face, and
realize that Slavery has brought the judgment OF
Heaven upon country; that Providence rs punish.
ing this gigantic national rio, by these appalling calam
tiles now upon and impending over usl Well
would it be for country If IN these days Of disaster
and Qloom tho.e TO whom intrusted the precious
interests OF the Republic should like the great patriot
of Virginia. revsreiy recognize ITO hand OF God In
the affairs Of Nations; and like him ever remember
that T" SLAVERY BRINGS THE JUDGMENT OF HEAyEs
UPON A CousTRY"l One year ago, these cham
beers rang with passionate and vehement mensces
Of dsunion; statesmen, TO whom were commit
ted the destiuies Of united America, with the "a
cred oath 0, fidelity to the Constitution fresh
upon their lips, insoien'ly, scornfuny, defantly
s1resten to SILVER the nobest edce. the airest fabric
Of tree ever created by the toll or blessed
by the hopes and prayers Of humanity il the people
tie people Of the Free Noth-dared through the ball
lotbox the control Of the affairs OF the Repub-
H.. These disloysl avOwa!s were flashed over the
wires and scattered broadcast over tile land. Timid
conservatives rank appalled, before these angry NUT
teiDgs of mediaied treason and with "bated breath
and whispering nuDbleness," couDseled Submission.
These reasonable meDaces uDnerved not the sooh OF
the everlo al fee-p Of the North, but they fixed the
hearts and r.kndled the patriotism Of the un,elhsh
masses-Of the farmers, who till their ieesimpe
acres unpolIated by the fot OF the bondmaD-of the
mechanics whose hands skilled by srt-Of the
L.borers who recognize no master but Almighty God.
Iupeed by The fervid and iuextnguishable impulse Of
freedom BY the purest and most uoselfsh patriotism,
the unseduced, uppurcbased, unawed freemeD Of the
North calmly tbronged 10 the ballot-box, and struck
from fa less corrupt aud disoYai hands the reins OF
power. TIE treasobabe words Of lat year have now
h.rened Into deeds. Madness and folly rule the hsur
Treason holds lie nvsl here in the national Capitol
Men high 10 the national councils plot coDspiraces
against the Government they are sworn 70 defeud,
ard clasp the hands OF the assasslns OF the Union Men
10 whom have been Entrusted uical duties and respon-
slbies talk OF the oisnleubeImebt Of Inc Republic,
hot in the sad OF patriotism, but with the gle
full chuckle of irrepressble JOY. States vanntingy
proclam th,r withdrawal from the Union made by tie
fstlv I'M
capture the If the naos insult dish nor and
FIRE upon the flag Of the Republic sez the pubic prop
ery and even from their festive days The hall
lowed anniversary of national Independence, with all
iis ri ioas association. and thrilling memories. Never,
no never the dawn Of creation, has the historic
pen recorded conspiracy against the OF man AND
of democratic instr uiUns, 10 utterly caaseleos, TO
wickedu its pu poee REGARDLESS Of the Judgment Of
the civilized world and the approval Of Almighty God
During the part year the world has watched, with
tbrvbbiDg heart ard besnng the great struggle in
the cl,sic Land OF Italy, for the freedom unity aud
nationality Of the laAn p-ople Aspirations for tie
success OF the liberal young monarch Of Sardin, "a
bis great Minister; OF GaITbadi and bis brave COM
r,des; have mingled with the morning and evening
prayers of the lovers Of human freedom In the old
world and ia the How snxiously, and how hope
fully have We of Amerna turned our eyes toward the
rising States and struggling people Of Italy How
often have we hung with rapt admiration upon the
thrilling story Of the goio1s contest for the unity OF
the Italian States and The nationality OF the iasn peo-
striving mady, isanely striving, 70 dismember tins
cou-ohd 4ted conf de, siion of sovereign common
wealhs di.upt this great Republic VI the world to
topple down this splendid fabric OF Tree government
erected by lilo iols ancestry, and to bring beneath its
brohen, sLiser.d, snd falling columns the respondent
gres Of he pact the achieved ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Of TIE
present. and the brilliant boIes aud de TIMES OF the fu-
tufe We are accum-tomed, Mr. President, 70 eonem-
plate with something grtihed and patriotic prdethe
wOndrous progress of country, and the strength
and stability Of our Government. We speak OF iis
future with proud and conscious security AZ we have
watched tie fclterDa stres the BLOODY and desoirg
wars If factions WI leu have followed eah other IN
succession ia the Republics OF Mexico, Central and
South Am. rica--Repubics which we once hailed and
welcomed iuto he family Of Nations--as have
watched TOO the rising and falling dynases OF the Old
that our Government Is Immortal; that sustained by
the intelligent pstriotirm Of the people IL Is ever 10
snct with the bloom of freshness and perpetual youth
and the matured vigor OF manhood. We have dreamed
for our native lslid a glorious destiny masnidce6,
career through the coming ages. But our DREAMS are
over. Our bright, confident faih ID shaken. Ihe ke-
public hiss 1st is prestige. What a saddening, hnali
aiing aud appalling sJeciaeie does America now pre-
sent 10 tho gaze Of mankind Conspiraci.s in the cati
net and iu the balls of egi-alioneonsirace in tie
Capitol and in the S4tes-c0nrp ira,iss Ia the Army ana
in the Nsvy-coosIiracies everywhere To break the
unity OF the Republic destroy tbe grandest fabric Oh
free government the human understanding ever con-
ceiyed or to bands Of man ever reared. Saiss are
rushing mally from th,ir spheres IN the eons'elinh
of The Union, rThing the banners on Fe'o''
Ssfvns Federal authority armDg nen, planting frowi-
IT," batteries, sling resses AID dishonoring the ma,
tous Gag; clalcniis the public properly, IrLns and
~ w. :; ne Word, OF Daniel Weoser uttered in
,ha .ax, e notification, we're the expressions ex-
a,s,isneed under tho Union, calling for rneasure-
Which thresten TO destroy 1t What inyas'Ins 81
- nnbIic Itery-what ruin 10 private hapIiness-What
mo lit of rights violated, wrongs anredres-edi
10 iutify 10 the country to poserity, aod TO ine
void. this assault upon tbe free Constitution OF ths