Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-04-08

friends attention to one fact: have mentioned
it here in argument long time ago on this sub
ject; and then let me ask the question as to bis
own duties. Virginia has as much territory as
all New England or within very few thousand
square miles. 1t is vastly superior to il in every
particular. 1t has mines in its bosom; it has
water power unequalled, certainly unsurpassed
il has facilities for trade which are not surpassed
in any quarter it has all the elements Of great
moss TO an extent which no other territory Of
+ equal dimensions can he said to have, for manu-
factnres, for commerce, and for agriculture. Ii
the days Of the Revolution il had more population
than all New England it had more commerce (;
il had more wealth. Compare the State of Nir.
ginia as it was when this rebellion broke out,
with New England, and see the difference be
tween the two. At that day you had less than
n million of white population, and We had three
Millions In all the branches of national life,
even in agriculture, we were vastly your supe-
riors; and as to commerce and manufactures,
you had, comparatively, none.
What is the reason of this Can you give any
for the difference, except the fact that you had
an institution which we had not and if that has
been the effect why not begin among yourselves
to make Of that territory the great empire which
she Is capable of making instead Of on all occa-
sions, when we mention the subject of slavery on
this floor, flying into flame, as if we designed
to attack your institutions, instead Of merely
appealing to you to place yourselves where you
ought to be in comparison with the nations Of
the earth. What I say with regard to Virginia
is true, in a less degree, of maRy other Southern
States Kentucky particularly. 1t seems to me
the most marvellous thing in the world-I cannot
understand il | have not been able to c0mpre-
hend it-how enlightened statesmen, such as |
have seen on this floor representing these great
States, should exhaust themselves in singing
hOsannas to the institution of slavery, which has
belitted them, while other people, not so we'll
situated as themselves, have been growing COM
paratvey great
| would rather wish that all men were like my
friend from Missouri TMr. Henderson, in some
particulars, so far as | can Judge. lie made a
speech here the other day which was worthy of
all praise. did not agree with oil he said, hut
the tone the temper, and the kindness with
which it was spoken the whole spirit Of tue
speech from the beginning to the end was such
that il it could have been initiated on both sides
of this Chamber for the last ten years, it might
possibly have averted the trouble we are now
enduring and il il could be initiated now by
those who come into this Chamber from one Sec
tion of the country and another, and we could
approach this question and discuss it with kind
ness, such as we ought to feel towards each
other, at the same time with irmness and n re-
solution to tell the whole truth with regard to it,
looking upon the matter as n national question,
there would soon be an end Of pickering at this
Capitol. With such spirit, thus carried out,
by those who come here, not with the feelings
which the honorable Senator from Indiana seems
to suppose will be brought by those who are to
come after us, but with the catholic spirit OF
looking at the interests of the whole country with
reference TO anything peculiar in either section,
this nation would be placed upon foundation
so strong and sure that nothing in the world, and
all the nations of the world could not move it from
its base.
| Mr. President, have been wandering far be-
! yond anything that intended to say on this
subject. The question before the Senate, as
said before, does not admit of argument. The
simple question to be presented, in my Judgment,
! is, have we the constitutional power to abolish
slavery in this District? To that have answer
| ed so far as | am concerned. Is it expedient L
! say il is not only so, but necessary-necessary
now that we have the power to carry out the
principles upon which we have acted for many n
day necessary with regard to public opinion at
home necessary with regard 10 public opinion
abroad. We could not hold up our heads before
the nations of the world If we should lose this
opportunity and therefore | nm for taking ad-
vantage of it. To be sure, might have choice
as to the particular provisions of the bill l
might prefer, il it suited others, that tue eman-
cipation should be gradual. l am not certain l
should prefer it. Our reputation would be better,
in my Judgment, to do it instantly, because then
no danger can come Therefore, sir, l am dis
posed to take any bill that will accomplish the
purpose which does not undertake to do manifest
injustice to those upon whose interests we are to
act. At any rate, the great and broad interests
of humanity, and the necessity Of upholding our
national character in tho eyes Of men, and show
ing to the world that we have not been dealing
with mere falsehOods, but are in earnest, demand
this much at our hands and for one, am ready
to exercise my share of power in putting AN eud
to African slavery upon this spot, at once aud
forever