Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-05-27

's"'NAuu VT NorFo(tu tue tuuafhct tnuuu WIN
tue State in accepting the ceded ierritory--the
contract Only binds the Government not to exer-
cise that power 10 the detriment OF the Stnte by
DONG such acts as may tend to affect the rela-
ton of master and slave.
Sir, there ought to be cherished among us
spirit Of justice and good faith. without it, na-
tlons and States, like individuals, are not worthy
to be trusted | remember sir, with how much
admiration read, many years ago, an able and
eloquent speech delivered in the other end of
this Capitol by one Of the most intellectual, pure
and patriotic statesmen who ever graccd our
Halls Of legislation-a cherished and honored
now amented, son of my own State. The ptro-
ration of that brilliant effort never shall forget
In it he made this beautiful and touching al
usion:
"Above the portico of the eastern front Of
this Capitol the artist has ohiseled in bold relief
the embodiment OF a sentiment which we should
never fail to cherish with the most sacred and
scrupuous regard. Hope is there represented
as anxiousy inquring Of the genius Of Liberty
how the Union and the Constitution may best
be preserved Liberty points to Justice for the
answer"
Sir, believe that in these troublous times of
difficulty and sorrow in which we are called upon
to legslate for the restoration Of peace aud pros.
perity to our now divided and distracted country
we would do well it, on each returning morning
when we repair to these Halls, We should look
up to that silent but instructive group and REIN
press upon our minds the wholesome and beauG-
ful lesson which ii teaches.
Mr.. Speaker, | am sure there is no man in
this House who eau possibly desire more than l
do to sec our country rid Of the great curse OF
slavery. No man is more profoundly penetrated
with the conviction that Il would have been far
better for the harmony of our Union, as well as
for the welfare and prosperity of the States, il
slavery had never been known among us. Il is
uFhl lu ia a IL
points Tho terrible aud e1hausiing civil war
in which We are now engaged will tell to future
generations the sorrowful story Of the effect Of
tile effect Of the institution upon the peace and
harmony OF our Union Sad and satisfactory
proof may also be found in the debates even Of
the Continental Congress, which declared the in
dependence of the United Colonies, that the
great and almost the only trouble the patriots of
that immortal body had to meet was just such
an one we, their descendants, are engaged in
discussing here from day TO day. The ink with
which the Declaration of Independence was
written had scarcely dried when, upon the Ques-
tion as to how the taxes necessary to maintain
it should be levied the subject of slavery came
up to trouble and distract the national councils
1t stood with defiant boldness upon the very
threshold Of the hall in which was debated and
adopted the old Articles of Confederation, in
1888; and again in 1887, when the trainers Of
our present form Of Government, intended for
more perfect Union of the States, assembled NJ
Annapolis, its CHASTITY form again stalked in TO
disturb and distract tho deliberations of those
good and greut meu and from that day to the
present, this evil genius of our destiny has from
time to time returned to embhrrass aud impede
our Onward progress in power and 10 position
among the nations of the earth, until now it has
eliminated in the production, in the treest aud
best Government the world ever knew, of the
most gigantic, oauscless and wicked rebellion Of
which history furnishes any record.
Aud il evidence were desired, Mr. Speaker to
persuade the most skeptical that slavery has
intertered with the welfare and thrift and i'm
provement Of those States where ii exists, a trip
down the Ohio, or through my own little State,
would supply abundant proof up this point The
contrast between the right and left banks OF the
beautiful river has long since attracted the Atten-
ton of the impartial European traveller, speak
| ing volumes In favor Of freedom and in condem-
nation OF slavery. The most northern Of the
three counties which compose the State Of Della.
ware, in which slavery IS scarcely nominal,
where there is but one slave for two hundred
| freemen, is, in manufactures, arts, and aRricul-
ture, scarcely second to the most hourishing
county 10 the Union. Containing only about one
fifth of the area of the State, it is nearly equal
to both the others in population, greatly superior
to either in agricultural products, and far ex.
ceeds both in the aggregate Of industrial wealth.
| believe, too, sir, that there are few men at
the present day in Christendom who will under
take to defend the institution of slavery upon
the the abstract principles Of right and justice.
know that Of late years there has grown up
a class of men, some of them men of professed
piety, too. who pretend to believe that slavery is
a divine institution, recognized by the teachings
of the word of God; but that they really do not
believe what they profess, is evident from the
fact that they, almost without exception, con-
denim tue African slave trade as cruel, unjust,
and uuhOy to the last degree but arguing up
on principle, it is hard to conceive how il can be
more cOnsOnant with justice or humanity that
should hold in life-long bondage one who is born
upon the soil of my own country, speaking the
same language, and worshipping at the same
Christian altar with myself, than it is TO enslaYe
the wild and untutored savage who has nothing
in common with mo save his mere manhood, Ii
1t be right to mold the former, it will puzzle the
keenest casuist. think, to prove upon mere alb.
stract Christian principles that the latter can be
wrong, So thonght the founder Of that great
Christian denomination called Methodists, when
he declared that ''slavery was the sum Of human
villanes." So thought the immortal author OF
our Declaration OF Independence, when he pro-
posed to insert in ii protest against the British
king for his participation in the unholy traffic ;
and so he continued to think when, in after lite
he exclaimed, while Speaking Of the subject Of
slavery, ~ tremble for my country when | re.
member that God is just"
And now sir, having expressed my views thus
frankly upon the general subject Of slavery, /
think may, with some show Of friendship and
kind feeling TO the majority on this floor. again
appeal to them to let this cup pass from our lips,
, We have done noby, we have done much in be-
half Of liberty aud humanity at this session Of
+ Congress. What is now proposed can, believe,
/ add nothing Of practical worth to what We havo
r already achieved. Let us then here call a halt
aud take our bearings. This bill will not spoil
by the keeping, and doubtless we shall be better
prepared to act upon it at the next session o
e Congress. 1t may produce great harm If, imper
4 feet as it is, We pass it now.
i And now in conclusion, let me implore gentle
a men to make every just and proper concession
]. without the compromise Of principle, that vii
4 tend to calm the troubled water, or extend th
,f bow of promise ia our now darkened pOlitoa
= horizon. Let us do nothing which can in th
"a least prevent the restoration Of peace and proc
perity to our bleeding and distracted country
II now engaged in its struggle for existence lie
70 the war for the Union be prosecuted with tn
:. utmost vgor let our blows fall thick and fat
90 aud heavy as we eau strike upon the rebels Il
a every State shall have resumed its allegiance :
IA tho Federal Government till the sold Gag
re shall not only float again IN triumph over hicl
II mond and Charleston and Sumpter, but ovC
he every inch of our territory from ST. Lawrence
H. Rio Grande, and our fathers ensign of libert
shall be the one unriyalled emblem Of our nc
on iiOn's integrity and freedom.
PURE INFLUENCES.
u' Oh if no faces were beheld on earth,
"- But toiliug manhood and repining age,