Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-05-28
VOL. 8.---NO. 80.

ferent to the rights and to the fate of the ne
gro race on this continent, my course would be
the same that ii is.
NY vote for the measure of emancipation IN
this District the other day would be Justified
by such consideration alone For more thaa
half a century has slavery held undisputed pos
session of thisDistIict; and here YOU may behold
the effects of slavery epitomIzed. 10 all this
time not one single branch OF useful industry
has sprung up. With genial climate suited
to the production of every kind of fruit and
vegetable which is grown in the mildcr regions
of the temperate zone, the markets are sup
piled largely from the remote districts IN tae
free States; large amounts of Federal patron
age are yearly dispensed TO, and in favor OF,
residents, but few improvements are made
schools and churches are fully kali a century
behind the institutions of education and re-
ligion even in the rural districts of the free
States. An air OF general unthrift pervades
the town and the surrounding country.
desire, sir, to see the capital represent tair-
ly the industry, the energy and the enterprise
of our country | desire to see arts and in-
dustries, intelligence and culture represented
here; and the country surrounding us bloom
ing under the hand of the free laborer Above
all, desire to see labor respected, so that for
eigners may see here somewhat of what makes
our national greatness so that my own con
stituents may feel themselves at home Ia their
national capital. Near this city is one OF the
does for community. Hardly cannon shot
from this very spot is one OF the most mag
nlicent water powers on the continent. From
that point canal is already constructed, AZ
fording means OF transportation to navigable
waters with depth of fourteen or fifteen fee;-
AT this point is concentrated power great
than drives the wheels of ali the cotton
mills of New England. Why is il that CAPT
tai has stunned this magnificent power, with
the facilities for transportation, and has built
up the great seats of manufacturing industry
in regions destitute of the advantages here
foundi Why is it that the fertile regions of
the Potomac, the Shenandoah and the James,
instead of the regions, barren and comparative
ly difficult of access, OF the Merrimac, have
not attracted capital aud Industry
l was iorcibly impressed, sir, few weeks
ago, by remark made by the venerable gen
tleman from Maryland, Mr.. Thomas,l in re-
gard TO his connection with slavery. He said
that his father and grandfather were slayehol-
ders; that he had never been willingly the
owner of single slave, but had liberated elev-
en- human beings. This was said in no spirit
of boasting, and yet 1t was with heart over
flowing with honest pride that he announced
the fact; doubt not that the heart of every man
in the House responded to this feeling. con-
fess l felt grieved and disappointed when q
lite later l saw that gentleman, by his vote
against the resolution providing for concur
rent cpationirecommended by the Pres
ident, and afterwards by his vote against enlan-
cipation in this District, do all in his power,
in his legislative capacity, TO prevent others
from experiencing the same satisfaction
In what have said, Mr.. Speaker, have
not attempted the discussion OF legal, consti-
tutonal questions connected with the meas
ure OF confiscatIou. / leave that TO others
who are better qualified for it. have aimed
to present some general considerations in its
favor, and to remove some general objections,
oil Inv
men from the border States, which | believe
stand more in the way of such a measure than
strictly legal objections. | have alluded TO
the good faith always observed by the North
towards those interested in the institution OF
slavery to the sincere desire always evinced
in her political action to arrive at a peaceful
solution of all difficulties; to the provoked
and atrociouS character of the rebellion and
to the Jealous regard shown by the national
Legislature, and by the Executive, for all con-
stitutional obligations towards loyal EiaTe-
holders. | have referred to the magnanimoCs
tender, on the part of the Executive and Of
Congress, of compensation to all loyal slave
holders, tender made while every industrial
interest of the North Is PROSTATE, and while
her people are staggering under the burdens
which they bearing. have eudeavored
to show that the real, the permanent interests
of the border slave States ale Identical, in
seperabe indeed, from those OF the free States
And now, appeal to the gentlemen who
represent those States on the floor of the
House, if 1t is not time to give up the preju
dices of the past, and to look to the great
facts of the present. and calculate their prob
able influence upon the future. In times OF
revolution events come thick and fast, and
wait not upon measures OF timid policy. IL
this struggle goes on-and to me II seems rot
doubtful that 1t will--no sane man can doubt
what will be the result, so far the institu
ton of slavery is concerned. The North has
acted magnanimously but 1t cannot be sup
posed that she will postpone to slavery the
question of self-preservation. In all kindness
| say to gentlemen from the border States
that what we stand ready to do to-day the e.
vents of o-morrow may put beyond the
bounds of possibility.