Year: 1862

nj.
that he will be found In the anks OF those
who will say II Is time to initiate party for
the abolishment Of slavery, to make his own
great State Of Virginia what II would have
been but for this institution long ago. Let
me call my friends attention to one fact
have mentioned It here In argument . long
time ago on this subject; and then let mo
ask question rs to his own cities. Virginia
has as much territory as all New England,
or within very few thousand square miles.
Il is vastly superior to II In every particular.
Il has mines in its bosom Il has water pow.
er unequaled, certainly unsurpassed; II has
facilities for trade which are not surpassed
in any other quarter; II has all the elements
of greatness to an extent which no other ter
ritory Of equal dimensions can be said to
have, for manufactures, for commerce, and
for agriculture. In the days Of the Reyolu-
tion 1t had more population than all New
England 1t had more commerce; II had
more wealth. Compare the State Of Virgin
Ia rs 1t was when this rebellion broke out,
with New England, and sce the difference
between the two. At that day you had los
than million Of white population and we
had three millions. In all tho branches Of
national life, even in agriculture, We are
vastly your superi6rs 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 IN institution which we had not
and If that has been the effect, why not be.
gin among yourselves to mako OF that terri
tory the great empire which she Is capable OF
making, instead oi on all occasions when Wa
mention the subject Of slavery on this floor,
flying into fame, as IL We designed to at
tack your institutions instead Of merely ap-
pealing to you 10 place yourselves where you
ought to be In comparison with the nations
of tho earth. What say with regard to
Virginia is true in q less degree Of many
other Southern States, Kentucky particular
ly. Ii seems to me the most marvellous thing
in the world-l cannot understand Il; have
not been able to comprehend it-how en-
lghtened statesmen, such ~ have seen on
this floor representing these great States,
should exhaust themselves In saying hozan.
no. to the institution Of slavery. which has
belittled them, while other people, not 30
we'll situated as themselves, have been grow
ing comparatively great.


/ would rather wish that all men were like
my friend from Missouri MIR. Henderson, in
some particulars, % far US can judge. Ho
made u speech here tho other day which is
worthy of all praise. | did not agree with
all he said, but the tone. tho temper, and tho
Kindness with which il was spoken, the whole
spirit of the speech from the beginning to
the end was such that IL 1t could have been
initiated on both sides Of this chamber for
the last ten years, 1t might possibly have
aycrtcd tho trouble we arc now enduring;
and II II could be initiated now by tbosc who
come into this chamber from one section of
the country and another, and we could ap-
proach this question and discuss II with kind
ness, such as wo ough, to feel towards each
other, at the same time with frmness and o
resolution to tell the whole truth with regard
to Il, looking upon the matter as national
question, there would soon be an end of bick.
ering at this Capitol. With such spirit,
thus carried out, by those who come here,
not with feelings which the honorable Sena-
tor from Indiana seems to suppose will DO
brought by those who are to come after us,
but with the catholic spirit Of looking at tho
interests OF the whole country with reference
to any thing peculiar in either section, this
nation would be placed upon foundation 50
strong and sure that nothing in the world,
and oil tho nations of the world, could not
move 1t from its base..


Mr.. President, have been wandering far
beyond any thing that intended to cay on
this subject. The question before ths-Scn-
ate. rs | said before, does not admit OF argu-
mcnt. The simple question to be presented,
in my Judgment, Is, have we the constitu-
tional power to abolish slavery In this Dis
trict? To that l have answered, 90 far as
am concerned. Is 1t expedient? Isay It Is
not only so, but nece~ary-nccessary now
that we have the power TO carry out tho
principles upon which We have acted for
many day; necessary with regard to pub
lie opinion at home; necessary with regard
to public opinion abroad. We could not
hold up our heads before the nations Of the
world II we should lose this opportunity;
and therefore am for taking advantage Of
il. To be sure, might have choice as to
the particular provisions of the bill.
might prefer, if it suited others, that the
emancipation should be gradual. am not,
however, fixed ut all upon that. am not
certain I should prefer 1t. Our reputation
would be better, In my judgment, to do Il In.
stantly, because then no danger can come
Therefore, sir, am ready to take any bill
that will accomplish the purpose which does
not undertake to manifest injustice to those
upon whose interests we arc to act. At any
rate, the great and broad interests Of human
ity, and the necessity Of upholding our ma.
tiOnal character In the eyes OF oil men, and
showing to the world thai we have not been
dealing with mere falsehoods, but arc In ear.
nest, demand this much at our hands; and
for one am ready to exercise my share OF
power in putting an end TO African slavery
upon this spot, at once and forever.