VOL. VI.
WORCESTER DAILY SPY:
PUBLISHED EVERT MORNING AT
813 Main street, (Butman Row,) Worcester,
JOHN MILTON EARLE,
EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
TERMS.
The price of THE DAILY SPY is Three Dollars per
annum, or Seventy-five Cents perquarter, if paid strictly
hi advance.
THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY
is published weekly at the same Office. in
advance, or $2 if not paid in advance.
Worcester and Nashua Railroad.
Change of Summer Arrangement—commencing
~ August 7th, J 850.
TRAINS will run as follow’s :
Leave Arrive at Grot on Nashua and
Worcester at Junction at Lowell at
6.15 a.m. 8.15 a.m. 9.00 a.m.
1 LOO a.m. 12 30 p.m. 1.45 p.m.
4.10 p.m. 5.35 p.m. 6.15 & 7 p.m.
Leave Arrive at Groton
Nashua and Lowell Junction, Worcester,
7.30 a.m. 7.20 a.m. 8.15 a.m. 9.45 a.m.
1 1.30 am. 11 30 a.m. 12.30 p.m. 2.00 p.m.
530 p.m. 5.15 p.m. 6.15 p.m. 7.05 p.m.
1 ITCHBURG AND WORCESTER TRAINS.
Leave Worcester at 6.45 and 11 a. m., and 4.10 p. in.
I eave Fitchburg at 8.15 a.m., and 12.30 and 5.45 p. m.
FREIGHT TRAINS run daily each way between Wor
cester, Groton Junction, Nashua, Lowell and Fitchburg
Al Worcester —the 6.45 a. in train connects with Nor and
Wor. St. Bt. train from New York ; Morning, and Midday
train of the Bos. and Wor , I’rov. and Wor., Nor. and Wor.,
and W. R. R., connect with the 11 A.M. and 4.30 P.M. trains
from Worcester.
At Groton J unction —trains arrive simultaneously at 8.15
A. M., 12 30 and 6 I’. M. from Worcester, Nashua* Boston,
Fitchburg, Lowell, West Townsend, and depart simultane
ously for the above named places at 8.15 a.m.,12 30 & 6 p.m.
At Nashua —Trains arriving from Worcester at 9 A M.
and L 45 P. M. connect with upward trains of the Concord
and Wilton Rail Roads Those leaving Nashua at 7.30 and
11.30 A. M. connect with downward trains of the Concord
and Wilton Railroads.
(CPThis road forms the cheapest and most expeditious
channel of communication for Freight and Passengers be
tween New York City, the southern and southwestern por
iions of England (including the line of the Western R.
Road), and Lowell, Lawrence, and Portland—Nashua,Man
chester, Concord, and all places in the vicinity of the Con
eord, Boston, Concord and Montreal, Northern, & Passump
•ic R. Roads, and Vt. Central R. Road, upward from White
River Junction—Also, to all places on the line of the Fitch
burg, Vt and Mass., Cheshire, Sullhan and Vt. Central R.
Road from Windsor, and Passumpsic R.R. from White River
Junction.
(LT Fare from Nashua to New York. §3 and $2 50; from
Nashua to Providence $2; from Lowell to Providence $1,75;
from Lowell tn New York, $3 and $2 75; from Worcester to
Brattleboro’ $2 50, Worcester and Greenfield, $2.25
J. W. STOWELL,
Worcester, Aug. 7, 1850. dwtl Supt.
Providence and Worcester Railroad.
fS
v »>--
WINTER ARRANGEMENT— On and after Oct. 7, 1850.
TRAINS
Leave Worcester at 7 15 and 11 a.m. and 4 p m.
Leave Providence at 7.45 and 11.30 a.m. and 3.50 p.m.
TRAINS CONNECT at Millville with coaches for Slaters*
ville and Nasouville ; at Uxbridge with coaches for Milford
and Mendon; At Whitins with coaches for East Douglas
and Whitinsville; at Farnmns with coaches for Grafton Cen
tre, N. E. Village and Upton; at Worcester with trains of
Western R. Ruad and Norwich and W. R. R., and Wore,
and Nashua R. R.; At Waterford with trains of Norfolk
<’"unty Rnilroa.-] for mid from Bostou« Dedham. A r
Passengers by the 7.45 train from Providence can arrive
in New York, via New Haven, the same evening.
Passengers by the 3.50 P. M. train from Providence can
arrive at Springfield and Hartford the same evening.
The 11.30 trains connect at Worcester with the Express
Train for New York, which leaves Worcester at 4 P.M.
The 11 A.M. t rain from Worcester connects at Providence
with trains for Poston,Taunton, Fall River, N. Bedford,&c.
The 4 P.M. train connects at Providence with the Boston
and N Y. Steamboat train for New York.
gs Tke 7.45 and 11 A.M. trains do not stop at Hamlet.
XT The 3.50 and 4 P. M. trains do not stop at Ashton or
Hamlet. ISAAC H SOUTHWICK, Snpt.
Sept 25, 1850. dwtf
Norwich and Worcester Rail Road.
w J W T
Arrangement Commencing April 15, 1850.
PASSENGER trains.
Leave Worcester at 6.00 10.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m.
Arrive at Norwich at 9.00 a.m. 1.30 and 7.30 p.m.
Leave Norwich at 6.30 a.m. 12 00 m. and 5.00 p.m.
Arrive in Worcester at 9.45 a.m. 3,00 and 8.45 p.m.
The 6 a ill. Train from Win. will arrive at Norwich in
time to connect with the Line for N. London, Greenport,
and N. Y., via Steamer Alice and the Long Island H R.
Also for Willimantic, Hartford, N Haven and N. Y., via
N. Haren and N. York 11 R.
The 10 30 a.m train from Wor. will leave afterthe arrival
of the Boston * Worcester, Wor. & Nashua, Western, and
INrOVidence H Roads, and arrive at Norwich in time to con
nect with the trains for N Loudon, Stonington, Providence,
Willimantic, Hartford and N Haven, reaching each of these
places the seme day.
1 he 4.30 p.m. train from Wor. will leave after the arrival
of the afternoon trains into that place, taking passengers to
N Y hy the Evening Line of Steamboats, arriving there
,arly the following morning.
The 6.30 a.m. train from Norwich will take passengers ar
riving by the Evening Boa's from N Y., and arrive at Wor.
hi lime to connect with the Morning Trains of the Boston At
Wor., Wor. A Nashua, Western, and Prov. & Wor. RR.
The 12 in. train from Norwich leaves after the arrival of
tlm trains from N Haven, Hartford, Willimantic. N London,
Stonington and Prov., reaching Wor. at 3 p.m., in time to
connect with the afternoon trains from that place.
The 5 30 p.m. train from Norwich leaves after the arrival
of the train from N V., via Greenport and N. London: also
from Hartford, N. Haven, mid Willimantic, reaching Wot.
« lime for the Evening train to Boston.
Passengers taking the 6 a.m train from Wor. can visit ,
erenuport by Steamer Alice, and return the same Evening
STEAM BOAT TRAIN.
The Steamboat Train will leave Allyn’s Point every morn
m" except Monday, at about 1 o’clock, for Boston direct.
Returning, will leave Wor. every Evening except Sunday,
t 7.05.
FREIGHT TR AINS — leave Worcester at 6( a.m., and
Norwich at 91 a.m.—(Daily, Sundays excepted.)
(LzExrnMs Freioht leaves Boston at 12 in., arriving in
Now York next morning.
All Baggage must be delivered to the Baggage Master or
other person authorized to receive it before the Passenger
tithes his seat in the cars.
Baggage will not be taken to include money, merchandize,
sor other articles than those of personal use; and when of
ligher value than Fifty Dollars, notice must be given of that
fact, and an extra price paid, or the Company will not hold
Uelf liable beyond that amount.
No baggage permitted in the Passenger Cars.
No smoking permitted in the Passenger Cars or Depot.
Paseetigors must procure Tickets at the Station Ofllcos.
JOEL W. WHITE, President
April 21 dwtf W. R. R- _
IMPORTANT TO CALIFORNIANS.
17 DLL information relating to passage by Steam
* or Wind, including diirerent Hues, times of
K-iiling, distances, expenses, baggage, etc.,ls rom
innnicated in our new “ Information
gratis. Every body is invited to send for one. Address,
postage paid, nt the Cnlii'urnia Passenger Agency, No. 179
liio i licay, flew ARNOLD BEI'J LM & CO.
BuT Life Insurance done on the Mutual system.
Fur the satisfaction of those to whom we are personally
unknown, we have permission to refer to the following
Members of Congress:
Hon. John <)tin, Maine, Bon. Loren P.\S aldo,Conn.
“ James Meacham, Vt. Win. 11. Seward,N.Y.
“ John P. Halo, N. IL “ Thadeus Stevens, Pa.
“ Charles Allen, Maas. “ 8. P. Chaw, Ohio.
“ Horace Mann, Mass. “ Nath’) Albertson, la.
“ Orin Fowler, Mass. “ Wm. Sprague, Mlah.
“ Thomas Corwin, Secretary, U. «. Treaaur)'.
New York, Aug 29, IbSO. dw *
WANTED?
4 HOWE suitable for two .mall families, In the w*»t
A part of the city. I’oMeaslon to be taken a. soon after
the first of rtcptrimber a* possible. Hout not to exceed ®3OO
•'otuire at thia ofllce. till
Worata Chilli Stow.
w.>■■■■! u ...
RICH SILKS.
AT re nnw offering probably the best assortment
’ J Rich Silk Good, ever exhibited in Worcester.
Among other new styles are
RICH CHAMELION GROS De AFRIQUE;
“ do “ “ ARMURE;
“ do GLACE “ “ RHINE ;
Super PLAIN GROS de AFRIQUE;
Splendid Cliamelion SATIN de CHENE ;
Handsome wide “ Glace’s at 75 cts ;
Chamelioii narrow stripes, Fall Styles at 62‘ cts;
Beautiful seed flg’d Gros de Armure ;
Brodie and Jacquard flg’d SILKS, in rich colors;
O*The above comprises, but a small portion of our im
mense and varied stock of Silk Goods. Many of these wi re
bought of importers, on the best terms, while many others
were imported to our own order, and among these last a
lot of
Superior English Black Silks,
probably the best Silk a Lady can buy for durability, both
of lustre and fabric, and warranted by us in all cases, to
wear without cutting or breaking.
Splendid Black Gros de Paris,
Also, imported fur us, being a very beautiful quality, ael*
ioni found in this country, unless imported to private order.
Also, EXTRA RICH BLACK GRO de ARMURE, one
of those rich old fashioned Silks, that will “stand alone’’
and “stand” the most severe wear as well.
Heavy India Satins,
Another style, like the last, of the old fashioned goods—
hick as a board” and twice as durable.
Superior Black Satin de Cliincs,
Of the best makes and most durable qualities.
3-7 W e believe our assortment of Silk Goods to be far su
perior, in style, quality and cheupneM, to any stock ever
offered in this city—WE KNOW they were bought at the
very lowest prices of any market, and we are satisfied that
WE CAN SELL THEM AT AS SMALL A PROFIT, to
say the least, as any other establishment, and we are sure
that an examination of the Goods will satisfy every pur
chaser that it is for their interest to purchase only of
HENRY 11. CHAMBERLIN & CO.
Oct 2. dw
GREAT SALE OF DRY GOODS
AT
No. 3 Flagg Buildings,
opposite Central Hotel, Worcester,
BY
MARTIN STOWE,
WHERE THE BEST BARGAINS
CAN BE HAD.
HEAD QUARTERS FOR
THE BAY STATE SHAWLS.
sept!B dw6w
FALLOF 1850.
r STOCKWELL has just received the Fall Styles
J. of Goods for Gentlemen’s wear, and will be happy to
lerve those who may please to give him a call.
Also, the NEW YORK FASHIONS for the coining season.
WANTED,
SIX or EIGHT TAILORESS GIRLS,weII acquainted with
the business. Two or three Apprentice GIRLS, to learn
the trade. L. STOCKWELL.
Grafton, Sept 3. dwtf
BAY STATU shawls?
HAVING just completed my arrangements for the exten
sive sale of the BAY STATE MILLS SHAWLS, I
would lake an early opportunity to inform the public that I
have received a large lot of all their different styles and qual
ities and am prepared to sell them at WHOLESALE 01
RETAIL, at AS LOff RATES as they can be purchased
of the Manufacturers.
MERCHANTS from the country can be supplied at my
Store al the Agents’ lowest prices, as my advantages for ob
taining them are equal to any of the largest Jobbing
Houses in Boston. MARTIN STOWE,
No. 3 Flagg Buildings,
Aug 29 dwtf opposite Central Hotel.
Painted Floor Cloths.
WE would call the attention of all persons in want of
Floor Oil Cloths lo onr Ui\USUALL¥ LARGE as
sortment of
SHEET GOODS,
which we cut to any size, or shaped rooms, nr Halls, cheap
er Than can be bought elsewhere in the State.
dw3B B. L. HAROON & Co.
PAPER HANGINGS-
The best assortment in the State.
ABOUT 200 NEW PATTERNS, French mid
American PAPER HANGINGS, just received, and for
sale at prices varying from 4 cts. to $ 1,50 per Roll.
Warranted the CHEAPEST STOCK in the county, by
A. J. BROWN 148 Main Street.
Worcester, Sept. 11, 1850. dwtf.
Hint's
Bonnet Hleachcry,
NO. 133 MAIN STREET.
££ t \ NEW WAY of Finishins
■/v Bonnets, to look nearly as well
118 New for the
Low Price of 25 Cents.
NEW BONNETS & RIBBONS,
a large assortment are now
opening and for sale very low ai
April 4. dwtf FLINT’S, 133 Main St.
Pure Winter Oil, &c.
1 GALLS. WINTER SPERM, warranted.
luVv Bleached Winter Whale.
Spring and Fall Sperm.
Lard and Neats Foot Oil,
AT WHOLESALE OR RETAIL.
Together with a general assortment of PAINTS, DYE
STUFFS, and Manufacturers Articles, on reasonable
terms. E. F. DIXIE,
Jan 9 d6twtf3 247 Main Street.
Professor Barry’s Tricopherous
OR MEDICATED COMPOUND fur the Hair for sale,
wholesale or retail, by SPURR & SIBLEY',
Sept 13 eod&wtf 140 Main-st., Woreaster.
Washing Fluid,
ATrARR ANTED superior to any thing of the kind in use,
1V for »al« al cents per gallon by
SPURR i SIBLEY, 140 M»in-St.,
Sept 13 codiwtf Worcester.
Eddy’s Refined Lamp Black.
THE above constantly on hand and for sale, together
with Englisli and American Lamp Black in papers and
| )ul k b „ SAMUEL C. WHITE,
’ Washington Square, near Western R. R. Depot.
July so eodiwlm
GREAT DISCOVERY.
CURRIER’S OREGON HAIR OIL.
THIS OIL I* prepared by IL C. CURRIER, who la the
1 Ml. Proprietor in the United States, and ia the greatest
discovery in the known world lor the growth of Hair, ami
warranted. It will cause the hair to grow where it has fallen
off, and Is a sure preventative,mid makes itgrow thick,dark
and silky. Price * 1 per bottle. The best of references cue
he obtained from those who have been benefited In this city.
N. B. The money will be paid back, in all cases where
tho Oil does uot give satisfaction. Sole Agents for Worcea
ter, WM. D. FENNO 4 HON, 166 Main-m. dwtf July 7
White Lead, Linseed Oil.
LEWIS’ Pliil ulclphia ami Union Pure White Lead. Dutch
Englisli mid Ainericim Linseed Oil, for aide wholusuli
and retail al the lowest market prices, hy
SAMUEL C. WHITE,
24 Washington Bq., near the Western R. R. Depot.
Feb 87, drop wbru
WORCE STE R, MO N D AY, OCTO BE R 7, 1 8 50.
A CARD.
We beg leave to notify our friends and patron?, and
the public generally, that having completed the addi
tions and alterations in our Store, (of which we gay.
notice last Spring), we have moved back to the NEW
STORE, where we are prepared to Exhibit the
Largest and Best assorted Stock of
FOREIGN & DOMESTIC DRY GOODS,
lor the retail trade, in the State; together with Feath
ers, Hair Mattresses, Painted Floor Cloths, &c. &c.
In all the alterations and improvements we have made
in our Store, we have had comtantly in mind the com
fort and convenience of our customers, and in doing
this we have spared no expense to make our store
Second to none in the State, and having ac
complished this object, we beg to assure our friends
mid the public, that every effort of ours will be to make
our assortment of goods, and the low prices at which
ihey are offered, the chief attraction to our establish
ment; and we desire further to say to our numerous
patrons and friends, that we feel under many obligations
lor the liberal patronage bestowed upon us in years
past, and would solicit its continuance and influence -
Any person who shall receive ungentlemanly treatment
from any Clerk in our employ, will confer a great favor
>y reporting the same to either of the firm,
B. L. HARDON & Co.
( B. L. llardon,
Firm. Z Stephen Sawyer,
(Wm. A. Carey. c sl7,dw3m2»
B. L. HARDON, & Co. CARPET WARE ROOMS.
Sept. 16th, 1850.
CARPETS’. CARPETS’! CARPETS!!!
We have now on hand the largest and best assorted
.tock of TAPESTRY, BRUSSELLS, THREE
PLY, SUPERFINE, and EXTRA FINE CAR
PETINGS; together with a full and complete assort
ment of LOW PRICED all wool Carpetings, Cotton
and Wool Venetian Stair and L st Carpetings, Painted
Floor Cloths, from 3-4 to 6 yards wide, and from 2s to
Ils the yard. Straw Mattings, Rugs, Door Mats, Ma
nilla and Rope Mats, Stair Rods, all wool printed
Bookings, from one yard to four yards wide, and from
87 1-2 cts. to the yard—Linen Stair Bookings,
and every useful article to be found in the largest Car
pet establishments in the country, all of which are en
lirely new and fresh Goods, embracing a great variety
of new and beautiful designs
Never before seen in any market.
We offer these goods to the public, with the assurance
I hat they can and will be sold under any and all cir
immstances, lower than the same styles and qualities
can lie bought in the County, and as low as they can
lie bought in any market in the United States. Persons
from all parts of the State, should visit this establish
ment before purchasing.
All orders promptly.sJisdat io.
c517,8w38 B. L. HARDON & Co.
' 200 PIECES MERINOES,
>F FRENCH, GERMAN AND ENGLISH MANUFACTURE,
JUST RECEIVED, which wo offer for sale at from 2.5 cts.
to $1,50 the yard, and warrant them the best goods in
ho County at the pricer.
6w38 B. L. HARDON & Co.
Damask Towels.
We have received, and offer for sale, a full assort
ment of Damask Towels, Damask Bordered Hucka
buck and Diaper Towels, also a good assortment of
Colored Bordered Diapers, and Rich Basket Towel
ing. All very choice and desirable Goode.
c e 17,6dw38 B. L.HARDON & Co.
Gentlemens’ Furnishing Goods.
We have now on hand, a full assortment of Gentle
men’s Furnishing Goods, among which may be found,
Black, White, and Col’d Kid Gloves, Silk Lined Kid
Gloves, a choice Article, Buckskin Travelling and
Driving Gloves, Black and Fancy Silk Cravats of
choice styles and the very best quality. Silk Scarfs,
very rich styles—Silk and Linen Pocket Handkfs.,
Suspenders, Silk, Woolen and Cotton under-shirts an
Drawers, &c. &c., for sale cheap for cash.
c 517,6w38 B. L. HARDON & Co.
Silk Dress Goods.
In this Department of our Store will be found a very
large stock, embracing upwards of 200 pieces silks, in
livery desirable and fashionable shade of coloring, from
medium to extra quality.
BLACK SILKS.
In this branch of the silk department, we have the
largest Steck ever exhibited in this State, and of styles
and qualities the best made in the world. Any lady in
want of a black Silk that will not lose its LUSTRE by
being wet, or by years of wear, should look at our as
sortment before purchasing. Also, Black Watered
Silks, a Magnificent Quality, the best ever of
fered in this market—all of which will be warranted
not to ent or crack in wear, and will be sold at the low
est prices the same qualities can be bought fur in any
City in the United States.
517,8w38 B. L. HARDON’ & Co.
Shawl Velvets.
We have just received a choice quality of Lyons
Velvets for shawls and cloaks. Also, Shawl Fringes,
New Styles. B. L. HARDON & Co.
c 517,6w38
Hair and Palm Leaf Matrasses.
WE have now in slor o n very large stock of the very best
Hair Mutieates to be round in tlm country. Also
Palm Leaf Manesscs—both of which will be sold for rush,
■is cheap, hy the subscubers, ns they c*n be bought in nn)
n.uket in the United Stall s.
Cw3B B 1.. HARDON & < o.
50 B ’* Crimed Co'ton Dniggots Illis week receiving,
tJ'J and lor sale cheap for cash, by
6w38 H. L. HARDON & Co
25 Pieces Dutch Carpets.
JUST RECEIVED in new patterns. We have just
received 25 I’ieccs genuine Dutch Carpets, of a very
superior quality; better than any ever before Imported
to this Country, to which we ask the attention of pur
ihascrs before buying, as we feel confident we can sell
these Goons 25 per cent cue apkh than they can
re bought elsewhere in the State.
c 517,6dw38 B. L. HARDON & Co.
SPEECH
OF THE
lion. Charles Allen,
At the City Hall, in Worcester, Oct. 5,1850.
PHONOGRAPHIC REPORT BY DR STONE.
[ As the lion, gentleman approached the platform,
he was greeted with three rapturous rounds of ap
plause.]
My friends, as I entered this hall, I could not but
congratulate myself that I was once more upon free
soil; [Cheers] that multitudes of freemen were
around me; that there was no slaveholder here, and
that the word slavery is never mentioned but to ex
press detestation of that relation of man to man.
1 will not say that it was with surprise, and vet it
s a remarkable feature of the times, that I should
perceive, on returning to this district and to this
county, that the state of men’s minds was highly ex
cited. What meant the expressions of anxiety and ■
of determination upon the countenances of men ?—
Why were these indignant denunciations uttered at
the corners of the streets, against the laws which are
supposed to be in force, and the men who enacted
them ? Why these great gatherings of the people
in nightly assemblies ? Do you not know that your
wise men at Washington, without distinction of par
ty, your Websters and your Casses, your Clays
nnd your Dickinsons, forgot old distinctions, joined
hands, and united counsels to restore the peace of the
country ? And do you not know that what their
joint wisdom conceived was executed, that not a sin
gle measure fell to the ground? What meanstheu
this state of dissatisfaction among the people?
Why, fortune long months, you have been accus
tomed to look through the papers for intelligence
from Washington, and to learn ths deep sensation
which was manifested there; the earnest discussions,
the angry contentions on the subject of slavery.—
While you were at peace at home, fearing nothing
for the safety of the government or the preservation
of the Union, for nine long months you looked tow
ard the government at Washington, and what did
you see there but a state of turmoil and confusion ?
And how is it that the scene should all at once be
changed— that measures of pacification should be
adopted at M ashington, which certainly had the effect
of quieting the people there, and yet, after the suc
cessful result of all these efforts, after the feast had
been enjoyed, and the song sung, and the hymn of
thanksgiving had gone up from drunken lips, [laugh
ter] how is it that instead of Washington, it is the
country, every free state in this Union, that is, not
only deeply excited, but indignant at the existing
stats of things—at the laws which have been enact
ed, and at the rulers who have enacted them?
Surely there must have been some mistake.—
Surely there must have been some miscalculation,
lor, when before did our party leaders, forgetting all
their (tends, unite to bring peace, and instead of
peace bring a sword ? I repeat, there must have
been some great error in the calculations of your
wise men. Or can it be, that a higher power has
overruled their counsels, and brought their wisdom
tn n.mgki3 .1.. .l . i ■ ‘
in their own craftiness, and that “the counsels of the
froward have been carried headlong?” [“That is
it.”] Are you in this way to account for the peace
and profound quiet which reigned atWashington, for
the feast and song, for the harmony of feeling and the
mutual flow of soul, and for the fact that throughout
the length and breadth of the country, all is uneasi
ness, all is dissatisfaction ?
My friends it must be that this state of things has
been created by the doings of the Congress, which
has recently been in session. It must be, that some
enormous wrong has been done at Washington, or
this tremendous jury would not unite in one verdict
of disapprobation. Surely it could not otherwise be,
that the freemen of the country, those who deserve
the name, should be thus discontended and dissat
isfied with the condition of affairs.
With your leave, I will briefly take notice of soma
of the doings of the Congress, whose session has just
closed, in connection with that subject which at the
firesent time most deeply interests your hearts. The
egislature of the country met under circumstances of
unusual interest. The nation had been engaged in
a war with a foreign power. Of the character of
that war and of its causes, I will not now speak.
But wo have something to do with the results. As
the fruit of that warfire, the nation acquired by
conquest, as you well know, immense territories,
California, New Mexico, Utah, each sufficient to be
the seat of a mighty empire. It became the imper
ative duty of Congress to legislate for the territories
which had been thus acquired. They were to be
admitted as states, or territorial governments were I
to be imposed upon them, as Congress in its wisdom
should deem to be most proper. This state of things
would present no difficulty under ordinary circum
stances. Congress has many a time, as you all
know, established territorial governments for teiri
tories which had been acquired by the country; and
states had been admitted into the Union, without)
attracting much general observation, or producing
division in the counsels of the country.
There was then no difficulty growing out of the ।
fact that the nation had acquired immense territories
for which it was necessary to legislate. But yet in |
the present instance there was immense diversity of .
opinion. A state of hostile feeling sprung up between
oue portion of the country and another in relation ■
to tho proper disposition of the subject ; and fears
were entertained by some, of confusion at the seat
K of government, and possibly of rebellion elsewhere.
Whence did this diversity arise ? Solely from the
fact that the people of this great country were divi
ded upon the subject of domestic slavery. A large
majority of the inhabitants of the United States desired
that there should be no extension of slavery beyond
its present limits; and they dasired that so far as was
practicable the general government should be absol
ved from all responsibility in relation to it They
lived under a constitutional government intended to
protect freedom. It was formed with the express
acknowledgment on the part of its authors, and of
the people who sanctioned it, that all men were
born free and equal. And in the preamble to the
constitution, it was expressly declared, that one
of the great ends for which it was made was to
secure the blessings of Ebeity for its founders and
their posterity. With the people of the free states
the love of liberty is an inborn and hereditary senti
ment ; slavery they detest nnd they demand of their
government thit it restrain it within the narrowest
limits of constitutional right.
There was, in another part of the country, a class
of persons numbering some 200,000 voters who
were slaveholders. They had obtained control over
fifteen states of this Union, control over the white
inhabitants through the ignorance of the latter, and
through the wealth, power, and influence of the
slaveholder. And in addition to all this power, they
held in bondage 3,000,000 of men, women and chil
dren. Thsy demanded uot only that they should be
allowed still to possess their slaves in the States
in which they dwelt, but they demanded also, that
slavery should be allowed to extend itself into what
ever territories might be acquired by the arms or by
the wealth of this Union. They looked upon the
acquisitions that had been made from Mexico. They
looked forward prospectively to acquisitions to be
made hereafter in the sunny South, on the continent
•nd among the islands of the ocean, and they required
that wherever the arms of the United States should
go, or the power of the United States extend, there
also should be found a market for the human beings
whom they reared for servitude, and of whom thev
| were accustomed to make merchandise. They de
manded that inasmuch as freemen could go to
the territories, to California, to New Mexico, and
wherever the authority of the government extended,
and dispose of their horses and cattle, they too
should be allowed to go, to dispose of their stock, of
their wealth in human beings, whose prices were as
well ascertained and known in the market, as the
prices of horses and cattle in the North. And, from
this antagonistic force,from the opposition of slavery
to freedom, sprung all the difficulties attending the
acquisition of the territories to the United States.
The slaveholder threatened that he would dissolve
the Union, that he would disregard your laws and
your government, and overturn the institutions
which had been formed by your fathers, if you de
nied him the privilege of going with his slaves into
any of the territories of the United States. As a
matter of compromise, as a measure of condescen
sion on his part, he would consent to divide with
you, the territory which had thus been acquired. He
would consent to give to freedom a portion, retain
ing to slavery, another portion, and that the lion’s
share. He would give you the mountains aud the
fastnesses, the barren plains and the sandy deserts,
where freemen might toil if they pleased. But he
demanded for himself the sunnier clime, the more
fruitful soil, the land of easy culture,where he might
go with his slaves and live in luxurious repose upon
the fruits of their labors. But he demanded, as a
right, the liberty of going wherever he pleased, and
with as many slaves as he pleased, into all the territo
ries acquired or owned by the United States,
Now my friends, in this state of high feeling in
every part of the Union, it was apparent that
something must be done for the protection of the
territories, for the preservation ot order, for the good
of our common country. Under these circumstances
the councils of the nation were assembled at
Washington. It was their business to allay, if pos
sible, the angry feelings that existed, and to enact
laws which should promote, not the present merely,
but the permanent welfare of the country.
They saw on the one hand Freedom —that Freedom
which their fathers prized, contending for territory
that had been Freedom’s for a long series of years,
demanding that its soil, free now, should not be pol
luted by the foot of a slave. Itwas maintained that
this demand on the part of freemen was in perfect
consistency with the institutions under which we
live—in conformity with the character of the Consti
tution under which the nation had so long prospered.
Your rulers must have seen that the spirit which
demanded freedom in the territories,.
in the days of the revolution. They must have seen
too, that the sentiment which prevailed throughout
the free states, and with the vast majority of the
country, was not confined to this Union, broad as it
is. They saw that it was a sentiment which had
spread itself throughout the civilized world, which
had gone beyond civilization itself, and had inspired
the counsels of some, whom we call barbarians, and
induced them to proclaim freedom to the captive.
They saw that this sentiment was the sentiment cf
the world, of the civilized world, of the intelligent
world, already, and was fast becoming the sentiment
and principle of man. [Cheers.]
They could not but see, for the footprints were
visible on every part of this globe, that Liberty was
advancing with majestic strides—advancing to hei fi
nal conquest over the world itself. [Prolonged ap-
plause.]
And now, my friends, what should wise men do,
who meet together and constitute the councils of the
nation, under circumstances like these. ? Not what
should office seekers do? Not what should demagogues
do? Not what should mere politicians do? But
what should statesmen do? How should they leg
islate I Should they not legislate for the present
and the future, rather than for the past ?
Should they not legislate in accordance with, instead
of legislating in opposition to, the spirit of the times,
and the spirit of the age? Could they hope to
pour oil upon the troubled waters, to produce peace
where there was contention, and order where confu
sion reigned, by disregarding the spirit of the age,
and the opinions cf mankind, contemning opinions
which were in harmony with the principles of jus
tice, with the throbbings of the human heart and
with the religion to which that heart bowed in horn
age ?
Could they hope by a retrograde movement, by car
rying back legislation and conforming it to the leg
islation of a darker period—could they hope thus
to procure peace, thus to send the nation forward on
its proud career ? Judge ye I You do not profess to
' bo statesmen, none of us assume to ourselves so lofty
. a title. But lam sure, as men of sense, you can
' judge what statesmen ought to do in such circum-
I stances, and I appeal to you, to say what course of
i legislation a sound philosophy, not less than a sense
■ of duty, would dictate, ns the right course lo be pur
sued.
But your wise men camo to a conclusion, to which
neither philosophy nor justice carried them. They
chose to legislate in conformity with the humors,
the interests, and the wishes, of the 250,000 slave
holders who nre supposed to control the votes of
some fifteen states. They disregarded all consider
ations, it seems to ine, but the consideration of per
sonal and immediate advantage. They looked for
ward to the future, only to calculate the chances of
the election of this man or of that man, and disre
garding those considerations which should have been
before their minds, shining upon them day by day
like the light of the sun, disregarding all those con
siderations, they shaped their measures to suit the
few nnd not the many, to suit the past and not the
present or the future, to suit the oppressor and not
the friends of man. [“Shame shame !”] Foolish
men 1 tor however they may have been the idols of
tho people, or however they may have been extolled
for talent, or learning, or knowledge, 1 venture lo
call them, in reference to this scheme of theirs, foolish
and inconsiderate men.
What did they seek to do 1 Instead of taking the
course which was plain and straight before them, in
stead of looking forward anti going forward with the
age itself, instead of perceiving the footsteps of Libert,
and following her in her onward progress, what did
they do 1 They, in their arrogance, not only com
manded the sun of liberty to stand still on Gibeou, but
they commanded it to retrace its glorious career, through
the east, to sink below the horixun. above which iH
norning beams first fell, and bring back the despotic
NO 107.