Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-11-06
Col. Johnson and the vyilm0t Pro-


Col. Johnson and the yyilm0t Pro-
visO.
The reader, who may have kept himself
,olerably well advised Of Congression-
altransactions, " i'll remember that towards
the close Of Mr.. Folks Administration
when the bill for organizing territorial
Government for Oregon was under con-
sideration, the Wilmot Proviso totidcm
rerJis, was wan,only affixed to it. The
Missouri Compromise line had only ex-
tended to the Rocky Mountains beyond
which, this territory lay. An effort was
made by Southern members to procure
an acknowledgment from the representa-
tives OF the Free States, that the Proviso
was applied TO the bill, because the terri
tory iay north of the line, which would
have been drawn, If the Missouri ComPro-
mise had been extended to the Pacific, but
this they positively refused to do, and
raised the simple issue of a right to
enac, the Wilmot Proviso. For the bill
in this shape-uiM that issue distinctly
made, Col. Joseph johnson, uow the
Democratic candidate for the Cover
norship of Virginia-roted. Mr.. Polk,
in signing the bill deemed it nccessa'
~ to make an'explana,ion and enter pro-
test against this action Of Congress. But
even under these circumstances and not
withstanding the necessities which he al
legged to exist-his Southern friends warm
ly condemned his course in signing the bill.
Col. Johnson's vote was voluntary-and
without protest or explanation. What
shadow Of excuse could he have had /?
What possible apology can his supporters
tho par crcell,nce Southern Rights Par
tv-makc for him!
The facts relating 10 the whole transac-
ton are summed up in the following article
from the Richmond Times. which we hope
every voter in this section Of the state will
not fail to read.
In his letter Of acceptance the nominee
of the Democratic party tor the Office OF
Governor made the truthful admission that
his public career had been "more extended
than brilliant" So slightly indeed has he
imprinted his mark upon the history of the
country, that his opponents have been at
some loss to fnd.in his conduct anything
of prominence, that might become sub
leci of commentary. Still, it must not be
forgotten that he has served for consil-
erable period both in Congress and the
State Legislature, and it is proper that
the Journals should be scrutinzed for the
purpose Of ascertaining for what he has
roted, albeit his mcdiocrity may have saved
him from the prcjudicial consequences Of
making great speeches.
1t has been stated for example, tina,
Col. johnson, during the two sessions
covering the period from 1923 to 1927,
was an advocate of the high tariff policy.
In his Legislative service, we blieve. he
had occasion TO record his vote against the
appropriation to the Virginia and Tennes
see Railroad, and other important public
enterprises; which were sanctioned by the
favor Of the commonwealth, and are now
justly cherished by the people who are
peculiarly interested in them. Into all
these things it will be necessary to make
investigation in order that the claims of Col.
Johnson upon the favor Of the people of
Virginia may be duly appreciated.
For the present we shall confne our
selves to his course in the House Of Repre-
scnta,ives during the second session Of the
goth Congress, the short session of 1876
AZ. We have before us the Congress
ional Globe" containing the official report
Of all the proceedings of that session. Let
us first direct the readers attention to the
amount and value Of the Colonels servi-
ces:
Looking 10 the Index for Col Johnson's
: name, with the usual references to the
pages on hich it figures, we find it enter
cd as follows: Joseph johnson, Of Virgin
ia, 1,2lS. 433"-meaning that whatever
e he did or said during the session may be
, found on pages 1918 and 433.
On,hc lst page, his name is merely re
t corded amongst those OF the Virginia dele
cation who reported themselves on the
first day of the session.
On page 2lSit appears only that
"On motion of Mr.. JOSEF johnson, I'll,
committee on Revolutionary Claims wa.
discharged from the consideration of the
petition of citizens Of Livingston county
New York torinterest on commutaiion pay
to Major Moses Van Camper, and the peii
ton wassla;d on the table"
On page 433, tits recorded that
"Mr Joseph johnson, from the commit
tee on Revolutionary Claims, to " hich wa:
referred the bill from the Senate for the re-
lie. of the heirs Of Crocker Sampson, de
ceased, reported the same without amend
ment. The bill was committed
Such were the only services 10 which
the compilers of the Congressional Globe
thought it necessary to refer in their ample
index of the Hon. Joseph Johnson of Viz.
ginia. during the important short session Of
1857. We suppose that his name does
not occur in any other part ofihc proceed.
ings, except in the lists Of the yeas and
nays. Truly brillient career for a gen.
tleman who is now the nominee Of great
party for the highest office in the gift oa the
people of Virginia!
But, although. the proceedings of 1916
exhibit nothing from Col johnson, that
give warrrnt of his talent or influence, they
t yet serve 10 show something of his politi
cal positions, by their :ecord of his votes
Il happens that Congress and Presiden
Polk then determined one of the most i'm
portant issues involved in the whole slave
ry controversy, and we shall see how Col
Johnson stood with regard to it, We re
fer to the famous bill for the establishment
Of a territorial government in Oregon, ii
which was Incorporated provision for III,
prohibition Of slavery. and by sanctionins
which Mr.. Polk gave up the position Of