Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-11-24
THE VlRGINIAN.



al transactions, will 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. totidem
rer6is, was wantonly affixed to it. The
Missouri Compromise line had only exten-
ped to the Rocky Mountains-beyond
which, this territory lay. An effort was
made by Southern members to procure an
acknowled gment from the representatives
! of the Free States, that the Proviso was
applied to the bill, because the territory
lay north Of the line, which would have
been drawn, if the Missouri Compromise
had been extended to the Pacific: but this
they positively refused to accord, and
raised the simple issue of right TO enact
the Wilmot Proviso. For the bill in this
shape-aeiM that issue distinctly made,
Col. Joseph johnson, now the Democrat
c candidate for the Governorship of Vir-
ginia-uoted. Mr.. Polk, in signing the
bill, deemed it necessary to make an ex-
planatlon, and enter protest against this
action of Congress. But even under these
circumstances and notwithstanding the ne
cessiiies which he alleged to exist-hs
Southern friends warmly condemned his
course in signing the bill. Col. Johnson's
vote was volun,ary-and without protest
or explanation. What shadow OF excuse
could he have hadl What possible apollo
gy can his supporters-the par excellence
Southern Rights Party-make for himl
The facts relating 10 the whole transac-
ton are summed up in the following arii-
Gle 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 for 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 find in his conduct anything
of prominence, that might become a sub
ject of commentary. Still, it must not be
forgotten that he has served for a conside-
rable period both in Congress and the State
Legislature, and 1t is proper that the jour
nails should be scrutinzed for the purpose
of asccrtaining forwhat he has uoted, albeit
his mediocrity may have saved him from
the prcjudical consequences of making
great speeches.
Ii has been stated, for example, that
Col. johnson, during the two sessions COW
ering the period from 1928 to 1927, was an
advocate the high tariff policy. In his
Legislative service, we believe. he had oc
casion TO record his vote against the ap-
preparation TO the Virginia and Tennessee
Railroad, and other important public en-
terprisc.; which were sanctioned by the
favor Of the commonwealth, and are now
justly cherished by the people who are pc
cuarly interested in them. Into all these
things ii will be necessary to make investi-
cation in order that the claims Of Col. John
son upon the favor of the people Of Vir-
gina may be duIy appreciated.
For the present we shall confine our
selves to his course in the House of Re-
presentalives during the second session of
the 29th Congress, the short session Of
1867 We have before US the "Congres-
sional 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 Coloners services:
! Looking to the Index for Col. Johnson S
name, with the usual references TO the
pages on which it figures, we find it enter
ed as follows: "Joseph johnson Of Virgin
ia, 1,2lS, 433"-meaning that whatever
he did or said during the session may be
found on pages 1,2lS and 433.
On the 1st page, his name is merely re-
corded amongst those Of the Virginia dele
CATION who reported themselves on the first
day Of the session.
On page 2ls it appears only that
"On motion of Mr.. Joseph Johnson, the
committee on Revolutionary Claims was
discharged from the consideration of the
petition of citizens Of Livingston county
New York, for interest on ,commuatlon
pay to Major Moses Van Cam pen, and the
petition was laid on the table"
On page 433, it is recorded that
"Mr Joseph johnson, from the commit
tee on Revolutionary Claims. to which was
referred the bill from the Senate for the re-
lief Of the heirs of Crocker Sampson, de-
ceased, reported the same without amend
ment The bill was committed.
Such were the only services Ito which
the compilers of the Congressional Globe
thought it necessary to refer in their ample
index of the Hon Joseph johnson of Vir-
ginia, during the important short session of
1s46-'47. We suppose that his name
does not occur in any other part Of the pro-
oeedings, except in the lists of the yeas
and nays. Truly brilliant career for a
gentleman who is now the nominee Of a
great party for the highest Office in the gift
Of the people of Virginia!
But, although, the proceedings Of 1916
z exhibit nothing from Col. Johnson.
that give warrant Of his talent or influence,
they yet serve to show something of his
political positions, by their record of his
votes. 1t happens that Congress and
President Polk then determined one Of the
most important issues involved in the whole
slavery controversy, and we shall see how
Col. johnson stood with regard to it. We
refer to the famous bill for the establish
meht of territorial government in Ore
gou, in which was incorporated provision
for the prohibition ofslavery. and by sane
tioning which Mr.. Polk gave up the posi-
ton of the South and allowed the North
to gain the vantage ground in the outset of
the contest. We quote from the record:
DEc.-23, 1916. "Mr. Douglas, from the
committee on the Territories, reported a
bill to establish a territorial government in
Oregon, which was twice read and refer
red to the Committee of the Whole on the
state ofihc Union. and made the especial
order of the day for Tuesday. the 9Th of
| January next"