Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1851-04-24
GLASGOW MISSOURI THURSDAY, APRIL sA, 1851.

rights and Liberties Of the people are
made 10 depend upon the capricious
will of ma jori'y. Let this doctrine
obtain, and the strong can overpower
the weak, and the lawless bid defiance
to the Just and law abiding.
Considering the views of Col. Ben.
ton radically wrong on the questions
Of the powers of Congress, federal,
and dangerous in their tendencies to
the safety ofthe Union, and against the
interest and prosperity of the cherished
institutions of our own State, | pledged
myself, if elected by YOU, not to vote
for him 10 the United States Senate,
and that would use all my influence
and vote for some whig who denied
this fearful power, if such an one could
be found; that if no whig could be
found who denied the power, rather
than vote fer one who acknowledged
it, would vote for democrat who
denied it.; that, in no event. would |
vote for any one, Wing or Democrat,
who ackno owledged such o power in
T Congress, under the Constitution; that
in all my legislative acts, as your rep.
resentative, should observe the Wing
policy, such as had ever marked my
course in past life. Under these plcdg.
es you elected me by flatterng ma.
jority, for which beg you to accep,
my unfeigned thanks.
When we assembled, the first thing
was 10 organize the two Houses. la
the House, as was expected, much
difficulty and delay were experienced.
The Wings selected for their candi
date Gen. Na,haniel w. Watkins, of
Cape Giraradeau; the Anti.Bsnton
Democrats selected Col. Ferdinand
kennett, of Washington county, and
the Benton Democrats selected Capt.
, Stevenson, of Franklin county. With
these selections, several days balloting
ensucd, and finally by the withdrawal
of Col. kenneIt, sufficient number Of
Anti Benton Democrats voted for Gen.
, Watkins to elect him, giving os a
Whig Speaker. Being organized, the
, legislation of the country commenced
in the midst of Intense, but calm ey,
citement. Both Houses met in joint
session, in the second week, 10 elect
Senator. Before the election came
on, the Wings met in caucus, and can
vassed the names and prelensions Of the
various gentlemen Of the Whig party,
spoken OF for Senator. In this Whig
meeting, made the same avowals and
pledges | made to you--which were,
, that | would vote for no whig who did
! not deny this power, and that | made
> the opinions of gentlemen on the ques-
ton of the power Of Congress to re-
/ strict slavery in the territories 20 test
f of their Wing orthodoxy" Before this
meeting assembled. letter from MIR.
Geyer, addressed 10 Senator frem 81.
i, Charles, Mr. Allen, had been shown 10
me, and other wing members, which
contained, in our opinion, the true doc
2 trine on ,hIs subject, and which bu,
1 confirmed the previous view we en-
. tertained of his opinions. This letter
was published afterwards, and you have
y, doubtless all read it. 10 that letter, Mr.
. Geyer holds the following language in
p reference to tho power of Congress
viz:
9 There is known 10 exis. among the
=. wings, in oil parts Of the Union, a differ
ence OF opinion on the constitutional su
! thority OF Congress to lsgislats on the sub
$ sot OF slavery; and although you have no
: iuquired OF me on tha. subjsct, it is due tC
II you, as we'll as myself. that should an
!; nounce my opinion. therefore say that
J. do not beleve that Congress has any con
0 stiutional power 10 establish or prohibi
10 slavery either in the Territories or in tn
II District OF Columbia. OF course | coul'
,e not se induced to CO operate in, or counte
in nance any such legislation; but, if the pOwe
+ existed; should be none the less oppose
a 10 its exercise.
= ain my judgment no power, howeve
y plainly granted, should be exercised by leg
islation, which can be Of no benefit 10 III
'g government or people Of the United States
n and yet conflicts with The interests and feel
e ings ola large number Of the psople an
al States OF the Union, especially where it
re tendency is to defeat cny one or more Q
~ The great ends for lvhict the conStitutio
N and government acre ordained and eaat
n. HShed, and this is precisely The descripio
m of legislation so much pressed upon Cor
of gress, Of late. Ii can benefit none, net eve
~ the slave; for here it does nothing but
, confne him TO slavery 10 certain dslric
u. 1t interdicts the new territories 10 bol
nc master and slave, unless the master wi
~ consent to dissolve that relation, by confer
re ring on him new master; and in that cas-
a the slave is not bene6Ited, while the mai
rs ter's right is impaired.
&C. "But while such legislation can do n
r1 good, i. lie full Of positive evils, it assais ii
o. character and lhrsslens 10 subvert the inst
n. utions Of fifteen Saes-deslroy the conf
of dence OF their people at once in the securil