The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-10-28
244
A Remarkable Speech Ex-senator Achison-
Ssecref History Of the Nebraska Bill.

Senator Atchison. of Missouri, on the
death of Mr.. VIM. r. King, Vice President
elect. was chosen by the Senate of the United
States the presiding officer of that body
He lives far in the interior of Missouri, in
what is known as the Platte country. For
several years he has made sideway attempts
to get the Missouri Compromise restrictions
repealed. There is town now in embryo,
in the Kansas territory, which has been
called Atchison, in honor Of the SENATOR
On Wednesday, the Goth Of September, al
large number of Missourians and other peo-
pie assembled there to attend the land sales
in that vicinity. Among the rest, came
Senator Atchison, and as he is candidate
for reelection to the United States Senate,
he availed himself of the opportunity toI
printed in the ST. Louis Intelligencer, copied
from the Parkville Luminary of the 26thI
ult. 1t contains statements of character
so extraordinary that we regret it was not
published uerbatim as delivered. We re-
quest the attention of our readers to it:
Gen. Atchison mounted an old wagon and
snade speech. He commenced by alluding|
to the beautiful country which was now be-
ginning to be settled-to some of the Cir
cumstances amid which territorial govern
ment was organized-and in the course of
his remarks mentioned how Douglas came to
introduce the Nebraska bill with the repeal
clause in it. Senator Atchison said that,
for himself. he is entirely devoted to the i'll
terests of the South, and that he would sac
rifice everything but his hope of Heaven to
advance her welfare. He thought the Mis-
souri, Compromise ought to be repealed-he
had pledged himself in his public address to
vote for no territorial organization that
would not annul it-and with this feeling
in his heart, he desired to be chairman of the
Senate committee on Territories when bill
was to be introduced. With this object inl
view he had a private interview with Mr.
Douglas, and informed him of what heI
desired-the introduction Of bill for Ne
braska like what he had promised to vote
for, and that he would like to be chairman
of the committee on Territories in order to
introduce such a measure, and if he could
get that position he would Immediately re-
sign as Speaker of the Senate. Judge Doug
las requested twenty-four hours to consider
the matter, and said-if, at the expiration of
that time he could not introduce such bill
as he (Mr. Atchison) proposed, which would
at the same time accord with his own sense
Of right and justice to the South, he would
resign as chairman of the Territorial COM
mittee, in democratic caucus, and exert his
influence to get him (Atchison) appointed.
At the expiration Of the given time, Senator
Douglas signifed his intention to report
such bill as had been spoken Of
Gen. Atchison next spoke Of those who
had supported and those who had opposed
the bill in the Senate, and remarked that
Northern democrats came up nobly to the
work, but that Northern wings had proved
recreant to the cause Of justice and right.
Southern men, he said, acted as they should
have done, with. he was sorry to say, two
exceptions. A voice in the crowd here
called out Bell and Houston.] Yes, he said,
these were the men, one whig, and one demo-
crat-both aspirants for the Presidency
but, poor miserable deUils, they had made a
false step-and, he might say now, he (Atchi-
sony had fairer chance for that high honor
than either of them. The American people
loved honesty, and could appreciate the acts
of man who openly and above board voted
according to the will Of his constituents
without regard to political favor.
Senator Atchison next alluded to the
slavery question as it is now being agitated
in our community, and closed by expressing
lis profound contempt for abolitionists and
their Vaccinations. and said that if he had
his way he would hang every one that dared
cIo,,- hi foc baro In rafaraOca bo,,-a,-or