The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-14
THE MUTABILITY OF STATESMEN ILLUSTRATES

THE MUTABlLIT1 OF
~ Mea change ui fortune change with cmes,
Tenets with books, and principles 10Th tunes"
There seems be nothing fixed stable either in stu
atoms or opinions-tepora mantn, &c, is written upon
mans history in every age and in every country. The
statesmen Of this land are subject TO this general law,
though they have got written constitution We not
going to oppose the truth of this law of muaby, but
design to point out another instance its
In late speech the Hon John Clayton senator from
Delaware he holds the proposition in the bill to allow
aliens in Kansas and Nebraska to these Territories
is absolutely unconstitutional lie not only brings to the
question his powers of intellect but nvokes Mr. CAL
houn to sustain him and with quotations from of the
speeches that distinguished statesman endeavors to inn
press upon the country that the bill organizing the Terri
tories of Kansas and Nebraska is nctured with viola
ton of the federal constitution.
We do not design to answer either Mr.. Clayton Mr.
Calhouns argument but show that they both par
cops eriins any violation of the constitution which may
have taken place on the point in question The section in
the bill organizing the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska
relating to suffrage is in these words.
"SEcToS s. And be further enacted, That every free
white male nhabant above the age years. who
shall be resident of said Territory, and shall pos.
the qualifications hereinafter prescribed shall be entitled
the first election and shall be eligible any Office
within the said Territory but the qualifications Of voters and
Of holding Office at all subsequent elections snail be such
shall be prescribed by the legislative assembly Prorded
That the right Of suffrage and of holding Office shall be
cised only by citizens of the United States and thee who
shall have declared oath their intention to become SUCH
and shall have taken oath to support the constitution Of
the United States and the provisions of this act.
In the Congressional Globe page loo3 July g. s4s vol
ls LIST session 30th Congress there published in full
BILL passed the Senate on that day. organize the
Mrytc for
which Messrs Clayton and Calhoun voted. The bill will
be recognised by the public when it known that
il is the which called that time the Clayton
compromise In that bill the 5th section and reads
thus
That every white male nhabant above the age Of
years. who shall have been resident OF said
Territory the time of the passage of this act shall be en
tied the first election, and shall be eligible to any
Office within the said Territory but the qualifications
holding Office all subsequent elections shall be such
shall be prescribed by legislative assembly: Porded That
the right and holding Office shall be exercised only
by citizens Of the United States and those who shall have de-
ared oath their intention become SUCH and shall
taken oath support the constitution OF the United States
and the provisions Of this act"
There is such similarity between the 5h section Of the
Douglas bill of and the 5th section Of the Clayton bill
Of ls4s that were known that the former is fully
capable Of writing the same might be charged with pa
garsm We do know but his character for originate
t would have suffered anyhow but for the discovery by
Mr. Clayton that the section in the Douglas bin ucon
additional while that in the Clayton compromise of ls4s
free from that objecton though The language and TIE hna
tions the Having disposition to pursue the
subject further and having established the truth Of the
doctrine with which set out would respectfully
fer our readers the editors Of the National Tneger
for any eucdaton they may desire
In editorial in that paper about the 3lst Of July s4s
they hailed the birth Of the bi which after most labo
rious and trying debate passed the Senate the 2sh7
Since the passage Of the bill organizing Kansas and Ne
brask like others their eyes have been opened the fact
that we are living under written constitution.