The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-29


being the bill authorizing The construction of six first
class steam friga,es Mr.. Lyon said he should move
to amend the bill by increasing the number to twelve
He made powerful speech The importance of main
tanning AN efficient naval force. Mr.. franklin adj
dressed the committee al length against the Nebraska
bill Mr. Barksdale obtained the floor when the COM
mitiee rose, and the House adjourned.
The Presidents Position.
In the conversation between President Pierce and Sem
ator James, which referred TO by COL Clemens in his
letter TO Mr. Davis of Alabama, the President declared
that he desired eosteaent his opinions on the
Nebraska question This has been his policy from the
beginning of the discussion which followed the n,roduc
ton of the Nebraska bill But in the face OF this open
and spoken course his position has been the subject
OF constant Misrepresentation and caumny. Thepublca
ton of Col Clemenss letters will render impossible
hereafter for any honestly misunderstood the posi-
ton OF President Pierce To contribute to the removal of
all for future misconstrucon or Misrepresentation
we epublsh much of these letters as is necessary TO
correct understanding of the actual position OF the
President. as follows
Erbaa from Col Csmsns's Letter TO Mr. Davis,
But few days since. in conversation with a northern
and my'eI he president Piercel gave it as his
decided optaioa that Douglass bill a proposition 10
favor Of freedom, and added that, IL il should pass
though might absorb the whole OF Mexico.
STATE WOULD EVER CONE INTO THE UNION. HE TX
SURPRISE NIT wrTH FROM
THE NoKrH AND EQUAL SURPRISE SouTH snQULD
WILLING TO TAKE agreed with Inn fully, and could
help recurring 10 the by which the Greeks
effected The destruction of Troy"
Extract from Co. Clements LITTER to President Pierce
IN my letter Mr. Davi.I did pretend 10 give your
uage, except where quota, ion used and
from the subsequent conversation with you think very
probable that misunderstood the purpor of your remarks
upon this particular point Your surprise may have been
expressed that the of the North should hesitate 10
for Douglass bill when the South willing TO take
and, If had paid attention the whole conversation
doubt such would have been the impression le on
my mind.
." have never sought conversation with you upon the
subject OF the Nebraska bill but every have heard
you mention the subject you have uniformly expressed
yourself warmly in favor OF the principle OF the BILL viz
the principle Of the right Of the people OF Territories
regulate the question OF slavery for hemselvesa doc
rino from which dlsented; and knew we were not
at all likely to sought disc ussion Of the ques-
ton.
You have assured me always that you thought il best
for The whole country and insisted that patriotic in
both sections ought to take H. thought South Just be
the loser. think understood you to place il
upon the ground that the principle right in it.e and
works for or against particular section has
right 10 complain that you for the Of both
tions, and willing take any quence that fol.
low the practical carrying OF those rights you under.
stood Them
These extracts, taken together as we understand the
matter contain the position occspied by The President
the Nebraska question, from The introduction OF the
bill TO the present line. Tie planted himself from the
bret upon the principle Of non-inteyenon viz: THE
PRINCIPLE or THE RIGHT THE PEOPLE OF THE TrR.
RITosIEs TO REGULATE rHE QUESTION SLAVERY ron
THEMSELVES, SUBJECT TO PROVISIONS or THE
CONSTITUTION" In other wofds. be willing to COM
mt TO the people OF the Territories now and hereafter
all the control which Congress may consuonally ex-
ercise over the subject Regarding The bill a. based
upon this principle, he " always thought il best for
The whos country, and insisted that patriotic men
in beth section, ought TO take IT," He stood upon the
conviction that "he pr'aeipk ,ight ia Itself, and, if
works for or against particular section, no one has
right to complain" lie fof the rights OF both sec.
tons, and willing TO take any consequences that nigh,
follow the practical carrying out OF these rights, he
understood them lie surprised that the true men
OF the North should hesitate support the bill when the
South was willing to take il This surprise was ex.
pressed to northern senator who was known TO be op
posed to the measure and n presence OF southern man.
who was also known to be opposed TO il To two gentle
men thus agreeing in their position 10 the bill but dis
agreeing as 10 The practical consequences Of its passage
and to the soundness OF the principle on which rested
The President with undsgused franknes and character
isiic candor, affirmed his devotion to the doctrine
Of popular ssuusignv, and avowed bis readiness 10
take any consequences oi might foio1 ON tsst prinepis
He expressed his conviction The practical con.
sequences OF The adoption Of the principle OF The bill
and declared that in his opnlon the assertion OF the
principle OF popular Sovereignty was in ITSELF PROPOSE.
toD in favor OF freedom Whether this opinion as 10
practical results is well founded not will doubtless con-
tnue 10 be The theme Of earnest discussion We have al
ways believed that there certain fixed laws of climate
and production which, in connexon with the laws Of self
settle The question Of slavery IN every locality
The adoption OF The intervention principle removes all
distractions TO the operation Of these natural lave and
il 10 on that that the President he. given il his
support. II bis opinion had been that The prac
ical consequence would have been Thai additional slave
States wonId he admitted into the Union his supper,
OF the principle would have been as jealous and
determined II is with his present opinion on
the subject He does no, support the bill because il
will. in bi, opinion, result, in excluding more