Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-03-30
Still Silent.

We have been very much puzzled to know what IS
the meaning of the strict silence our Democratic co.
temporaries in this quarter, keep over the subject
Of the Clemens letters. Not word can YOU hear
from them to the point and those who do their read
ers the justice Of copying those letters or extracts
thereirom, akepartcular pains do so without COM
ment Not even the second edition of the President,
views issued by Mr.. Jerre Clemens, to set all things
right, can so much call forth their notice, What
can the matter be We very much fear something
has gone wrong. There must be screw loose some
where, or we should have heard from them before
this We understand that it is very strongly suspec
ted by them, after all Mr.. Clemens efforts at expa
milton, that the long and short of the whole matter ;
that the Presidents idea Of the Nebraska Billlomont
to proposition in favor of freedom" in the wov If
General Casss 'abominabe doctrine of snuatter so,
ereignty" and that he still holds fast to his nop n
reply to JoHS p HALE, as reported in bis homo ~,
gan, the New Hampshire Patriot OF June 10 1s45
on the question Of the annexation of Texas. viz
THAT THE ONLY DIFFICULTY IN MS MIND Eyrn nan
BEEN THAT OF A RECOGNITION ANY new ACT OF orR
GovERSNIST INSTITUTION or DOMESTIC g, ,,s-
RT,"-that he still "regards slarcry as one of N,
greatest moral and social eUi-a curse uDo1 HE ,5oL
country"
I'D
they have conversed with the President and knou,
him TO be in favor Of the Nebraska bill But u,or
what terms is he in favor Of itY As "a pronosi,io
in favor Of freedom"as recognizing sgvatt,r soy,.
Teign,y, or notg What construction does presdo,,
Pierce put upon the bill? That is the question for
them to settle, that his position is so very equiv
ocal His interpreter, Mr. Clemens, informs them in
the second letter he puts FORTH that every time ho
heard the President mention the subject he unirorm
~ expressed himself warmly in favor of the prncipe
OF the bill, viz the principle Of the right of tho pco
pie OF the territories toreguate the question Of slavery
ior themselves They are left in the dark, however
whether the people shall regulate the question II
forming territorial legislature (squatter sovereign
ty,) or wait till they come to form State consG,n
tion. Upon this the whole matter hinges.
Now, VIC think it high time this yexed question
was settled. It was rumoFcd, a short time AGO tbo,
delegation OF Southern members were to yyoi, ,nor
President Pierce and hear him define his position
straight out this question: 80 that there should M
longer be any ground left for shutting Perhaps ou
Democratic contemporaries in this quarter who are 3,
mum at present, arc very patiently awaiting the re-
port Of that committee Upon that supposition onl,
can We account for their marked silence so far ON
matter that involves materially "the vital Interest,"
ofthe SOUTH and over which they have all alon,
assumed to themselves a spociaE guardianship.
Let us have the committees report as soon as pos
dble, or Mr. Clemens will have 10 write another let
Ter before our Southern Democratic friends are reey
I'd nom their agony OF suspense.