The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-03-03
COMMUNICATIONS.
Correspondence OF the Chronicle.
WASHINGTON CITY,

While other subjects come up before Con-
gress for its action the proposed repeal of the
Missouri Compromise is the engrossing topic.
The French Spoliaton bill has passed the
Senate, without producing any marked public
sensation, notwithstanding, its importance
in the amount of money appropriated, and in
the principles involved. The Homestead bill
has been for some time in committee of the
whole on the State of the union, in the House
and after an able exposition of its provisions
by Mr.. Dawson OF Pennsylvania, the speakers
went off upon the Nebraska bill. There was
an attempt made to rule out this discussion,
as out of order, in obedience, it is said to an
order from democratic caucus. The Chair
man, Mr. Olds Of Ohio, sustained the point
and decided it out of order, but in this he was
overruled, on appeal and the debate goes on.
Bills appropriating more lands to Rail Road
Companies, are coming in, and these cor
poratlons are likely to have a good time OF
it. They will be soon, if things 20 on as
they have for few years, great land mon
opolists. These bills,and the Homestead bill
are vastly more inconsistent, in principle
than the Missouri Compromise, and the COM
promise measures OF 1900.
The rumored attempt to silence the vener.
able Editor of the National Intelligencer on
the Nebraska bill, has not had the desired
effect He is still battling for the right in
his usua. able and dignifed manner. It is
gratifying to find this able and candid ex.
ponent OF the republican principles of the
early days of the republic. where SO many
are falling off, both north and south, CON
sistent, and faithful.
In the confusion that prevails in Washing
ton in the various divisions of parties, it i.
not possible to tell what is to be the fate of thi,
measure. 1t is certain that its friends are
less confident, and It's opponents are more
hopeful than they were two weeks ago. /
the people give their servants there convin
cling proof that they are in righ, good earnes,
in their opposition to this breach of faith
this new, and vintil quite re Gently unheard o
aggression tho project will be abandoned, OF
defeated.
There is likely to be q contest between
the friends of the repeal. Gen. Cass claims
for the people of the Territories, the right of
self Government, which coniers upon them
the right to prohibit, or tolerate slavery, as
they think proper, This is opposed by many
if not all the South. Mr.. Chase has moved
to amend the bill, so as to recognise, to some
extent this principle. II is, of course all
pretense. 1t is an attempt to enlist the friends
OF liberty on the side of oppression. 1t is a
blow struck for slavery in the name of liberty.
There never was, and there never will be n
hill fnr tho nj oc n
ernment that will show even decent respect
to this right of tho people to make their own
laws. Congress makes the organic laws, the
constitution of the Government, saving who
shall make their laws, who, or what officers
shall be clothed with judicial, and what with
executive power. la this very bill, the Gov
ernor, who is to be appointed by ,he Presi-
dent,is to be one of the Legislators. No act
passed by him with the council, is to be a
law until approved, by him, and when so ap-
proved Congress retains the power to annul
them. Whatever the people do within the
limitations prescribed by Congress, is still
subject to the VIII of Congress. What would
be the consequence, if the broad principle of
self Government were to be conceded to the
people of the Territoryl In the present state
OF things, five hundred negroes might 90 in
to these territories, and frame government
and pass laws. They might even limit the
right of suffrage to the black male inhabi..
ants over twenty one years of age. Will
the advocates of this devise, take il with all
its logical consequences! fHs ..
The celebrated, and tedious Gardner trial
is likely to be closed in all this month. How
it will terminate, do not learn that any one
is guessing. There is one thing to be com
mended in the course of things pending this
great trial. The Washington press, and the
many letter writers in the city, have permit
ted tho case to proceed, without doing, or
saying any thing to prejudise either party. 4
A Committee has been appointed to in
quire and report touching the ocean steamers
aud the legislation &c. for their benefit