Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-12-24
Messrs. Howell Cobb, A. III. stephens, an,
Ciingman.

Messrs. Howell Cobb, A. III. stephens, and
Ciingman.
II Is interesting to examine the past history
of politicians, and TO compare their former
acts with their present position. The debate
which took place in the House during the past
week excited our curiosity, and caused us to
examine into the history Of tho present lead
crs Of the faction, which is now, in obedience
to the command of the President, preventing
an organization Of the House Of Representa-
tives. Messrs. Cobb, Stephens, and Clingman,
during the recent political campaign, thrust
themselves forward as the peculiar champions
of the South and its institutions, and Mr.. Cobb,
day or two ago, assumed the leadership of
the Irish Brigade ON the floor of Congress-
These three gentlemen dcnounce and charac-
terize all men who opposed the repeal Of the
Missouri Compromise as false TO their obliga-
tons, and recreant to the true interests Of the
country. Messrs. Stephens and Clingman
were formerly Wings, and in those days. when
they professed to love principle better than
self, their denunciations Of Democrats were as
bitter and as frequent rs their laudationshow
are fulsome and sycophantic. 3s
This trio of Southern hotspurs, has assum-
ed the leadership Of the South, and planted it.
self firmly and immovably upon the squat
ter sovereignty" principle, as established in
tho Kansas Nebraska bill, and with that non
chalGncs 50 becoming the political tricksters
Of the present day, they have determined to-
sever the Union Of the States, unless all men
and the "rcst Of mankind" yield a willing
and servile obedience TO the "squatter sover-
eighty" principle, and acknowledge its con-
stitutionality, expediency, and justice. They
claim that any person lioing, stopping or so
journina in any Territory at the time Of its or
ganization, shall participate in moulding the
institutions and form Of government Of the
embryo State, be he Hindoo, Hottentot q
South Sea Islander, or Guinea negro. Moth
ing else must be required but to breathe the air.
This is the programme of Cobb, Stephens,
Clingman, & Go. To show to the country, and
the South particularly, the real character Of
these prominent and disenterested politicians,
we have examined the Congressional Globe, as
far back as 1844s and now propose to show
wherein they have violated the principles of
"squatter sovereignty" by which they now
swear to stand or fall.
Ono of the Texas annexation resolutions
reads as follows:
New States, of convenient size, not exceeding
four in number, in addition to said State of Texas
md having sufficient population may hereafter by
consent of said State be formed out of the terrific
ry thereof, which shall be entitled to admission
under the provisions of the Federal Constitution,
And such States as may be formed out of that
portion of said territory lying south of 80 deg 80
min. north latitude, commonly known as the Mis-
souri, Compromise line, shall be admitted into the
Union with or without slavery, as the people of
each State asking admission may DESIRE Afd in
such State or States shall be formed ont of said
territory, north of said Missouri Compromise iine
sidrery Involuntary serpittde srcept for crinss
SHALL BIZ PROHIBITED"
For this Messrs. Cobb, Stephens, and Cling
man voted. 1t will be observed that the words
(" State or States" are employed, thus not only
applying the Missouri Compromise line to the
Territory, but to the " State or States" which
might be formed of the territory constituting
then portion of Texas, and lying north of SO
deg. 80 min. Is not the latter clause of this
resolution similar to the Wilmot Provisof"
And for it these three leaders voted. They, by
their own acts, in 1916, applied the "wilmot
Proviso" to portion Of the territory to which
they now apply the "squatter sovereignty"
principle and the distinguished Senator from
Illinois Oouglas) is the author of the above
slavery prohibition, and the "squatter sover
eighty" principle. Win these gentlemen tell
us they are in favor Of applying tho "squatter
l.u - .,.I
to Statcsf Will they tell us they are in favor
of the people (be they sojourners or residents)
of the Territories framing their institutions to
suit themselves, and opposed to the inhabitants
Of the State or States" doing the sameP
Win they tell US they are in favor Of apply
ing the "Wilmot Proviso" to Texas and not
to Kansas, or win they tell US the Wilmot
Proviso" and "squatter sovereignty" are sy-
nonymous terms? The last seems to be the
most reasonable explanation for their course.
Here is the record Of the Southern members of
the House who voted for this Texas Wilmot
Proviso:
Geoygia-Edward J. Black, Alexander H. Ste
phens Hugh A. HARRISON, John III. Lumpkin, How
ell Cobb, aud William II. Stiles.
South Carotina--James A. Black Richard r.
simpson, Armistead Burt, Isacc E. Holmes, and r.
Barnwell Rbett.
North Cdroiind--Thomas l.. Chngman, Daniel
M Barringer, David s. Reid Edmund Deberry,
Romuus N. Saunders, James J. Mckay, John r.
Daniel, and Archibald H. Arlington.
Mississippi Thompson.
Louisiana--John Slidell, Alcee Labranehe, and
J. B. Dawson.
Missouri--Gustavus M. Bower, JAS b. Bowlin,
James II. Relic, and James M. Hughes.
drkdnsas--Edward Cross.
Virginia-- Archibald Atkinson, Geo. Q. Drom-