True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-11-28
The Coming Congress.

on tne nret MonuaY OF OccenpeI heAt, WIZ
devolve more important duties, and the
of grayer questions thar have
occupied the attention Of the National Leg
islatnre for many years. The threatening
aspect Of eur foreign relations, and the in-
tricacies growing out Of the various phases,
of our domestic policy will demand careful
treatment, and will require for their sue
eessfIil management oil the wisdom and
patriotism which that. body can bring to
bear upon them. The difficulty which will
present itself at the very outset Will be
that of an organization oil the House by
the election of Speaker and Clerk. 1t is
true that the opponents Of the National
Administration are in majority; but,
though united in their opposition to the
general policy of the epresen. Cabinet, there
are probably some questions on which they
do not all agree, and the danger is that
these may produce divisions, and prevent
them from acting in concert, even in the
selection of Presiding officer. The Ad-
ministration hopes and believes that such
will be the case, and every nerve will be
strained to foment dissenson and preclude
n cordial union. Whilst we think that the
next Speaker should come from the North,
the northern members preponderating so
largely in the opposition, land if this be
conceded, would press upon the House the
claims of Pennsylvania, we would be per-
fectly willing, in order to secure harmeni-
GUS action, to see placed in the Speakers
Chair any well qualified Southern member
who is opposed to the Nebraska bill, and
the lawless acts of the border ruffians con-
sequent upon its passage.
The organization once effected, the next
question which looms up into the public
view is that Of the admission Of Gov. Rec
der or Gen. Whitfield as tho Territorial
delegate from Kansas. Upon this subject
we have expressed our views, at some
length, in previous article. In this mat
ter the opponents Of the Nebraska bill
should present firm and undivided front.
The Administration has selected its posi-
lion, and will contend that Congress has no
right to go behind the certificate of his
election, which its own tool, Gov. Shannon,
has given to Gov. Reeder's opponent. Pres
ident Pierce is fully aware that ifthe Whole
question is thrown open, and thorough
and searching investigation instituted, the
baselessness of Whtfeld's claim would be
at once exposed, and the stupendous frauds
perpetra ted against the rights of the citl-
zens of Kansas, made apparent to the peo-
ple of the Union. Hence his anxiety to
stile investigation at the very threshold.
This must not be permitted. The opposi-
tion owe it, not only to the people Of Kan
sas, whose rights have been trampled under
foot by the predatory bands who compose
the.constituents of this man Whitfield, but
to the integrity of republican principles,
dear to every citizen of the Union, and out
tagged in the persons Of their brethren in
this distant territory, to see that those
wrongs are avenged, and those principles
preserved in their original purity. Frank
Pierce, though welding the right arm o.
Executive power. calmly looked on and re-
fused to interfere whilst the homes of peace
ful citizens were invaded by armed ruffians
the right Of suffrage perverted and destroy
ed, and the government of the territory ta'
ken out Of the hands Of its rightful guar
diaus, and confded to the tender mercies
of such men as Atchison, Stringfellow, ant
their confederutes. We trust that Congress
will rebuke his apathy or completely, ant
do what in them lies to deliver this oppress
ed community from the hands of the spoil
er.
The original question involved in th'
passage of the Nebraska bill, and the re
peal of the Missouri Compromise, will
probably come up anew for discussion a
the coming session. 1t is idle to talk abou
quieting the agitation which prevade
the public mind upon this important sub
iect, or excluding it from the halls Of Con
i. gress. The excitement which prevaile
throughout the Union prior to the passag
of the Compromise measures OF 1850 ha
in great measure subsidized, until rouse
TO tenfold strength by the repeal OF tn
: compact of 1870. When the country sha
/ enjoy another such calm, the wiSest prophe
| cannot discern. Certainly not whilst sue
! patriots as Douglass are permitted to pla
E prominent part in the National drama.
Another important subject which ma
. Clalm tue atIentIon VI NolSioeo ~ eh oo'
period Of the session, will be our presel
# relations with England. 1t is not to
), disguised that matters in that quarter loc
g somewhat threatening; more, however,
e account of the dangerous tendency of art
e cles such as appeared in the leading e
If glish journal, the London Times, than b
n cause there is really any question at iss
O between the two Governments which CO
Y not be settled without recourse to arr
n Among population likeour with all the
T. ancient prejudices lingering around th'
le hearts, a single spark mny kindle q har
to which may not be easily quelled. Apa
W however, from the article in the Tim'
l. a. "a = 4 -. II