Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-12-11

HS ne rose the y0CSeE' HsJes
like a stick" is o metaphor which may
be Justly epplied to FRAskL'S PIERCE
Never, surely was mortal elevated 10 the
highest station on such swelling tide
Of popularity. Never has a ruler been
left so desolato by the very constitu'
encies 10 which he owed bis elevation
There l. no effect without cause,
and thsre is, in the popular mind. a
powerful cause for this tremendous re-
action. The President violated the ex.
press pledges made upon his nomino'
.ion-pledges which secured him an en-.
.husias,ic support from thousands who
nov execrate him.
All remember the intense excitement
which grew out Of the question Of slave.
~ in the territories acquired from Mexi'
co. The Nor,h wanted il all. the South
claimed all, and both were determined
no, TO yield. The "Wilmot Proviso''
va. popular rallyins cry at the North.
Fifteen legislatures instructed their Sen
stors and Representatives in Congress
to insist upon its incorporation into
any bills which should be presented for
The government Of the new territories
On the other hand, the South declared
,ha. should it pass the National Legisia'
ture, it would be the initiative for the
dissolution Of the Union.
The "Wilmot Proviso" created a
strong feeling in Congress during the
session Of 1880. Gen. CAss had gone
into the Presidential convass with his
Nicholson letter. and was defeated
His opponents deemed his overthrow o
Free soil triumph. In one respect it
was such for many voted against him
sololy on account Of his proslavery
trucking.
In December. 1910, tho Thirty First
Congress met. The Slavery question
was the all.absorbing one. 1t delayed
the orgs gsnizstion Of the House for nearly
month. During the protrocted ballot.
ing,. many patriotic. conservative men
North and South, trembled for the coun.
try. 1t was ut last settled by electing a
Speaker in q manner never before a.
dopted by the House. Then followed 8
long end bitter discussion Of the vexel
question Of organizing the new terrific.
ries. California, too, was knocking
for admission. II was desperate strug.
gle; but it was reserved for HENRY
CLAY, as The ctownins act Of his great
life. to restore peace to his distracted
country. And peace was the only wish
Of the people. Many. on both sides.
were glad to give over the strife on any
thing like honorable terms. l, was on
this accom-, that the compromises Of
1850 were so popular. 1t was TO pre-.
vent a recurrence Of the scenes Of the
First Session Of the XXXGst Congress,
that both parties, at Baltimore, in 1852,
.solemnly ratified those compromises.
When the Kansas. Nebraska bill was
reported, with a clause repeating the
Missouri Compromise Of 1920, the old
controversy was begun afresh. To say
that the legislation Of 1850 superseded
ahst Of 1920 is simply absurd. The two
measures we're not only distinct, bu,
had reference 10 distinct objects. The
former adjusted the slavery question in
the territories acquired during the Mexi
can. war. The latter settled the same
question in 8 part Of the public domain
acquired by M. JErrsRson's purchase
in 1903. The people regarded the re.
peal Of measure which bad bean &C.
guessed in for more than thirty years as
Asgrant violation Of The good faith ex
jeting between the diGeren, sections OF
4hs Confederacy, and ~ departure
from the principles Of the Baltimore
Platform: That platform simed at peace.
q surcessing from oil aggressive move.
ments on tho part Of either section. but
the EyvEcr Of DoucLAss' bill has been
tie, direct reverse Of all this. 1t has
sn4sndsrsd . 6srcer stoim than ever
asitaAed the minds Of tho people Of
4hsse S,stes. The cool. impudent fraud /;
and ,bs disbolic manner ia which i. has
been eoaApmmated BY Arcn,soS, Sralso.
ixstlor sDd s1Assos, have filled up the
llneA4pfs n iui9yity 10 The very brim.
Tia Adminisyatiop. thorn Of power OF
in1uspse, y merely breathing out, It's
Siloitsd iefg,. sar.ssstS Ii "a
81 DE State Democratic Convention
4 soen 10 assemble, We earnestly pro.
~, in sdyanes. sgainst the adoption o.
"A. AaaS s5y K, sl r1, 3l