Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-07-10

to prescribe his fellow and deprive him Of his civil
and religious rights, is American-he is the
slave to an imperial master; his conscience is his
hypocrisy; he has no attribute Of freeman and
deserves not the name.
IA That the inordinate increase of Ranking
Capital at the late session, and the weak and in
consistent course Of the present Executive in re-
lation thereto, are calculated TO awaken anxiety
and alarm for the future, and prove the folly of
conhding the powers of government To hands III
competent TO their exercise, and controlled by tine
specializing and greedy interests that prey upon
the earnings Of the people.
10. That the failure of the House of Repre-
senatves at the late session TO pass the Joint reso
luton proposing amendments to the Constitution
against State and municipal Indebtedness was
IN contempt of the popular will, and the interest
and security of the people IL will be the inn
perativc duty of the next Legislature, freed from
the elements of confusion, rapacity and fanat-
cism which infested the last, TO Te-commence the
work of reform, which, when consummated, will
protect labor, property, and morals, by prevent
ing the creation of public debts, and will restore
and preserve the character, the credit, and purity
of our State Government, and of our city, coun-
ty, and other municipal organizations, by limiting
them TO the performance of their Just and right
ful functions
l6. That the act of last session for the exter-
patton Of licensed hotels, while allowing other es
adjustments tor the sale OF sprituous liquors.
was an unwise exercise Of the Legislative power
being without the sanction of public opinion, I'M
perfect III construction, and incapable Of accom-
plishng its intended objects. Disputed in the
principle on which 1t proceeds, impotent for good ,
and striking at property and persons without the
justification of oyerrulng necessity, general pub
lic sentiment certain and thorough reform of
existing evils, it should give place to enact
ments, prompted in different spirit, sanctioned
by public opinion, and conform to the principles
OF republican government, and that the said law
should be repealed.
II. That the Democratic party has heretofore
signally exhibited its ability to hold in check the
elements of diseord in the Union; to conduct with
success the administration Of the general govern
ment, i'll peace and in war; and to secure and
promote the interest and welfare of the whole
people, while all other political organizations
have totally failed in their great objects, been
temporary in existence and limited in usefulness;
and that it deserves, therefore, the confidence,
respect, and support of the people, and is essen
tial to the probation of their rights and to their
advancement and prosperity.
Is. That we approve and endorse the measures
OF Franklin Pierce, and believe that he has on all
occasions adopted that line of policy conducive
to the welfare and honor Of the country, and
particularly in the exercise of the veto power,
he has but carried out the principles of the Con-
stituton and reaiirmed the doctrines of Jefferson
and Jackson.
49, That we admire the open, talented and
manly course of Henry A. Wise, Governor elect
of Virginia, in the recent campaign in that State,
by the bold and fearless manner in which he ex-
posed the intrgues and conspiracies OF a class Of
men banded together, whose works were done in
secret, and whose objects and designs were the
attainment of political power in the overthrow
of the Constitution, and the prescription of the
best men in the Republic. The keystone on this
day, hallowed by the most patriotic associations,
a., a., L.
assurance Of the redemption of Pennsylvania,
and general clearance Of the incubus which
has, though temporarily, impaired her honor and
prosperity.
20. That we heartily recommend the nomina-
ton of Arnold Plumer this day made for Canal
Commissioner, and urge upon the Democracy Of
the State his triumphant election.
After the reading of the minority resolutions,
speeches were made successfully by Messrs,
Wright and Black, which we hope to be able to
publish hereafter.
We confess to being more pleased with the able
speech Of Mr.. Wright than with that Of Mr..
Black. 1t strikes US as being holder, and, being
so, more consistent with the antecedents Of the
Democracy, and more certain 10 win success.
As Mr. Wright said, however, the resolutions Of
the majority, as offered BY Mr.. Black did not 20
far enough. This defect however, was to a con-
siderable extent corrected by amendments, as will
be seen.
Mr.. Black having concluded, the yeas and
nays were ordered on the amendment, and being
taken, resuled-yeas 10, nays 50, and 50 the reso-
lutons read by Mr. Wright as the minority report
were not adopted as a substitute for those read
by Mr.. Black.
Al this stage Of the proceedings the resolutions
offered by Mr.. Black, from the committee on reso-
lutions, we're before the convention unaltcrcd.
Mr.. Wright | now move 10 amend BY offering
that portion OF the minority report, which intro
duces the Kansas and Nebraska bill az part Of
the majority report.
II read as follows:
Resoired, That every new State ought 70 be
admitted into the Union with such Constitution
a majority Of the citizens thereof shall adopt,
provided there is nothing therein conflicting with
the Constitution Of the United States: and
whether such State shall have adopted or rejected
slavery Is not matter Of inquiry by tho General
Government. The adoption Of any measure
which would defeat this, is direct entertainment
upon the popular sovereignty ofsuch State That
under these views, which we believe 10 be correct
tge bill enacting Kansas and Nebraska Terri
tories, leaving the question of slavery with the
people, was not only constitutional, but expedient
and proper; and that We do hereby endorse and
approve the same.
This amendment was rejected ayes 40, noes 90
Mr.. Wright now offer as an amendment that
resolution in the minority report which provides
any change ia the constitution authorizing
negroes 10 vote.
IL reads az follows:
Resoir'd, That we are opposed 10 any change
IN our State Constitution comforting upon negroes
the right Of suffrage. We are not willing that
this class Of Americans shall rule this part Of
America, concedlng to other States the right 10
crafty their own tastes ia this particular, how
ever much we differ from them in opinions.
On this amendment 10 the amendment Mr..
Wright called for the yeas and nays
The yeas and nays were ordered, and being
taken, resulted-ycas 80, nays 90: Adopted.
Mr.. Chase called for the previous question
Mr.. Ludlow wish TO offer an amendment 10
the first resolution in the majority report.
The resolution now reads
Resolred, That the Democratic party need not
old and settled issues TO declare Us principles
in detail II is sufficient for us TO say that we be
long to the Democracy of the Union, and rccog-
nize no geographical lines between the North and