The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-06-30
Judge Perkins Speech.

our late distinguished Representative Ill Co"brcsS,
addressed the people In the Court House, on Tues
day the 26th inst. A large audience of ladies and
gentlemen were in attendance, and listened with pro-
found attention. during the entire delivery OF the
speech, which occupied about two hours.
Judge Perkins commenced by defining the relation
that exists between the representative and his con-
stituents, and what he considered the duty of the
one, and the rights Of the other. That II was the
duty Of the representative TO render an account OF
his stewardship and the right of the people to know
what he had done during the time he had represent
ed for this district In Congress. He had come here
for that purpose. eL.4a
The speaker gave lucid description Of the vari-
ous measures that he had introduced and advocated
Congress, and the mode in which business is trans
acted. How particular matters are referred to par
ticular committees, and how his mind had been drawn
to the subject Of foreign affairs, by being placed
on the committee Of Foreign Relations. 1t was his
desire to be placed on the committee ofpubc lands,
inasmuch as his constituents were more deeply and
Immediately interested in them at the time, than any
other question before Congress- but the speaker had
placed him differently.
Judge Perkins said that the administration Of Mr..
Pierce had been called weak administration, and
the last Congress, the "do nothing Congress" He
defended both against the charge, and showed most
triumphantly, by reference to what had been done,
that the accusation was untrue
He first took glance into each of the executive
departments at Washington and exhibited in clear
and forcble manner, the business assigned to each,
the condition they were in when taken possession Of
| by Gen. Pierce and the reforms that had been made
under his administration. He spoke of the charac-
ter of the heads Of the department and paid com
pliment to each for the industry and fidelity with
which they discharged their respective duties
He proved clearly, to every unbiased mind, that
the last Congress, had accomplished more In two
years. than any previous Congress, when 1t was con-
sdered, that rearly the whole of the long session
was taken up in discussing the Kansas Nebraska bill,
and large portion of the members were new, and
many of them unacquanted with the business Of leg
islaton. He took up the navy and showed its con-
dition two years ago. and what had been done for It,
Five millions Of dollars had been appropriated to
the building Of six first class war steamers, and the
repairs Of others in the docks. He showed most
conclusiyely that that Of our national defence
was never in better condition than now. He showed
how the navy had been benefited, and strengthened
" euS PooouSc VI y m"s m"hinS AS'hS" A'"' ~
the worn out, and disabled officers, and seamcn, up
on half pay, and the increase Of the pay Of those
who remain in the service, and holding out greater
inducements for others to enter
In like manner, he referred to the army, and drew
picture of its condition, before Gen. Pierce entered
upon the duties of President and Showed what had
been done to strengthen and increase 1t. How that
Congress had made provision for retired list in
tho army as we'll as tho navy, and spoke in great
commentator of the reforms that had been made
by Secretary Davis in regard to the officers of the
army, many of whom had almost become civilians
instead of officers and lived in spendor in places
mote from their stations This had been corrected
and the officers now had to be ct their posts.
Judge Perkins spoke of the presumption law, and
the graduation law, that had been passed, and thu
great benefits they conferred upon the people, ant
especially the poorer classes, and the hardy pioneers
who most needed such relief and protection. III
spoke of the court Of claims of peculiar advantage
to those having claims to settle against the govern
ment, and the perfectng of land titles. The Presi
dent had shown great wisdom in selecting three o
the most distinguished jurists in the country, on
from the north, one from the west, and one from tn
South to constitute the Court under the provision
: of the law.
He adverted to the acquisition Of the Mecilla Val
ley, and the great advantage to the country, b
which we got rid Of the very onerous obligation G
defending Mexico, against the Indians, stipulated
the treaty of Guadalupe, Hidalgo and had obtaine
the only real practicable route for rail road to th
, Pacific Ocean,
g He spoke of the stand Gen. Pierce had TAKEN i
having the doctrine, i" that free ships, make FIRE
!. goods" acknowledged and proclaimed as the settle
: policy of this government, and securing, for 1t ii
: appreciation of Russia, France and other Europea
: Governments and the consent even of England, thu
she would for the present so consider 1t. This an
the high national stand, taken by Gen. Pierce, th
r the Baltic Sea should not be closed against We
sells, by paying tribute for entering it, to COVER
ment who had no right to demand it, deserved Il
highest commentator at the hands of the America
8 people.
j. Judge Perkins adverted to the reform made
e the administration of Gen. Pierce, of allowing mol
d but American citizens TO hold office under the SO
N eminent. Under former administrations, a gre
" number of foreigners held Office but this practice
Of now done away with. Most of our consnls in 9th
)r countries were foreigners at the time Mr.. Pierce
id came President One of the first acts of his admi
isration was, through the State Department to iss
N In ciroulor dieoont;nuin0 tho nracticn Nono h