The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-09-25

T. Eigerton came TO Perrysburg on Monda
last, to address the people in general and III
democracy in particular, on the political tor
les Of the times. In consequence of tb
funeral Of Mrs Furcy the meeting was post
poned from afternoon till evening. whei
some rs or 100 Of our citizens of all rartic
gathered ut the court house TO hear Mr.
L Elgerton's speech. Mr. J. N. Westcott wa
chosen chairman Of the meeting.
Mr.. Edgerton spoke about two hours
He is a polished and genlemanly man il
appearance ard language, and Of courst
avoided the slang and vulgarity so common
among stump orators. But what he lacked
in "lowhuug" style, he mndeup in the bold
ness not 10 say recklessness of lis assertions
He took the usual ground Of extreme parti
zans, that outside of the democratic party
nothing good or valuable ever had BEEN done
in this country. or was likely 10 be DONE
lie acknowledged that the extension or re-
striction of slavery was the only question in
the present canvass; gave short sketch Of
the introduction and history Of slavery in this
country; saidthe democratic party was not
and never had been in favor of the extension
of slavery; and that the republican party
was in favor Of its extension and had en-
deavored to extend it in Kansas. He him
self was as decidedly opposed TO slavery as
any man living He declared that the ordi-
nance Of 1897 was never recognized by con-
gress as a binding enactment, nor by the
people Of the Northwestern Territory, for
slavery did go into and rapidly increase in
Indiana in spite Of the ordinance and,
(rather inccnsistently) the people there so far
recognized the ordinance that they petitoned
congress 10 abrogate the ordinance so that
they could consttutionally establish slavery
there, and congress so far recognized it again
that they declared that they had no power to
do it.
He denied that congress ever had, previous
10 the Missouri compromise act, asserted
their power to restrict slavery in the terrific
res and they never would assert that
power again. 1t was unconstitutional-th
people of the territories themselves must do
have exclusive power over it,
That clause of the constitution which gives
congress power to dispose of and make all
neediul rules and regulations respecting the
territory or other property belonging to the
United States," was unconstitutional and
void, (according to his argument for any
other purpose but that of disposing of the
right of soil. The logical result
Of Mr.. Edgerton's argument on this subject
would be, that congress has no right to pass
any law whatever for the government of the
people Of the territories, not even such rs
that organic ng the territory of Kansas and
Nebraska, but must leave the people to make
their own laws, while the general government
surveys off and sells the land. We must
insist, (Mr. Edgorton to tie contrary not
withstanding,) that congress always has ex-
erciscd control over the territorial laws, from
The beginning of The government to this time,
and does yet, and ever will, until the consti.
tuition is changed. For the constitution and
laws OF congress are necessarily the supreme
law of the land, and the constitution says
congress shall have power TO make ALL
needful rules and regulations for the territories
Of the United States. If congress have any
power, they have full and exclusive power
ouer the subject. That power may be dele
gated, but not abrogated.
But Mr., Elg4ton, in the very face of all
his argument that congress has no power to
pass laws for the territories, TUNED right
about and arragned the republicans in con-
gress for opposing Toombs's senate bill, au-
Kansas TO frame state constitution.
That was one Of the most iniquilous bills
ever introduced into an American legislative
body, but Mr.. Edgerton laudad it highly
l. goes all lengths in legislating by congress
for the people of the territory. No such act
was ever before passed or offered for the
formation of state constitution no such
act is asked for or needed by the people of
Kansas. They do not ask for the repeal Of
the bogus laws Of Kansas, but that they be
set aside as nullity, and the people protected
in their inalienable rights.
Mr.. Eigertou e1tolled the Nebraska bill,
although when in congress he both spoke and
voted against it, and it was only because he
once voted to take up the bill out of lis regu-
lar order that the people of his district be-
came suspicious of him, that he was not taken
up and reelected. His course now shows
that that suspicion was well founded.
He concluded by fully endorsing Mr..
Pierces administration in all its parts. He
could find nothing to condemn, but every
thing to approve. The democratic party was
on trial, and the electors of the country were