The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-09-06
Tusc Republican Party I'm Congress-Ignomi-
nious Surrender on the Army Hill.


black republican, 0, niger worshipping, are en-
deavoring to gloss over, palliate, and even just-
fy the disgraceful surrender of the republican
members Of the House of Representatives on the
Army Appropriation bin. Instead of holding up
these imbeciles to public scorn for striking their
they did all that could be expected Of them.
However this may be true in one of its double
meanings, it certainly is not true in the other.
Had the republican members been possessed Of
only the requisite nerve, frmness and untnching
courage, they would never have been driven
rom the stand point they assumed, but would
have routed the heterogeneous force opposed TO
them, horse, foot and dragons.
For what was the struggle commenced and
for a time persisted in? 1t was for nothing
less than the overthrow Of a system Of IN
exampled despotism on the part OF the ad-
ministration, and for the annulment Of
code of laws that would have disgraced
the statute book Of Austria, Russia or Naples.
The President was required by his constitutional
oath to enforce the laws Of Congress. The law of
Congress organizing the Territories OF Kansas
and Nebraska, contained the provision that the
inhabitants thereof should pass the laws for
their own internal government, free from all
other restriction than that Of the constitution OF
tie United States. How was that provision OBJ
served ! II Is matter about which there is now
no cavil or dispute. that armed bands from Mis-
souri, crossed into the Territory drove the resi-
dents from the election polls, and imposed on the
Territory a Legislature Of their own choosing
subueating it, in fact, as completely a. anyeoun-
try has ever been subjugated b. the armed hand
Not only did the President stand calmly by and
see this outrage on freedom and republcanism
perpetrated but when few of the real residents
recovered from the alarm into which they Were
cast by the Invasion, and attempted to re
sumo their rights. be allowed his judicial
myrmdon to have these men deprived Of
treason, and the United States troops there
were, by the instructions OF Mr. Jefferson Davis,
employed as the jailors Of these political prison
ers. 1t would be lost time 10 recapitulate al the
outrages on the rights Of American citizens that
Mr. Pierce either caused TO be perpetra,ed or at
blooded murders burnings, and other alroci-
ties that were committed, were repetitions OF
the horrors OF English and Scotch border war
fare, and appear almost incredible at this day.
Personal liberty there was none, and but little
security Of life. The freedom Of the press was
crushed out in a more summary manner than il
ever was by any European dcspot, and the free
expression Of opinion was declared q felony by
the Kansas Draconian code; and Mr.. Pierce
smiled and murdered while he smiled and
civil war was initiated in the land.
In this menacng condition of affairs. what was
the plain duty of the republican party in Congress?
1t was, in the first place, to pass law declaring
null and void all the acts OF the Kansas Legisa-
ture. There was some tinkerng measure OF the
sort got through the House. and sent TO the
Senate. who amended IT, we believe. by substitute
ing therefor the Toombs Pro-slavcry bill. There
the farce ended. The republicans thought that in
this as subsequently in the Army bill, they had
done enough for honor-or for Buncombe-- and rs
that was just about AL they cared for doing, the
bill slept out the rest of the session the Speak
er's table
The next resource left 10 them was 10 place
provisos annullng the laws Of Kansas on the
Appropriation bill. This plan they resortcd to.
They affixed such provision two or three die
tinct forms-to the bin making appropriations
for the legislative, executive, and judicial cN-
penses Of the government But as this bill covered
their own mileage and per-diem, they OF course
had no notion of defeating it. and backed out
from their provisos without even an attcmp: at
showing seriousness of purpose.
They also, as the country well knows, affixed
similar provso to the Army Appropriation bill.
Well, Of course the Senate struck out TIL c proviso.
The House insisted and the Senate insisted. Com
mittees Of conference met. but could not agree on
united action. Again efforts were made in the
House to rccedc, butthey failed. Further votes on
insisting prevailed. Two or three more commit
tees Of conference were appointed with the same
result: and while a final vote ON reeeding was
abou, being taken by the House on the 18th Of
Augustine day fixed for the final adjournment
the hour of noon struck, and Congress stood
adjourned sHe die.
If the black republicans could then have re-
turned TO their several CONSTITUENCIES they would
have done 20 with feathers in their hats. They
had attained a vcritable triumph. and had enti-
tied themselves TO the reputation Of having
pluck. They would have taken the stump amid
tiras and acclamations Of victory, and related to
admirng throngs their fortitude and proves in
the hour of trial
But unfortunately for them another trial was in
reserve for them. They had survived the indie
cisive struggle of Quatre-bras, but their mettle
was to be again tested at Waterloo. An extra
session was called But the one question was to be
disposed Of 1t was the Malakoif-tho key to the
great struggle Of November. Let them but stand
firmly and hold good their position, and Fro
monts triumph would have been more certain
and brilliant than any which the recent annals of
the republic record. All eyes were turned on