The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-09-22
The Republican Surrender at the Extra
session-Senator Wilson Pleading In their

Defence.
We notice that in most Of the speeches which
Henry Wilson, United States Senator from Mas
in this Presidential campaign, he endeavors tc
shield and defend the republican members Of ths
House Of Representatives from the reprobatior
which they merit for the poor fight and inglori
ous surrender to military despotism which they
made on the Army bill in the late extra session
Mr.. Wilson comes to the task fairly and with mo-
deration, and he supports his argument in the de-
fence with all the force that can be brought t.
bear in such bad cause. We have some respec!
for this Senator Unlike Senator Toombs Of Geor-
gia or Senator Slidell of Louisiana, he does not
make fool Of himself by threatening to secode
from the Union if his particular Presidential an
didate should peradventure, be not elected. He is
evidently practical mana man Of good stroig
common sense. He is not one Of your smooth
spoken, word-polished word-refined sophomore
orators. like Sumner and Seward whose speeches,
in the style Of magazine articles, are very plea
SAINT 10 listen to-only for the unintelligbe quo
tations from the dead languages, with which they
are so closely studded-hut who really mean no
thing except TO exhibit their classical attachments
and their sad lack OF practealness and statesman
like qualities. Mr. Wilson has no such small
ambition. He marches 10 his subject in plain
strai ghtforEgrd manner. and uses only Language
that all ordinary persons can fully comprehend
As he has so discussed the question Of the surren-
der Of the republican House to the military die
tation Of Secretary Davis, We will notice and re-
flute his argument.
II is web on the Threshold to understand
thoroughly the circumstances Of the case. After
the passage Of the Nebraska bill last Congress,
lent not to keep the peace and see fair play in
the elections, but to the active planting Of sla-
very in Kansas by the military power Of the ma
ton. Rot only was no protection afforded to
citizens immigrating to that Territory who held
opinions not favorable TO the character of that
instituti0l-not only were the outrages perpe-
trated hy the border rufiians allowed to 20 IN
punishcd--uct only did tho Executive allow The
freedom Of the ballot box to be violated anu citl-
zeaf 10 be Violently deprived Of their right of sa
frage-but even the troops Of the United States
were employed in enforcing obedience to set Of
bloody and despotc laws enacted by rufial -
gislators. The whole power OF the admnstra-
ton, We say, under the malign influence of JEFF
terson Davis, the Secretary OF War, was directed
10 establishing. by these outrageous means the
system Of slave labor in Kansas, and thus for
waIding the plans Of broken down Missouri
politician Of The name of Atchison who hoped 70
revive his political fortunes in this new Territory
and eventually 10 b. sent back from i. to the
Senate Of The United States.
The course deciied upon by the republican
members Of the House Of Representatives, 10 put
a stop TO this state OF things, which was bringing
the nation into contempt abroad, and was initial
ing civil war at home, was TO engraft on the bill
making the annual appropriation for the support
Of the army proyiso declaring null and void
the alleged laws o. Kansas, and directing that
no part Of the army should be employed in their
execution o. enforcement. but that the President
should make use Of the military force simply TO
preserve peace in the Territory. and TO see the
laws of popular sovereignty fairly carried out in
practice This was fair, efficient and justiGablc
course. II was alleged against IL that IL was al
variance with the constitution and with the set
led pr:.totice Of Congress 70 insert any measure
of general legislation in an appropriation bin.
But Il was not so decided; and the decision was
light In Congress lies the power Of declaring
peace aud war; and certainly either House has
he faculty Of saying in a bill making appropria
Far Ia If gla l.,,
army shall Or shall not be employed. Legally,
and az q matter Of just and
sound policy, the provso wasright, and ought to
have been insisted on at all hazards, and to the
last extremity.
For some time, indeed. il was insisted on, aud
the country had we'll grounded expectations that
these republican representatives would have re-
NAMED staunch and true TO their principles that
this measure OF justice would have been consum-
mated, and that peace and good government
would have been restored to Kansas Egregio.
lclusion! II was another proof Of the folly ..
without ones host People presup-
posed the existence Of energy stamina. resolution
End pluck in these republicans qualities. how
ever, OF which they were sadly deficient. They
held ont till the regular session was closed: but
after a week Of the extra session, aud after few
.illy demonstrations on the part Of Pierce and
Davis in brcakingup national armories in Massa-
chuscits aud elsewhere. their courage deserted
ihem-they hoisted the towards flag and surren-
dcrcd the fortress For this we have denounced
them, and the country viii condemn them if il
ever gets a fair chance at them.
But MI. Wilson comes and asks tha, judgment
may he suspended. He pleads for them, and says
that they yielded because they had not the force
necessary to maintain the fight and TO make their
cause prevail The defence is not a good ono
They bad preponderanca In the House. They
were strong enough to elect the Speaker Of their
choice. They were strong enough to pass rcso-
luton 10 send a commission to Kansas. by which
the country has been made acquainted with the
awful state Of things there. They were strong