The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-01-25
FROM WASHINGTON.

The telegraph brings the following expo
sition of the views of the candidates for
Speaker upon the question of the day, as
eIicited by Gen. ZolIcoffer's resolution. II
the telegraph reports correctly, Fuller is as
sound as any man could be:
WAsHNGToN, Jan IL.
HoUsE.-1lr. Richardson said, in acting
for the Kansas and Nebraska bill, he intend
ed that the people of the Territories should
decide the question themselves. He would
admit them with or without slavery. He had
said slavery would not 90 there, but never
urged that as reason why he voted for the
bill. As to the constitutiOnality of the Will
mot PrOyiso, he voted for the principle us APP
plicable To the Mexico acquisition, in spiri.
of compromise; but it would be unjust to in
corporate il in territorial bills. In his judgment,
the Constitution does not carry slaves into
the territories, but protects both sections Of
the Union alike
There was much squsbbling as to the
order of proceeding, and finally it was de-
cided that the candidates should answer Zol-
icoffer's questions before Others were pro-
pounded.
hlr. Banks WAS then called on, and num-
bers drew up chairs around him. He did
not feel obliged, he said, to answer the ques-
tions.
He had not solicited the support of any
member. He distinctly remarked that he did
not regard the Kansas bill as promotive of
the formation of free States, and that he be-
lieved in the constitutionality of the Wilmot
Proviso. He did not believe that the Com.
stituton carries slavery in the Territories and
that il recognized the protection of property
IN the North and South alike, but not proper
ty in slaves. He believed the Constitution
to be instrument of freedom, and that Con
gress Was wrong in repeating the Missouri
Compromise.
Mr. Fuller said he did not regard the Kan
sas bill as pr0n0tive Of free or slave States,
and that he had never advocated the consti
tutionality Of the NiImot Proviso. Slavery
exists independently of the Constitution, aud
Congress had no right to Legislate slavery
into or out Of the Territories, and that it
only had the right to legislate so far as TO
protect the citizens in the enjoyment Of their
property.
Mr.. Barksdale propounded questions which
Mr.. Banks said was enacted by the Democrats
and Americans the latter being the larger
portion of this district and 10y them elected.
AS to the equality of the white and black
races he believed in the language OF the De-
ciaraton OF Independence. "'That all men
were created free and equal" He had adopt
ed the idea that the weaker race will be alb.
sOrbed in the stronger-tlat was the nnlyer-
sal law of nations; but whether white or black 1
was superior and would absorb the other, he
would wait thesfull developments of the fu-
tuie--( Lau! htpr and cries OF "good') As to
the other questions propounded they were
subordinate to that of prohibiting slavery in
Kansas, aud he would unite all interdct of
slavery in the Territories.
. Nj. Fuller was not in favor of the rest0ra-
tien of the Missouri -Gn:iiproniise. and was
opposed to the abolition of slavery in the
District of Columbia; he did not believe in the
equality Of the white and black races. he
thought with Washington, that to appoint
native born citizens To Office in preference to
that of foreign birth, was the first policy of
Government. He did not desire to exclude
foreigners from coming hither and would in
vite them to settle the public territory and
build up for themselves homes, but in all mat
ters of legislation, and in the administration
of the laws, Americans should govern Amer
lea. Richardson answered various questions
on the subject o: slavery propounded by King
man. Each party appeared entirely satisfied
with the reponses OF its candidate. House
then took another vote for Speaker. Banks
81; Richardson "a; Fuller 33; Pennington
7; Scattering A, Necessary to Il choice lO4