The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1856-02-21
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is, So

md The reports OF the inherent departments
appropriately referred to them, are now pre-
AIRED to go to work. The committee on cleo
lions have their first meeting to-day, and will
doubtless take upfrs:, as most important the
r,ntested seat of Whitfield, from kansas.-i
Il is to be hoped that they viii be able to
report at an early day, as every effort viii be
5sadc in the House, by the Administration
rarty to postpone a decision to as late day
as possible. The result cannot be anticipa-
fed-h0pe, however, is strong in favor of the
light.
The Democratic nominee, Wendell, for
Printer; was elected by combination of the
Democrats and the South Americans, with
few anti-N ebraska men, who become tired Of
the procrastination OF the contest. 1t was
almost positively known from the first ballot
that the nominee Of the Republican party
could not be elected, hence the votes were
scattered, but with hope that a convention
might possibly take Place. after time. The
Office OF Printer is supposed to be worth
$4,000 per annum at least, hence the strug-
gle for it, Great fraud is also practiced I'M
der the law regulating it, which adds to the
Profits not little.
spirited debate took place in the Selats
Yesterday upon a resolution introduced
sometime since by Mr.. Wilson. of Mass, cal
ling on the president Of the United States for
all the inform alton in his possession in respect
to the disturbances in Kansas. effecting the
freedom of elections &c. A Southern man
moved 10 indefinitely postpone it, contend
ing that the Special Message of the Presi
dent contained all that he knew in regard
to il. Mr. Fessenden said the North desired
10 act upon the most authentic information,
idstead OF taking the newspaper accounts, as
reported by persons unknown to members,
but If no better information could be had,
they must take that which they could get,
and form their opinions in regard to it. Mr..
Gayer Of Missouri, contended that all the
difficulties in Kansas had originated in the
fact Of the Yankees sending armed men there
to control the elections. No definite action
was had on the resolution. II the President
and his friends refuse the Senate such infor-
nation as may be in possession Of the de-
partment, Senators will be excused if they
adopt as true. the uncontradicted reports pub
lished in the newspapers. That it is bad
enoulh no one doubts and should receive
the early and prompt attention Of Congress.
The proclamation Of the President is evil
IDENTIFY designed to place the Free-St men
in wrong position in the contest. He as
sumes that the legislation Of the Border ruff |
fans is the legal and true legislation Of the !
Territory, and that all who oppose the laws
enacted at Shawnee Mission, are traitors
against the government; ard intimates that
they will be treated accordingly. This is |
assuming a high prerogative. 1t has here
.afore been thought that the Judiciary de-
rsrtment Of the government was instituted
To decide the equality of laws where con
:ests might arise, and in this instance there
must be doubt at least in the minds Of all
unprejudced men. That the first election |
was carried by illegal voters is not denied; and
the apology for il is that the New England
States had sent voters to Kansas to control /
the election--hence the Missourians were JUS
tilted in going there in armed mobs for the
purpose of preventing the New England men
rom making Kansas a free State.
The fact charged is not denied; but is at
ssmpted to be justified The place of holding
he first session of the Legislature was fixed
Kansas bill. But this illegal legislature deter
mined to remove it to another place, and did
Suppose such case as this. The law .
declares that the sessions of the Circuit Court /
for our county, shall be held at Cen;revills. !
Parties are summoned to appear at the Court
House in that town. Suppose Judge Elliott
should remove his Court to Abingdon. would
judgments rendered in that Court be binding
upon parties interested? We are not lawyer
blu. we think not. Hence come to the .
conclusion that an illegally elected legislature,
holding its sessions a. place unknown to the
law. and in direct opposition to the law max
ing power, for the right to determine the place
of holding the legislature was conferred ex
olusivey upon Gov Reeder, could not pass a
law binding upon the people Of Kansas. And
We predict that even the power of the Presi-
dent cannot enforce those laws. illegally enact
ed. and Of the most infamous character.
We would not advise bloodshed or civil
war. but if We were a citizen Of Kansas. and
were witnessing a conflict. we would feel in
cliued to act as we have heard that friend
Of peace once acted, when he saw a soldier
pointing his gun towards the enemy. He
remarked, Friend, would not advise thee
to shed the blood of thy fellow man. but If
thee wishes TO DO personal injury TO thine
enemy. thee can do it by raising thy gun lit
tic higher. and little TO the right
The Central American question is still the
subject Of discussion in the Senate. Southern
members take but little part in the debate.
They do not desire war with England as it
would result in the snnerstion Of Canada to
the United States, and from which half
dozen free States would soon be formed. The
South is no. now IN fasor OF the merit ,rqr
The Presidents special message upon af
airs in Kansas has been referred to the Com
nittee Of the whole House on the State Of the
Union where il will be discussed wishou.
day.
Most Of the standing Committees Of the
House are composed of nine members-fve
Republicans, three old liners, and one South
American. H.
fvThe appropriations of the last Congress