Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-02-29

,mocfacY OF to-day NO, Sltr-not SlT I
but it is an approval OF this Kansas and
Nebraska bill that has finished food to
heartless agitators, wild fanatics. and
senseless Abolitionists, to war upon the
South, and, consequently. upon the Con.
stitution of our common country, to the
prejudice of that eountry's peace, and. II
maybe, 10 the dismemberment Of this
glorious Union of States. Yes, sir, ap-
proval of the principles of the Kansas and
Nebraska bill-a bill that has given birth
to purely sectional organization of agi>
tators and disturbers OF their country's
peace--Lhis bill. which stands in the way
and prevents an organization OF the House,
and which may cause dissolution OF this
Union-is the test of the Democracy Of
the present day. The Democratic mem
bers of this House, on Saturday preceding
the day fixed for the meeting oil Congress,
met in this Hall in caucus. aud adopted a
resolution, planning themselves, not upon
the time honored principles Of Democratic
party, but upon the principles of the Kan.
sas.Nebraska bill.
Now, sir, what are the principles of the
bill and let US try
them by what has always heretofore been
understood TO be Democratic principles.
and tell me if they can stand the trial I?
Mr.. Cobb, of George, (inteIrupring. }
Will the gentleman from Virginia allow
mo to ask him a question, in order that l
may see if understand him correctly
Mr.. Carile. will hear the question.
Mr.. Cobb. desire to know OF him il
we are to understand by this review OF
the Nebraska bill, that he considers the
passage of that bill as violation of the
plighied faith of the two political parties
of this country and ii the friends of the
Nebraska bill. in his judS cement, acted in
bad faith to the country in passing it
Mr.. Carlle. Mr. Clerk, will, in the
course of my remarks. think, sntisfac
tolily answer the question which the dis~
tinguiShed gentleman from Georgia has
propounded 10 me. Sir, what are tho
principles OF the Nebraska bill as they have
been explained on this floor by those who
have given their opinions as to what that
bill meant? One o. the principles asserted
in the Nebraska bill is that which tue
people of my State-the people of
Virginia-ever true to the Constitution
and the Union-have from time memOri-
al repudiated-the principle of "squatter
sovereignty" Sir, no party on earth has
ever been more deeply committed. by
resolve after resolve, in party conventions,
in legislative assemblies, and everywhere
where the question could be brought into
view, against this principle of " squatter
sovereignty" than the Democratic par
ty of Virginia. What WAS the action of
the Legislature of Virginia upon that sub
ject for three consecutive sessions ? k>
low me to call the attention of the House
for one moment to ono Of the resolutions
adopted by the General Assembly of Vir-
ginia, January 90. l849. Here is the
principle that the Virginia Democracy
ay. the Virginia people, without distinc-
ton of party-have ever maintained upon
this subject:
" BE Il resolVea unanimously by the &C.
neral assembly Of HjrginiG, That the Go,
vernment of the United States has no
control, directly or indirectly, mediatcly
or Immediately, over the institution OF
slavery, SO ia to impair the rights OF the
STAKEHOLDER; and that. in taking any
such control, it transcends the limits of its
legitimate functions by destroying the in
tcrual organization of tho soyereignties
who created it,"
Now, sir, what is the principle ol
" squatter sovereignty" Incorporated and
asserted in the Nebraska bill, as explain-
ed upon this floor by Mr. Richardson,
the chairman of the committee that re
ported the bill to this House? 1t is, that
the people of the Territory, or the Terri
torial Legislature. has the control over the
subject Of slavery. Am right
Mr.. Richardson. made no exposition
Of the bill itself.
Mr.. Garlic, The power, then, Of the
Government
Mr.. Richardson. / will say to the gen.
tleman what the bill states. All the pow
er that Congress possessed is conferred
upon the Territory, subject only 10 the
Constitution. The question. whether
there is any power in the Constitution, i.
to be settled by judicial decision. gave
no exposition of the bill.
Mr.. McMullin. Will my colleague al
low me TO ask him a question
Mr.. Carlile. Twill say TO my colleague,
who know to be my friend. that de,
sire to be relieved from Neutrality-suspicious.
do not think it is courteous to interrupt
gentleman TO whom the door has been
assigned. When get through with my
line of remark upon this particular subject
| will yield the foor for any question my
colleague, or any other member, may de-
sire to put to me.
Mr.. Richardson, Will the gentleman
permit me to ask him a single question
Mr.. Carlile. Certainly, because re-
ferred 70 you.
Mr. Richardson. If you had been q
member of Congress when the NebTaska
bill passed. would you have voted for is I
Mr. Carliie. viii answer that am
committed upon that subject in Letter