The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-06-13
nIISCELLANY.
Senator Pugh's Speech.


Ger the following extended ANALYSIS of this
gentleman's remarks in the Senate, on the
occasion of presenting the resolutions of
the Ohio Legislature, instructing him. to
urge the restoration of the Missouri line.
His positions are very bold, and were sus-
tanned in speech Of single ability, which
occupies an extended place in tho Globe.
The spirit, too, manifested throughout, is in
such marked contrast to that which usually
pervades the speeches of Northern Senators,
that we commend it with pleasure to our
readers Charleston Mercury. -
Mr.. Pugh, of Ohio,H then occupied the
attention of the Senate in an elaborate
speech on Kansas affairs, certain portions
1of which, however, seemed to be reply to
instructions" on the subject passed by the
last Legislature Of Ohio. The speaker COM
menced by remarking on the unsettled con-
dition of Kansas Territory, which he con-
trasted with that of Nebraska, though the
latter was organised under the same. act as
the former. He proposed to states,,pon the
whole Kansas question the conclusions, both
as to law and fact, to which his inves.
LEGATIONS had: conducted him.
Io the biltof Mr.. Seward providing for
the immediate admission Of Kansas he had
linsuperable objections: firstly, paucity of
population; and, secondly, the fact that the
constitution presented by tho Free State
Topeka Convention had never been ratified
= the people Of Kansas.
To the proposal that Congress should
exert its authority in the abrogation of tho
existing laws Of Kansas, OH tile plea that
the Legislature which enacted them was
spurious, and that the laws themselves were
intolerable, he replied by recommending
patience on tho part of the people of Kan
sas, until by tho next Legislature they
might be able to apply the remedy to any
existing evils in their legislation. Tic de-
MED, however, that tho first Legislature of
Kansas was spurious body, and believed
that tho violence complained of was con-
fined to seven election districts in that Ter
rtory.
He discreditcd the rumors to which it
was sought to give the authority of history
in the matter Of the Missouri INVASION
Tumults there might have been at all the
election precincts in Kansas, as there are at
nearly every election throughout the coun-
try. The election riots in Cincinnati, but
few years ago, wcre cited in illustration of
tho. fact that tumults are not confined to
Territories. Nor did he. believe that the
number of the Missourians vino had inter
fered in Kansasfwas so largo as had been
represented. Many Of the so-callcd "bor-
derers" were bona fiJe inhabitants of that
Territory, who had wintefed in Missouri after
having marked out their locations prcpara-
Itory to permanent settlement. In support
OF these views he ecomparcd the first census
of the Territory with the election returns,
and thought the disparity between them
| was easily to be accounted for.
He contested the constitutional right of
Governor Reeder to pronounce on the legal
ity OF members elected to tho Kansas Leg
lislature. This right, lie maintained, resided
in tho Legislature itself, and in the Legis-
lature only. Norsdid he think that one:
third ofthe Kansas Legislature had been
shown to be spurious; and, admitting all
ahat was asserted OH this head, he still held
that the de tdcto acts of that Legislature
must be recognised as valid.
The speaker next examined the acts of
the Kansas Legislature, the major part of
Which he defended, though he thought
there were certain restrictions which ought
to he removed. ( ...
| The interference of the Massachusetts,
Emigrant Aid Society in the settlementpf
Kansas was earnestly condemned, and the
society itself pronounced a gigantic engine
of mischief and wickedness. He, held. that
4 Congress had no legislative power over the
Territories Of the Union, and therefoSe .,was
ineompetenty1 pass laws establishing, abol-
isRihg, or regulating. the7q question Of slavery
in such Territories. He. CITED several dc.
cisions OF. the Supreme ,Courtto prove tla,
tho term aterritory" islsed in the Constitu.
1 ton to designate ".land," and ! not ciyi1
community. ,He thought tlle Territories
we're held by the Union in the capacity d
a lastrustee.s -. *. 4..,,.
4 In opposifonto4M Mr.. Stewards. assertior
), that slavery is an aoutlaw'' under the Law
lof nations, he quoted fromsthe pieceptsi 8
1.-THE civil code and from The, decisions Of Che
2 English and American judiciary, which ht
}2contended putslavery under the safe guart
:, Of public Iaw: q. 81, -, ,s,g
MEPngh then entered into an ,examina
b ation Of the past Legislation Of Congress
; efwith respect To- Territories, directing his at
9 teption specially t6the ordinance Of 1857
wbich'he thought .Yas never designed to b
g precedent for fdtnre guidance. The pro
pTety of2the Missouri Compromise Nh
81 iapest estioksd, and sits REPEAL regardet as .nsc
81 essaily fowia p3fhe legislatioR ofsth
s1yeT 1s58Si9eapect to California, utat
land New Mexicos9 Ha ~ aap pr,u1,6aed tosth