American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-09-20
POLITICAL DISCUSSION.

| Recently Hon. John M. Bolts deliv-
cred very strong and able speech at
Taylor's Springs, in Rockingham coun-
ty, Virginia, in favor of Mr.. Fillmore.
He was replied to by Mr.. Harris, the
Democratic elector for that District
During his speech Mr.. Harris several
times alluded to Mr.. Bolts opinion on
the subject of the power of Congress to
legislate for the territories, and dared
and dcfed' that gentleman to answer
whether he and Martin Van Buren did
not occupy the same position upon that
question. u.ms .rt5l0.E.a e..
Mr.. Bolts rose and remarked that as
he was not q candidate for the Presi-
dency,his opinions were not in issue
in this canvass. He would, however,
ask the gentleman who had propound-
ed the inquiry, whether he considered
an admission of the CONSTITUTIONAL DOW
er of Congress to legislate on the sub
ject of slavery in the Territories an in
superable objection to candidate for
the Presidency? 5fi aase ~ra 81
Mr.. Harris. J. certainty do..asnaagd
Mr.. Bolts. Then you, of course,
would net vote for me if / were cam
didatc and held the opinion? @'sas-
| Mr.. Harris. No; and, so help me
heaven, [ would vote for no man for
any office who subscribed to so danger
Gus and odous doctrine! t,
Mr.. Bolts. Very well, sir, my opin-
ion is not amatter of vital Importance
in this canvass, but will read for your
especial edifcation and instruction, the
following declaration ,Jad III
! "Haoing argea the adoption of tile
Missouri Compromise, the inference as
aneoata6le Mat Congress, IN my opinion,
possesses the pot0er to legislate upo1s
the subject Of SLAVERY IN the Territories.
Ihissoveretgn poa0er tm Congress mast
from ats nature, be esclusive." .a3s
! | quote (said Mr.. Botts) from the
Stanford letter. of JAMES BUCHANAN! |!
;. 2 Such shout of laughter, we have
never heard as followed this 'clinchcr,'
and Mr.. Harris stood covered with con.
fusion, looking for few moments, as
lady present expressed it, "as if he
had an attack oflock.jaw ~
'" You are Pzeagea against Bnchan-
am!!!" came up from all parts Of the
crowd. ~ 2.' .'..-. o..
After a few minutes, the Democrat
ic orator stammcred out that Buchan-
ans real opinion was, that Congress
! had the power to legislate for the pro
} lection ofslaycry, but no power to leg
islatc for its prohibition. D .e. ~
"Indecd!" said Mr.. Bolts, "then
you think the power exists to legislatc
on one side Of the question, butnot on
the other. Mr.. Buchanan would hard
ly thank you for that compliment to
his intelligence. Will you be so kind
as to point out the particular clause of
the constitution from which you derive
this novel and brilliant conception of
yours p ..l.. ..f .t ...... 10.
!, Mr.. Harris had, Of course, no answer
to make--hc was rmum.' 'l..s .- .H.
| When Mr.. Harris sat down, Mr..
Bolts took the stand, and told Mr.. Ii.
that the difference between the opinions
!, of Maatin Van Buren, and the rest of
Mr.. Buchanan's supporters at the
!, North and himself consists in the very
, important distinction that, whilst they
urge the exercise by Congress of the
right to adopt the Wilmot Proviso, and
to prevent the further extension of
slavery, he (Mr. Botts) had always
stronuously opposed tho exercise of
7 any such power. Mr.. Harris had urg-
cd q serious objection to Mr.. Fillmore
that he voted against Mr.. Bolts 1850
luton of ccnsure upon Giddings.
i Are youawarc. sir, (said Mr.. Botts)
that in your efforts to establish Mr..
!, Fillmore's unsoundneSs upon this qucs.
tion, the painful necessity was forced
Hupon you, of proving my fidelity to the
South, as. the author and proposer of
that very resolution you SO strangely
condemn HIM for voting against; and
/ that you involved yourself in the uh-
cnviablc dilemma Of approving my
course at the very moment you were
attempting to excite prejudice against
my position on the Southern question?
| But | will inform you, if you will not
only tell tie people Of R0chinghdm a.
bout it---thdt Governor Wise votea gust
as Mr.. Fillmore didP Z. o. s Ig& Il
Amidst the laughter and applause
consequent upon this last sally, Mr..
Bolts concluded. .--Rtchmond Amer.
i