Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-10-14
The Speech of q Patriot.

The Speech of a Patriot.
The Pennsylvania of the 9TH contains sketch
Of speech delivered by Hon. J. CLANCY Jones at
Bloomsbury, on the I'd, from which we make the
following extracts. Mr.. Jones gives brief account
Of the passage and substance of the Kansas Nebras
ka act, and what he says Of that great measure will
he cordially endorsed by every national Democrat
North and South. He says:
at was nv fortune to be in public life and an
for in the Nebraska struggle from the beginning to
the end-flom its first rough draft, in which the
Missouri line not named but theoretically made
void until the final settlement of its meaning and
true construction by the Executive IN his Inaugural,
the Judiciary in the bred Scott case, and finally, by
that Incompatible State papcr-the reply of the
President to the letter of the electors OF Connect
cut, in which, among other things, he declares it to
be mysterious to him that any other construction
should have prevailed than the one given by the Su-
prcme Court in the bred Scott to the Constitu-
tion on the question Of the time when, and the
aer how the people of Territory acquire the right
to settle the question of slavery in the Territory
gave my cordial and hearty support to this bill,
but not because it inaugurated a principle, for
believed that every principle contained in the Ne.
braska bill was to be found in the Constitution; or
to speak more properly, among the reserved powers
of the States and the people, not delegated to the
also recognized in the acts of 1850, commonly call
ed the Compromise Measures. 1t is clear too, that
the President of the United States thought so, for
he so declared it in the Sanford letter in 184S be-
fore either the Compromise Measures or the Nebras
ka bill we're introduced. 1t was for good reasons
that advocated the Nebraska bill. 1t commended
itself to my judgment because without any attempt
at comprehension am against compromises past
present, and future-it has distinct avowal of
principle of constitutional law held for years in abey
ance by the nominal existence of the Missouri Com
promise line, law existing in statute without
sttutional sanction and in direct derogation of the
reserved rights of the States. l have always held
to the opinion that our people are intelligent enough
to hear the whole truth relative to their Govern
ment, aud to sustain the true meaning of their Con-
stitution they not satisfied with it, the
err we know it the better 1t is lawful to change
Constitution; it is moral treason to peivert. miScon
struc or conceal its meaning; hence supported the
Nebraska bill-but always with regret, that even
this BILL with all its notifications and additions fell
short in my view in one very important particular.
While it asserted no principle not to be found in the
Constitution and in the Compromise Acts of 1850,
it failed to assert the full of those principles
on this subject it left the construction of its
meaning by express provision to a coordinate branch
of the Government and this, too, on point of most
vital importance to large section of the Conederacy
NY own opinions were well settled, that territory
acquired by the common blood and treasure of the
right of emigration, with their property, slave or
otherwise, was secured to them under the reserved
rights of the States, power over which was never
delegated to the General Government; that the Con-
stitution recognized and protected in the Territory
while it remained in Territorial condition, all pro-
perry, slave otherwise, and that the U. S. Courts
had ample jurisdiction for the maintenance of their
rights, and to mulct.in damages any who might
invegle destroy, or damage anything recognized as
property under the Constitution in the Territories
of the United States; and that these reserved rights
of the States would continue in full force until the
ton, should assume the garb of sovereignty, and
proceed through their representatives to frame a
Constitution for Sovereign State To this tribunal
and to this alone, the reserved rights of the State
yielded, acknowledging their full jurisdiction the
whole subject matter.
These were my opinions at the time and ardently
desired to see them embodied in the bill"
The construction now given to the Nebraska bill
is being put to the test in Kansas and firmly be-
leve it will work Itself out to the entire satisfaction
of the country. A convention composed of dele
gates elected by the people for that express purpose
has assembled, to frame constitution, preparatory
to the admission of the State into the Union Either
this convention is clothed with sovereign power, or
it is nullty-f the former, then it falls exclusively
within its jurisdiction, not only to make the consti
tuition but send it back to the people for ratica
ton or not, as they may determine, and if they
should submit it to the people, it is equally excu-
sivey their province to say who are qualified to vote
on it, Interference, at any time. by any functionary
of the general government within the lines of this
jurisdiction, would, in my opinion be violation o.
the very letter of the Nebraska bill. We may take
for granted they will submit it to the people, but
it is for them alone to decide
Mr. Jones thus allules to Gen. Packer, the Demo.
cratic candidate for Governor Of Pennsylvania:
"The standard bearer of the Democratic party in
this campaign is Gen. VIM. F. Packer, q man born
and educated on your own soil. He belongs to thai
cluster of stars which have shed much light upon
country in every period of its history-the self
made men of the country. 1t can be said of him
with the TRUTH that he has served his country in thu
various capacities of Canal Commissioner Auditor
General, Member and Speaker of the House of Rep
resentatives, and Senator of the State, without
blemish either on his public personal char acter-
but he now stan before you representative man
1t is an article Of "a il with the Democracy, tina
while they seek best men, they regard principles
as paramount, and men representative of them
you wish to know Gen. Packers political opinions
on Banks, Tariffs, Slavery, Sumptuary laws Fl
nance, any other question of Constitutional. ma
tona or State politics, read the Cincinnati platform
He was member of that Convention, and moved
for the approval of that platform, when reported by
the Committee, without dotting an or crossing t
And then turn to the resolutions of the Convention
which nominated him, passed at its two sessions,
you sum up Gen. Packers creed-the creed h
is pledged to support in good faith in all its details
should he be elected Governor Of Pennsylvania"
The Kehukee Association.
We learn from friend that the Kehukee Associ
alton of Primitive Baptists--or, as he terms them
I" of the old order of Baptists" with thu