Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-01-10
Dysru-siou o( Federal POIItie,.


resentatye- the consideration of the Presidents
| Message was resumed. Mr. Stephens said tho
debate on This subject was unusual one IN our
parliamentary history. To him il wa investi-
gated with interest. aud to the country, he trust
ed il would not be Improbable. We are in tho
midst of new epoch in the Republic; an il will
he considered hereafter. The late election
brought into array parties with what he consid.
cred woll defined and clearly aseertainol princi-
| plies which were manfully and openly met or both
sides Ii was a fearful issue. but the dangers
are past.
The result Of the election has qneted the pub.
| lie mind. and We may do well. even now when
the storm is over and the danger past, to review
them lie congratulated the country the House,
and even the speaker on the result of the cleo
ton. which has made the people everywhere
breathe freer and stimulated the arts of pence.
There we're differences of opinion as TO what
was decided in this contest, while some thought
tint nothing was decided But it had been de-
, cided that Congress shall impose no restriction
with Territories, 50 fan IA slavery is concerned.
This issue was boldly made by one side and as
fairly aud zenlcusly met on the other.
Mr.. Stephens took for granted that the prnci
pies of tho Nebraska Kansas net were endor sed
BY verdict Of the people in the Presidential cleo.
ton. 1t, however, contained such idea as
squa'ter sovereignty. There was no recognized
IN dependent sovereignty in the PEG Pile of the ter
ritores. He rejoiced the more in tho endorse
ment of that act because tho boast was made on
this floor, by the people oftbo North, who would
mover sustain il, and because its friends were
tnnnted because 80 few members from the North
advocated its principles. He reoiced though
tn ere DO but eighteen friends of tho Kansas. No
braska bill now in the House from, tho North
II . believed that forty nine had been returned
fr ON that section TO the next Congress. The
f,ansas and Nebraska act merely carried out the
compromise measures of 1850, 10 which both
upb npII annrrats al a.
subsequent national conventions.
With regard 10 the territories Congress had
o My right 20 pass needful rules and regulations
relative TO lands; and under the clause of the
Constitution which oonfers this power they can
not exclude slaves or white men. The domain is
left free for settlement by the people Of all the
Sta'es. in equal enjoyment, until Congress, in
virtue of the constitu ton shall admit them into
the Union as n State, with sovereign power and
ON equal footing with the original States.
According to the compromise of 1850, the Mis-
souri, restriction was imperative, hence the no
oessiiy of making that declaration.
Mr.. Campbell, OF Ohio, enquired whether he
understood Mr.. Stephens to take the ground that
the Nebraska and Kansas act removed the re.
striction against slavery from Minnesota and all
other Territories
Mr.. Stephens repeated that the Missouri re-
striction was declared null and void wherever it
had extended
IT.
Stephens understood the repeating clause extend
cd beyond the territorial limits of Nebraska and
Kansas
Mr.. stephens replied he understood by the de
clnraton that the Missouri restriction was incon-
sistent with the compromise measures of 1850
and Therefore 1t was pronounced null and void, to
he confined not to ono plnce more than another
In tho course of his remarks he said Mr.. Camp
bell, two years before, bud predicted there would
not be another Kansas aud Nebraska MAORI
il tho House. lie had appealed to tho people
who had decided against him and his party. This
reminded MIR. Stephens of tho lawyer who wish
al to speak in court after his was decided.
Tho Judge told him he could not do SO, whereupon
the lawyer said: II was not arguing tho ques-
ton, but only cursing tho deci sion" SO it was
with tho gentleman of Ohio. (Laughter)
Mr. Campbell replied. in that trial of the
there was false testimony on this very principle.
Tho witness side claimed that the Nebrns-
Ia act meant one thing aud the witnesses on tho
other sldo sworo it meant something entirely
different
Mr. Stephens. i suppose the gentleman from
Ohio was ono Of the witnesses md somc of the
people of his district did no. believe his testmo-
ny. U.aughtcr,)
Mr. stephens said no had never advocated
TINT bill as Southern, but national Consti.
titn. innal measure. Although he should like to
see kansas admitted into the Union slave
state he thought there was II" probability. Not
only the laws of climate and production but those
of population would prevent it., and so Of the
ether territories.
Mr. Davis, of Maryland. remarked that gen
tlomen had essentially differed on public ques-
tions, and the result was accession of doubt
upon doubt and confusion worse copiouuded.un
Ill he who should attempt 10 read tho past from
the debates, would find him self with authorities
for any opinion and testimony for any fact. AS
To who opened this debate there scarcely
question. 1t was opened by the President in
hs annual message He did not desi gn to fol-
low this extraordinary document, or either its
reasons or statements. Nor would he initiate
The spirit of bitterness which runs through it,
lie quoted the remark of the Message--"As
Senators represent the States ot the Union, and
members represents their constituencies. the
President representsth he aggregate population OF
the United States" Napoleon Bonaparto said
to tho deputies of his Chamber-"You repre-
sent nought but your several communes. | re-
! present the great nation" In Republican A
| inerica we have n President proclaiming that he
represents the people of the Union; thus attempt
ing to belittle the Senate and House of Represen
| tatives.
! 1t to be regretted That the President,
| smarting so severely under the Indignation of
his northern friends. who rolled up their condcm
nation against his policy should have SO far for
| gotten the propricties of his station to intro"
| duce harshness of language heretofore unknown
| in any executive document. Notwithstanding
the Presidents IDEAS as to what the people deci-.
| ded in the Presidential election. he (Mr. Davis)
| said the late contest shows that ma jority of the
| people have condemned the democratic party
! Tint majority nre against the Kansas Nebras
! ka act--aganst Franklin Pierce and the princ-
| pies of his administration; and that minority of
the people desire to see Mr.. Buchanan President.