Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-09-18
GEN. KOONTz and GEN. BURNS.

GEN. KOONTZ and GEN. BURNS.
At our recent meeting at the Court
House, after Judge Wilnlot had concluded
bis remarks, Gen. Kooniz was called out
TO address the meeting. Before lie pro-
| ceeded far be charged Genl. Burns, one 4
the Locofoco candidates fer the Legislature,
with voting in substance for the Wimot
Proviso,-that is for excluding slavery from
the ational territories, when he tBurns)
was in tie State Legislature Of 1857. The
charge was hardly made, before Burns, who
was present, denounced it as q wholesale
/ lie, and, we are credibly informed, even
went so far as to swear ut koontz in no
measured terms, for slandering him. Hav-
ing all confidence in the veracity of koontz,
and our curiosity being excited to know
the real extent of Genl. Burns cause of
complaint, we have hunted up the Journal
of the House for 1917, and iind the truth
to be Just as Genl, Koontz alleged in his
speech. We will venture to give the rec
ord, and hope Genl. Burns will keep his
temper, or at any rate, that he will not
prosecute US for libel. In the Pamphlet
Laws of 1917, pago 4S9, are the following
Preamble and Resolutions:
"WHEREAs the existing war with Mexico
may result in the acquisition OF new terri
tory TO the Union:
"AND WHEREAs, measures are now pend
ing in Congress, having in view the appro-
priation of money and conferring authority
upon the treaty-making power to this end;
therefore,
RESOLVED, by the Senafe and House Of
Representatives. IN General .7sSsHlbiy met,
That our Senator's and Representatives in
Congress be requested to vote against any
measure whatever, by which territory will
accrue TO the Union, uness as part of The
fundamental law upon which any compact
or treaty for this purpose Is based, SLAVERY
or involuntary serrttude. Except for criDie,
shali be .torever prohibited"
This Preamble and Resolutions came up
on their fual passage in tue House of Rep
reseutatives on the 26th day of January,
1917, and passed unanmOusly yeas 90,
Nays, none. See Journal of the House,
page l25.
Genl. James Burns, and Gepl. John
Sipes were the two members from this dis
triet, aud iLey both voted COR the Resolu
tous, the declarations and oaths of Mr..
Burns to the contrary Notwithstanding.
On the next day tJanuary 2Sl the same
Preamble and Resolutions passed the Sem
ate by vote of a against 3; Senator
Biglcr and his Loeofoco friends voting with
him for the Resolutions. See Senate
Journal for l847, page l24. Here then
we have the conclusive proof of what both
Wilmot and Koont- declared in their speech
es. In 1917 we find that not only Genl.
Burns, aud Senator Bigler, but the whole
Locoforo party in both branches of the Le-
.:-I-....- -.44l E.. H. rU-i-.-4 A.
or what i, the same thing, voted to ex-
cluae slavery from all newly acquired ter
ritories. But wonderful change has late
ly come over the sham democracy. The
men who now oppose the extension of slave
ry, are denounced and villifed as disunion-
i,ts and abolitonlsts. Can it be that the
people can be any longer humbugged by 4
party which so stultiGes itself, and so
falsely abuses others! Gcul. Burns was
right on this question when he was III the
Legislature in 1877, but as he now repu-
dates, and denies that vote, the people
will attend to him, aud let him--stay at
home