Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-07-30


ing TO make the Republicans responsible ior
don't they charge the Republicans, with
having introduced and passed the Nebraska
bill? This charge would BE- as justas the other
Tao fact ", both measures were introduced
and carried through by thcIpro-slavery dem
ocrats during the administration Of franklin
Pierce; and both were sustained BY united
Southern democracy-and, in part, from
similar considerations. The Missouri Com
promise was ab-ogated that slavery might be
established in Kansas and Nebraska. The
Reciprocity Treaty was favored by the slave
power, because it was believed by the slave
holders that it would stop tho clamors for
annexation which were beginning TO 10 heard
in tho Provinces from 1850 to 1854. One
measure was supported for the purpose Of sc-
curing the introduction Of slave States-and
the other to prevent the annexation Of free
States.
We find, upon reference to the Congress.
ional Globe, that in 1853, attempts were
made by the Democrats in the House of Rem
rcsentatiees, to instruct Mr.. Fillmore to ne.
gotiate treaty similar to the one made by
Mr, Pierce, The Committee Of Commerce.,
OF whom majority were Democrats, made "a
report recommending that such a treaty
should be entered into. The Seport not ha, !.
Ing been acted upon BY the nouse, on the
Sd Of March, 1858, Mr. breckenridge of Ky.,
tina present Vice President, offered the fol-
lowing resolution
''Resoiced, That the President of the Uni
ted States be requested to arrange by Treaty
the questions connected with the fisheries on
the coasts Of British North America the
free navigation of the rivers St. Lawrence
and st. John the export duty on American
lumber in'the Province Of New Brunswick,
and reciprocal trade rHh the British North
American Colonies on the principles Of the
report G ffhe Cowninee on Commerce on these
subjects at thss Session, and Of liberal CONNER
cial intercourse"
The resolutions was objected to, and failing
to receive a two-thrds vote on q motion to
suspend the rules, it was not introduced.
Upon the next day Mr.. Fillmore went out
of power, and Gen. Pierce was Inaugural ted
President Of the United States.
Acting upon the suggestions of the Demo-
cratic Committee of Commerce and MIR.
breckenridge, President Pierce and his Cab
met, without waiting for the advice Of Con-
gress, proceeded to the negotiation of the
Reciprocity Treaty. The Nebraska bill was
approved on the Both day of May, ISL
and SIX days alt ard, on the 9Th of June,
the Reciprocity Treaty was signed by the
contracting parties
On the I'D day Of August Of the same year,
MIR. Bayly Of Virginia, democrat, from
the Committee of Foreign Affairs, reported
o bill "to carry into effect treaty between
the United States and Great Britain, si,ncd
the 5th of June, 1854" which was read "a
first and second time by its title, referred to
the COMMITTEE of the whole on the state of
the Union, and ordered to be printed. But
such was the hot haste OF the administration
purred rs 1t WAS by the pro-s'avery leaders,
that on the same day, Mr. Hubbard Of. New
Hampshire, member of the WAYS and
Means, aud one of the confidential friends and
organs of the President, moved a reconsider
ations of the vote whereby this bill had been
referred to the COMMITTEES of the " hole on
the State of the Union, with view t. put
ting the bill upon its passage. The recon
sideration was carried, the prcvi us question
ordered, and thus, without debate, and with
no opportunity t. obtain the sense of the
country in reference t. it, the bill was puss-
Ell by the House of Reprcs ,ntatves, and i'm
mcdiatcly thereafter by the S,nat,.
Upon examination of the official record of
the proceedings of Congress, We do not find
that u single democrat in either House, with
the exception of Mr.. Fuller of this State,
opposed this measure, Others who resisted
it were opponents Of the administration, but
they were largely in the minority, and could
effect nothing.
We Understand that Mr.. jefferson Davis
Of Mississippi now stopping at Portland, is
expected to address the people OF the 9th
District in behalf Of Mr.. Bradbury, the ad
ministration candidate Tor Congress, and to
tell them that the election of one dem Jcrat-
ic Representative from M.sino will prevent
the repeal of the fishing bounty Laws. viii
he be 50 kind rs to inform thctu how it was
that when Maine had three democratic Rep
rescntativcs, incluiing Mr. Fuller, the adj
miuistration of which he (Col Dtsis) was
u member, would give n, heed t, the wishes
and interests Of Maine? If Mr.. Fuller could
not induce the pro-slavery democrats u abLu-
don their project of a Reciprocity Treaty,
can it be reasonably expected that they
would give up the repeal Of the fishing boun-
ty laws at the solicitation OF Mr.. Bradbury?
But We have no fear that the intelligent
and Independent voters of the 9th District
will strengthen the arms OF the deadly enc
of their vital interests, by giving them a par
ty triumph. They know that with a b.
publican House these bounty laws cannot be
repealed, and they will take care. as far as
they have the power, that in the next Con-
gress there shall be such a lIousc.- Wing.