The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-05-04
BRIDES, FRAUDS, AND CORRUPTION. VIOLA
TlONs OF STATE SOVEREIGNTY


sadly worried in the part they have been forced to
play reference to affairs in Kansas. We are sure
if they could speak aud have right to sue for
Islander, libel and misuse, the republican press, ora
tors and statesmen would fare badly account Of
the Injuries done them in this whole territorial con-
troysrsy. The very last, by the New York Times,
is certainly thovery best illustration of the justice
of these observations one which, perhaps, might
be defended upon the plea Of celebrated SANDER
case: "That the defendants character is 80 noto
riously bad that no one credits his declarations
that his habits Of lying 80 inyeterate and well
known as TO render the inference fair that the truth
is to be found in the exact opposite of his state
ments and that therefore, the plaintiff hath not
been injured in his good name, fame, and credit.
Speaking of the passage of the conference bill, the
Times says:
..The land bride will have no effect for gres The po-
,saclAsH that hey sOiu not haze in any spoa =
What kind Of bribe is that which proposes to
give the people only what "they win have in any
event r. La some countries it is not in the power
Of the parent to disinherit his child but his assent
to marriage is requisite in order to render that rea
ton legal and banding Then we suppose, should
the fundamental condition precedent that she will
consent to ''admission into the Union" on certain
personal conditions, that would be "bribe' Of the
grosses character 1t is true the applicant might
ject the conditions with absolute that her
portion thereby would in way be lessened Thereis
too a"bribe' in oil our presumption laws which impose
conditions upon the settler, that he shall improve
aud cultivate the lands granted therein. There is
"bribe"in every contract requiring the fuldlment of
conditions before payment Of Consideration. There
lisa sbrbo" in every land grant to railroad corpo-
rations in every conveyance to sovereign States for
internal Improvement and other purposes and espe-
cally in grants for common schools, universities,
State buildings and indced, in all specific convey
ancesa of the kind. What is more frighuul in the
view Of Mr. Winter Davis these latter are direct in
Engagements 81 the great doctrines Of State rights
But the stbribe' in this 10 OF that remarkable
nature which gives to people just what they are
entitled to by the common law Of american politics
the force whereof is interpreted by the action of
Congress in the Minnesota case and the principle
involved settled by the uniform practice OF the gov
eminent III the admission of all the western States
into the Union. But it is objected that the bill CON
tains this provision, which Mr.. Winter Davis de-
carcs "is direct limitation the sovereign egisla
tive power Of Kansas =
.shat in no case shnlI non resident proprctors be
taxed higher than residents.
Mr. Winter Davis maintains that this is a limta-
ton apon State sovereignty, and is unconstitutional
and void Granting the justice Of his conclusion,
for the argument do not see the injury which is
to'result TO Kansas II it is sod, il certainly can
impair rights Of sovereignty and then does not Mr.
WntG Daps on tie other hand, practically deny to the
people Of Kansas the right to directly that right
Of souersignty denying 70 them the poef to decide
whether they ao moi "tax nonresident proprietors
higher than residents ?" legislative body in Kan.
sas after admission viii assuredy have the right to
decide this question; why should the people them
selves, on direct issue, DO denied that right?
What greater offensive limitation upon the
rights Of self government be conceived than the
suggestion that the people by their votes-ther bal
lots--shall not be permitted to determine among
other things simple question Of taxation within
Illumination an infraction Of sovereignty to tender
proposition declaring it imperative unless it shall first
receive the direct sanction of the people themselves
We have had occasion to refer, in this connexion,
to the debate and a brilliant debate it was--a re-
lief We may ssy from tho stod rehearsaIs and joint
stock oratory which have turned the House into a
mere recitation-room-- the Hon Alexander
H. Stephens and Mr.. Winter Davis.
1t was sharp passage at arms which electrified
The House ending in the total discontinue of the
assailant and in the greater triumph Of Mr. Stephens
The occasion win not be rcgardci out Of place,
since we have just closed the greatest political
tovsrsy which the country has ever witnessed, to
refer ia Mr.. Stephens who has occupied throughout
the wiloje session most responsible and command
ing position and to whose labors to great extent
the COUNTRY is indebted for the brilliant result
achieved Cool, resolute, self-sacrifcing, vigant,
and able he has stood the Mentor Of the body, equal
to every demand upon his time aud his intellect, the
champion Of noble principle, all the more dear to
the people, because, in it's proposed application its
foundations must be laid beneath the qiicksands of
past legislation, and in opposition to those powerful
ntorests which errors Of legislation on the subject of
slavery never fail 10 inspire. There have been few
instances, in the history of the government, which
have shown in any individual, higher qualities
of craftsmanship 6rmness, patience, indus
try aud faithful devotion in time and out OF time to