Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-06-14

ter the passage of the Kansas Nebraska bill,
Mr.. Seward told the country, In that dog
mltical-an prophetic vein 10 which be some
times INDUCES, tho exact number OF hours
that it was cur destiny to linger IN this vale
of tears; aud the gentleman humbly follows
his il!uStrious predecessor. Sir, thank God
that there is Intelligence enough 10 the peo-
/ pie to unmasl the hyPocrite. thank God
that there is Intelligence enough IN the peo-
/ pie to detect the wolf in Sleeps clothing; and
! that, when traitors stalk abroad, there is pow
er enough IN the great masses of the people
to deteci them, and hang them as high as
/ uaman.
The gentleman talks about time-honored
compromise, and the repeal of the Missouri
restriction. lie says that "the great first
sin" was perpetrated in 1854, and that the
whole nation sent up one howl OF indignant
anguish. Sir, what was that question:
What was j.? The gentleman was Demo-
crat up to 1854, and concurred 10 the unlver-
-al reprobation of that Missouri restriction.
1t was almost universally conceded to be a
wrong. But what did its repeal do?
Mr. LETTER. | wish to ask the gentleman,
il be did not endorse it in 1915?
Mr.. SMITH, Of Virginia. No sir; no.
Mr.. Letter. Nor 10 lS49!
Mr.. SMITH, of Virginia. No, sir; l did not
Mr.. Letter. Not, in the annexation OF
Texas?
Mr.. SMITH. Of Virginia. Oh, my dear sir,
you know how all that question IL. It Is not
worth while to 20 into 1t now. | am ready
to meet the gentleman upon that; but want
to deal now with the popular aspect of the
question. What did the Missouri comprom-
lse do? Who did il wrong. who2 The Mis-
souri, compromise, which the gentleman DOW
whlues over, did undertake, 20 be sure, TO in.
terdict the right OF popular sovereignty, and
to say that persons owning slaves should NOS
20 on one side of given line. What did ITS
repeal d.? /. simply said that ell free white
persons should have the power of doing their
own will; that they should establish their own
government; thatthefe should be no geograph-
zeal distinctions. And who is there, having
proper sympathy in his heart and al element
of moral Justice IN his bosom, who will OBJ.
iect to every white citizen 10 America being
entitled to the same rights and priylleges?-
Who can object to ii? The gentleman from
Ohio d Jes. /, is the misfortune Of those go.
ing over from the Democratic party never to
see a ray of that glorious light which is des-
tined to ilumine the world, and conduct it on
its glorious career.
Well, the Democracy repealed that line,
and the gentleman says a struggle ensued.-
81 it did; and the Democratic party were
nOored, 10 1855, by the bowls OF fsnaticism
Of that party with which the gentleman is 50
proud to act. They h0ored us for a time; but
Democracy, though hOOred-true to its exul-
tant aud buOyant naturc-springs with elias
TIC bound to its feet again, knocks oil kinds
of iSms into pi, and promptly RECEIVERS its
benehcent ascendancy. The intelligent peo
pie were aroused, spoke the word of cOuI-
mand, and elected our present Chief MagS-
trate.
But that is not ALL The Black Republicans
came into this Hall with q majority. What
was the result? 1t undertook to revOlutionze
the Government.
Mr.. LETTER Does the gentleman mean
to say that we had n Republican MAJORITY
Mr.. SMITH, of Virginia. You had, until
your atrocities lost it to you. You came
here with heavy majority; but your conduct
was SO damnable that some of your own men
| left you with disgust. You came with a ma
jDrity, full Of all the hope that is borne upon
the vision Of glorious triumph, and full Of
junction and delight but nipping frost
came, as wac the case 10 lS4l, and has been
the case on various occasions.
Mr.. Letter. Is it not the fact that the
highest uumber Of votes we were ever able to
give for our Speaker was one hundred and
three out Of two hundred aud thrty-fOur
member?
Mr.. SMITH, of Virginia. Yes, bu. you
got your Speaker, and you got the commit
tees, and you, 10 effect, undertook to upset
the G9yernment. The people took away
your power OF mischief 4 reaction ensued,
and we came here in power. Unhappiy
there were differences of opinion in regard
to Kansas affairs, in regard to the obligations
growing OUT OF the Cincinnati platform, and
IN regard to certain proceedings in Kansas
That Is oil true; but let me tell the gentleman
that the doctrine of popular sovereignty is a
doctrine which recognizes the power Of the |
people to govern according to Law, not ac-
cording to mpbs or iucendary assemblies
That is the great, the fundamental principle |
which regulates our Government 10 all it's
forms. The people establish what Govern.
ment they choose. Squatter sovereignty is
the right Of few TO 20 into the Territories
and exercise 10 their infancy the powers and
privileges of full-grown maturity.
WI bEllEh. W ~ IL tuS lStueE Vi IDSt
doctrine?
Mr.. SMITH, Of Virginia. He was no con-
sentative man. Tie Territories possess no
power except that which the Federal Govern
ueut itself possesses. 1t qualified 10 char.
aCter, and limited 10 extent; cut il recognizes
the vii. Of the people when exercised in co.,
iormlty to Jaw, aG1 in no other case.
claim that the Cincinnati platform has
been respected by the Democratic party, aud
By the chief head Of that party. What have
they done? What frauds have they perpetra-
ted? They submitted to the people of Kan
sas the propriety Of calling a convention; and
the people, by vote which cannot be i'm
pcaehed, determined that they would have a
convention. That cOnyention was according
Iy called. Delegates were elected and they
ne: 10 convention 10 perform their duties
What were those duties? To frame a con-
stitution aud submit it or not to the people.
Mind you, the people we're acting through
their representatives,. Do not we represent
the people? Are not our acts binding upon
the people? Do not the people speak when
We speak facUper aiiam, tacn per sc.
These delegates assembisd, and they had
the right to form constitution; and, 10 the
absence Of all legal requirements to the con-
trary--aod 1t is not pretended that there
were any to adopt constitution IN toto or in
part, and to submit 1t IN toto or in part. I