The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-12-07


We copy from the Standard the following in
teresting discussion in the Senate on the 9th ult:
THE ADMINISTRATION AND DOUGLAS.
Mr. Turner offered the following preamble and
resolution
"WHEREAs The executive branch of the federal
government by reason of the increased and increas
ing patronage of the same, has grown greatly be-
yond the expectation of the wise and patriotic
trainers of the federal constitution; and, whereas,
the said executive patronage may be used to IN
timidate the weak and corrupt the vena, therefore,
"Resolred. by the Senate and House Of Com
mons of the State of North Carolina in general as
semby convened, that the UNI Just and unwarrant
able interference on the part of the executive, In
the late election in the State of Illinois, to defeat
the Hon Stephen A Douglas, was a violation of
the spirit of the constitution, subversive OF State
rights, and a gross derogation of the executive
dignity and duty
Mr. Turner said that in introducing this resolu-
ton he had not consulted his party friends, for the
reason that he intended to act independently Of
them, if their feelings did not square with his on
this question He therefore did not know what
they would think of his resolution, nor did he
know what would be the opinion of his democratic
friends on the matter. But he knew there ards
time when no man would have dared to stand up
It's object was to condemn federal executive inter-
ference with State politics. He knew full we'll
that resolution condemning the alien and sedl-
ton law had been voted down in this State, and
that this resolution, now before the Senate might
share the same fate. But the people hold ofthe
alien and sedition law, and it went down. And,
he asked how will this Legislature stand in the
estimation of the people of the State if it fail to
pass this resolution? This federal interference
had gone too far-thc cause of Illinois was the
cause of Pennsylvania and New York, and may
become the cause of North Carolina tomorrow.
The glorious example of Illinois should never be
forgotten-it was a noble effort in the assertion
of State rights and State sovereignty. Mr. L.
would call upon the Senator who now occupied the
seat once adorned by Bartlett Yancey, one of the
first to raise his voice in defence of States ghts
and State independence he would call upon that
patriots successor this floor to raise has voice
against this federal aggression
The Speaker intimated that this day Saturday
was the day set apart for private bills &c.
Brown moved suspension of the rules to
enable the Senate to settle the question raised by
the resolution of Mr. Turner. Concurred in.
Mr. Brown, in rising to respond to the call so
directly made on him by the Senator from Orange
(Mr Turner said that he must be excused for
declining the invitation to unite with him in the
condemnatory resolutions which had just been sub
mitted in reference to the course which the Presi
dent of the United States had considered his duty
to pursue in making certain removals from Office
in the State of Illinois Before proceeding to
remark On the allegation which had been made
against President Buchanan. he would re pectfuy
inquire of the Senator who had volunteered to de-
fend the State of Illinois against the alleged as
saults on her rights, whether he was not depart
ing from the principles and doctrines which be him
self professed to inculcate He would respect
fully inquire if the lecture they had heard, and
the action which the Senate had been called on to
take, with respect to the alleged ruthless invasion
of the the rights of the State of Illinois,
tirely compatible with the respect due to a sister
confederate State? He would ask whether this
attempt to enghten that State as to the alleged
Infringement of her rights, might not be interpre-
ted imply that either she herself did not under
stand them, or, if under. landing them, not
incompetent to their defence? He (Mr B., en-
tertained too much respect for that great common
wealth, to believe for moment that she de-
fcient in either one or the other-on the contrary
she had the intelligence to perceive, and the firm
ness to defend her ri ghts as State, against as
sauts whenever committed, without either instruc-
ton or prompting from this or any other quarter.
The conclusion which, therefore, seemed to him,
followed is, that those who proposed interference
to the questions pertaining to the local affairs of
other States step beyond the State rights doctrines,
while those who decline to follow stand upon the
grounl of the reserved rights of the States.
This much Mr. }. said he had deemed it his
duty to say, to the propriety of the Legislature
of North Carolina acting on the resolutions sub
mitted by the Senator-he would next venture a
few words in justification and defence of Mr. Buch-
anan. and he would here take occasion to remark,
that while he believed it entirely proper that every
administration should fill the important political
stltions under it from among those who
were lis friends, he did not concur in the doctrine
of indiscriminate removal, simply on political
grounds in all the subordinate grades of office.
Removal from Office for cause, however, stood
on very different grounds, and had very properly
been practced under every and all administrations.
He (Mr b. believed, from the best information
which he was possessed of, that the removals from
office in Illinois by the present administration,
were predca:ed on the grounds just alluded to by
him-that they were removals made for cause
and would add, sufficient cause; and that the Presi
dent stood triumphantly vindicated by the exam
PIE of some of his most eminent predecessors.
Without claiming to possess authentic information
as to the reasons that Influenced the administra-
ton in making these removals, yet he believed it
was we'll understood throughout the country-and,
90 far as he knew. MISUNDERSTANDING the indi-
vidua!s removed from Office active and clam
orous political partzans, especially violent in their
denunciations against the President and his policy
and against the administration ticket then in the
field in Illinois. In thus acting, these individuals
subjected themselves and most descrvedly, to the
appl cation of that rule adopted by of our early