The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-04-10
WHOLE No. sN !
GcIclt 1flisfcIIanp.
speech of Hon. Winter Wis.

If anything was wanting to complete f3f5
doom which awaits the Administration teSi 81
it was furnished in the clear, compact sailst
conclusive speech of Mr.. Winter Davis, CT
the 30th ult. lie met the advocates Of
Lccompton on their own ground took II Anss
own promises, and utterly dcmtNS
confound,d the wretched legal pretexfS
which the constitution was claiInedT
formed. No such argument or .ogicap
inonstraIion has been heard i'll the whole
bate in either end of the caritolAe ~
essays, anti. slavery dissertations and flosS
defamation. have formed the general stat
of the discussion, and hardly any heed h.
been given to the real point Of legality ans
regularity, upon which the I.econpton pres
ceedngs claimed to rest, and which SIS tE
special justification set up by the PresidetS
until Mr.. Davis grappled 1t in his strong as
convincing way. Is
Starting with the statement that, haN n
voted against the Topeka constitution, he W.
free to inquire whether that now presented !.
was legal constitution, he proceeded to teas
aside the flimsy covering of tcclinicalitiE
with which twas covered until the miseraE
skeleton stood out i'll all its naked defofmtx-ss
The efiec. Of this effort was visible on botf'
sides and extorted sentimen mt Of comnenda4
ton for its mastery ability, without gaudg-A
ing qualification, even from the candid of
those against whom it was mainly directed
Whenever that speech can he answered, to-
the satisfaction of any intelligent Jury, Les
compton may command 100 more votes thanf
it will ever receive under any other circum,'
stances.
Mr.. Davis is entitled to something moreS
than passing notice in this connection, ANDY
especially since he has been subjected to cen-y
sorous criticism, which was wholly unde- y
served, for comments upon the conduct Of the
public press and its representatives here. III
is only to be regretted, for the credit of Jour-
nalsm that there was too much truth in his,
rcbuke, which offended none but those whof
with conscious instinct, appropriated the as
plication. No man who respects his vocatiS
or himself need fear injury from general
nunciation any more than Mr.. Davis, ort ~
respectable members of Congress can
in public estimation from the contact
than doubtful associates. 1t is as
known here that the press as it is &
cd, has been prostituted to corrupt pnrE :,
as that ycnality has invaded the haSs.,, Z
legislation. Fortunately for the charact&s
both journalism and Congress, the instru,
ments of this disgrace are notorious and,
pointed at with the finger of scorn. Mr..
! LAWS dld MS unty IN holuing Sucii knaVes up
10 public reproach, and |, as one of the hum
blcst of an honorable calling, honor and thank
him for 1t. When this Kansas issue was frs
presented to Congress, he was yindictively asa
sailed for daring to assert his honest convic-
tons. lie stood almost solitary and alone of
the south in the two houses, content to bide
his time, and wait for returning reas0h7..---@
That noble resolution has been justly reward
cd, for he has drawn around him great names {
and strength sufficient to determine the fate
of the issue. Let his devotion not be forgot
ten when the loud peal of victory proclaims
the compulsory surrender of vanquished
administration.-Cor N. american.