The Washington union., 1858-02-09
CITY.
TUESDAY MORNING. FEB. 8. 1865.


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ss-Ar. authorized collect moneys the
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PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE AND HOUSE.
The Kansas constitution was referred yesterday in
the Senate TO the Committee on Territories.
In the House the resolution of Mr. Harris refer
ring the message of the President on the sub
ject was referred to a select committee of fifteen.
This action of the House commanded majority of
three. A previous vote, which may be regarded as
a better test of the views of the members, though
not fully reliable the vote on previous mo-
ton to refer the message to the Committee Terri
tories, which is the usual proceeding in such cases
Exceedingly plausible reasons had been urged in ia
vor Of reference to select committee. 1t was al
legged that it would do harm; that all the tes-
timony that the committee would require was acces-
sible that little, if any delay would follow. We do
not regard these reasons for special reference as
well founded but they undoubtedly exerted upon
the members more or less influence.
We may now anticipate early action by the SEN
ate committee who will report bill to that body
admitting the State into the Union, and pass it, as
soon as it can be got through the delays of debate
Thus it viii go to the House, wholly untrammeHcd
where we anticipate its passage beyond doubt
Is OUR NATIONAL PARTY TO BE PREsERvED'
1t must strike every mind that the voting in the
House of Representatives on the Kansas message
is the most important and eventful that has oc-
Cured since the historical sessions of 1850 and
1854.
In those sessions the spirit of nationalism tri-
umphed after struggle the spirit of sectional
ism, and the North pledged it's faith with the South
that the question of slavery in the Territories should
be left to the quiet and peaceful settlement of the
people residing in them, free from all outside inter-
ference and intrusion. The democratic party espe
cialIy the only national organization existing
made itself a party to this agreement, well at
the time by frequent subsequent iteratons of
its fidelity to the principle which it was based.
A faithful execution of this principle would effect
complete settlement of the slavery question between
the North and the South--in connexion with the
general principles of government held by the demo
cratic party. For the sovereignty of each State, and
its right and suhciency to regulate its domestic
affairs, sacred from federal interference, which
held as cardinal tenet of that party had already
moved the subject of slavery in the States from the
deliberations of Congress and if the reference of
the subject to the people of the Territories for
their own peaceable settlement in their own way
free from outside interference could also be engraft
ed upon the policy of the country, it was clear that
there would be a final conclusion Of all strife be-
tween sections on this subject in Congress.
Such was the leading idea that prevailed in
tho memorable contests between the sections in
1850 and 1854. 1t was, by slight stretch of
theory to treat the Territories as clothed in
respect to slavery, with the same supreme pre-
negatives as the States themselves; and to regard
any outside efforts to interfere with the ques-
ton of slavery within their limits partaking Of
precisely the character Of similar efforts to interfere
with that question in the organized States.
This was the nducemcnt to- and the meaning of,
the solemn agreements entered into between North
and South in 1850 and 1854 And the national dem
ocratic party true to its conservative sentiments and
national impulses, at undertook the execution
of this solemn interseconal pedge--vindicating its
nationality by espousing the principle involved in it,
and still more by successfully champoning that prin-
ciple in the national contest of 1856.
Let it be remembered that nearly all the nationali-
ties of the republic have disappeared one by one.
The great religious denominations, and religious,
eleemosynary and charitable societies which once
fourished under national organizations and bound
people together in bonds endearing, if less
strong, than common constitution, common laws
and institutions, common language and history,
have almost all been sundered in twain But or
two religious organizations survive in national
form; and of political institutions, have only the
federal government and the democratic organization
the vitality and integrity of which last, national
organization is the problem in process of solu-
ton in the House of Representatives in the test
voting on the admission of Kansas under the Le-
compton constitution.
1t cannot be denied that the majority party in the
North have ruthessly, rcckessly, and continuously,
from first to last secuted the intcrsectona pledges
of 1850 and 1854 No sooner was the act of 1854 en-
grated upon the statute-book than they organized
systematic movement to nnllifyi break it down, and
set it at defiance. SO far from leaving Kansas to
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