Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-03-01
Interesting Debate.

Interesting Debate.
An interesting and important debate took
place in the United States Senate on Tuesday
and Wednesday last. The Civil Appropriation
bill being up, and the Finance Committee hav-
ing reported an amendment for taking the census
of Kansas, Mr.. Hale proposed in addition, to re-
move the restriction for admission into the Un-
ion imposed upon Kansas by the English BILL
Mr. Seward advocated the proposition, on the
ground that Oregon was admitted without ref
erence to population, and the discrimination o.
eaipst Kansas was unjust. Mr.. Brown OF Mis-
sissippi then took the floor and made strohg
Southern speech. He wanted in the coming
contest neither to cheat nor to be cheated, and
he called upon other Senators, especially North
ern Democrats, to state where they stand. He
utterly denied and repudiated the doctrine of
''squatter sovereignty" If the Territorial Leg
isatures passed acts untriendly to slavery, it was
the duty of Congress to repeal such laws. The
South would demand it, aud he was prepared to
go out of the Union if Congress refused. All TINS
trouble about Kansas might have been avolded,he
said, Shy a little frmness and honesty at Oincin-
nati.n lie wanted no more such platforms
Mr.. Douglas replied, and defined his position,
in favor of 'squatter sovereignty" No Demo
cratic candidate could carry single Northern
State upon any other platform than the Cincln'
natl platform as construed by him. Senators
Pugh of Ohio, Broderick Of California, and Stu
art of Michigan, agreed with Mr.. Douglas. MIR.
Pugh said Northern Democrats would never a.
gree to protect shareholders against the local
Legislatures of the Territories. He regarded it
as monstrous demand, and if that was the price
of supporting the Democratic party, the price
would never be paid. Mr. Stuart said the slave
ry question was the hobby on which ambitious
men sought to ride into power They would be
grsyer than rat and older than Methusaleh
before bill to protect slave property could pass
Congress.
Senators Mason and Hunter of Virginia, Da.
Wis of Mississippi, Green of Missouri, and others
also delivered their views. MIR. Mason said the
Southern States would be recreant to their hon.
or if they gave any candidate standing on such
platform (squatter sovereignty solitary vote.
And if it was to be the signal for dissolution OF
the party, let it be dissolved, and the sooner the
better.
Mr. Green deprecated the discussion. 1t was
thrust upon them by common enemy, to divide
and distract the Democratic party. This course
was in strict accordance with the usual party
policy. They represent the party in every Sec
ton of the country as unanimous on the slavery
question, acknowledging the existence OF no d.
versity of sentiment, and now when the truth is
leaking out discussion must be suppressed and
the delusion continued
Mr.. Davis believed that the Democratic party
was the only party which could preserve the
nation. And yet it is only from Democrats, like
Mr. Davis Colleague in the Senate, that we hear
threats of disunion. Strange, as Bolts says,
that the only party which Can preserve, is the
only party which wishes to destroy the Union
Mr.. Green said Democracy was the only party
able to resist the Republican organization
Wherefore resist it, if "squatter sovereignty"-a
worse heresy than any the Republicans hold to,
Southern Democrats being witnesses-is to be
Struggled in by Northern Democrats By his
course in endeavoring to suppress debate, Mr..
Green favors the secret Introduction of this her
esy.
The debate, begun on Tuesday, was resumed
on Wednesday and continued till after midnight.
The amendment offered by Mr.. Hale was then
rejected. But the Legislature of Kansas has
already passed q law for the abolition Of slavery
in that Territory, and the occasion has arrived
for Senator Browns Congressional Intervention.