Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-02-25
Indiana Senators. State Rights--U. S.
Senate--Pro-slavery Despo,ism.

nate--Pro-slavery Dcspoiism.
John Randolph, Of Roanoke, during his
long stay IN the American Congress, de-
cllrcd himself the special advocate Of State
rights. again,, the eneroaehments OF the
central power in the government. This has
been called democratic doctrine. What.
ever may have been the action Of that party
in times past, re'psctin; the relative rights
OF the Federal government and the States /;
1t canno, b. disguised. that it is fast plum.
sing into a central dospstism. One Of the
mos, alarming acts OF thi. party, j. found
IN it. action upon the question Of United
States Senators from the State u Indiana,
We have in times pasi explained the modus
opcrandi, in which Mes.rs. Bright and
Fitch found their way into the L ;. Sen.
ate. The Stat, OF Indiana never by her leg
islaturc sent them there. They were elect.
ed by a minority Of tie state senators, act
Ing against the organized action OF that
body. A few Senator, struggled into tho
House o, Representatives, and with a por.
ton Of the member. Of that body, went
through tho ridiculous farce Of voting COR
Bright aud Fitch, for United States Scna.
tors. These two in,erlopers went to Wash.
ington. and were allowed 20 take their seat,
IN the Senate. Their cases were referred 10
the judiciary committee. Here il was de-
layed month after month, in the meantime
these two usurpcrs were acting aud voting
As Senators. jus, Gefure the Close Of the
long session, mnjprity Of the Senate was
guilty Of the mean act, OF declaring these
two usurpcrs entitled to their seats. This
was doubtless done as "A consideration Tor
" services rendered" Tor the slave power.
Since that time. the Indiana legislature
me'-pas.ed resolution. declaring Mcssr-
Brish, and Fitch were not legally elected :,
and IN Conformity with thc.c resolutions,
elected Messr-. Lane aud MeCariy, Sena.
tors from Indiana. These two senators
elect went to Washington, to claim their
seats. How were they met? Why, the
samO men who voted to admit the two IN.
lerlopCrs, turned round aud declared thc
question was settled, and could not he re-
opened. The debate upon that question
Was one OF the mos, brilliant, that has taken
place during tins Congress. 1t is thus
graphically described IN the telesraphic col.
umns Of the y. Y. Tribune
" The republican Senators who p.rucipa.
tel in the debate, we're Messr.. Cullamer,
Seward. rrumbull, Hale. f,sscnIcn. and
Harlan. 1t was protraeted to a very late
hour, and held the audience to the last.
The Indiana usurper. were mos. miscrably
upheld by Mssrs. Green. POgh. 3ayard.
and Bephmin. They could not be brought
to defend the elections by which Mcssrs.
Bright and Fitch were fols,cd into the Sen.
ate. but conten,cd themselves by declaring
it to be a case already decided. The cnor.
nifty Of the outrage was depicted by The re-
publican Senators, with grea, thor0ughness
and signal effect. Mr.. Seward declared hi.
purpose to advocate the cxpunsins process
upon the resolutions by which Mcs-rs.
Bright and Fitch were declared elected,
now and forever. His energy Of discourse
and animation OF matter were unusual. lie
brought in the original journal Of the Sen.
ate, with the famous cIpunsed resolution,
which almost every Senator took biz turn
in examining, apparently with srea, inter-
est. Mr.. Hale took up the discussion after
Mr.. Seward, and was unusually fOrciblc
AMI eloquent Mr.. Trumbull followed, ar
guiBg tie case with much force and ability.
Mr.. Harlan spoke with great pertinenee.
The interest Of tho discussion, however, rose
to its greatest height over the bold, clear
demonstrations Of Mr.. Pitt fessenden, who
exhibited a iresh specimen Of his remarka-
Jlt NuhllAlN- "a w W.
gent. incisiye, cut and thrust, een,lemanly
debate, he has no superior in the Senate, or
any where elso. Mr.. Benjamin retorted IN
vigorous onslaught on tho republicans.
Mr.. ressenden came back upon him in adj
mrablc reply, which was listened to with
great delight, especially by the galleries.
Mr.. Benjamin eat on Goals while il was be-
in: delivered" This vote, admitting
Mossrs. Bright and Fitch. and excluding
Messrs. Lane and MeCarty, is one pregnant
with fearful forebodinss for the Republic.
This is the frst case IN which the United
States Senate has undertaken 10 override
State legislature. II carried out, 1t de-
priyes a sovereign State Of the power given
IL by the Federal constitution. of electing
its Senator's. II is complete, absolute,
usurpation by the United States Senate, Of
the right OF State to elect its Senators.
Garry out this abominablc doctrine, and
every State in the Union j. q mere CIPHER.
H..