Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-07-21
VI. Pryor---Now aud Then.

The Hon Roger A. Pryor is MOg Seceder, and SUP
porter OF Beeknringe considering the Territorial ques
ton Of the highest possible Importance Such not his
position a few months ago. We have before a speech
of his delivered in the House of Representatives De-
oember 2slh, 1859, from which make the following
extract for the benefit Of the Douglas men in Virginia
aud the Douglas Democracy generally
Il Gene now to the Kansas compromise Of 1854 as
the honorable gentleman describes It, reference which
feel 70 be delicate and embarrassing. In respect OF
this give my opinion that neither the Northern
or Southern Democracy guilty OF intentional vio
lation Of engagement
The truth is that the Nebraska bill was suscep
.be OF varons reading. OBVIOUS enough on its face
ike paimpsest, il contained matter OF grave import
beneath the surface We Of the South said the principle
f the bill was that the people OF Territory might de-
termine the question OF slavery in the exercise OF State
sovereignty and in the OF organizing State govern
ment Others maintain that the principle OF the bill re-
ognized the right OF the people, by act Of territorial
legislation 10 determine the question Of slavery IL is
palpabe important, and, apprehend rreparable, diff
ference Of construction. However, since, for inter-
pre,aou we have the authority of the highest judicial
tribunal there is to hope it may eventually pre-
vail But be that i! may, protest against the
sumption that opinion territoriIl pOeer shall be
made test Of political fdslty. can understand hou
ne enemies Of ths Democracy may employ and agra.
rate he issue az rsdye to rsHd ds'Naer tie unity Of
,.- parts: 6ai cannot comprehend hoe any Democrat
eo, assist ~ the sEicli oDsraiOR Ia oil politieai
,ai-aiioas hcre must Be open questions IL Is
apossi6s to enforce exact conformity Of opinion
,,5 srerv subject of speculation. The pOIicy of tie
Democratic party has 6seH to tolerate difference Of
,,iaion ia tbs matter Of Territorial porsr
The appointment Of General Cas-, the recognized
thor OF me squaiter-soyeregnty dogma, to the chief
place in the present Democratic Administration provok
ed no comps int remonSrance from the Democracy Of
the South an for ddhsring 10 this jHdciols policy
this "sal,stary neglect persist ~ Hty opinion;
mill battle for is recognition Ly The Government: but
Tell Ho. Dc much The 6iyot TO sacfee my friends,
mn Dariy aud Dy country 10 TIE idol Of my peculiar
sc,latiouS III he story If the last Seige and cdpita
luton Of CoHstaAtiHopie, there many morifyiRg
llu,trations Of human, d prGuity; 6t eiregastaRce
of that frghti episode shocks The SeRSibilitsS aud
aliases oar prids the perRGReios alterations Of the
DEGENERATE Greeks, goEgs ISSUES, iH the rery age
Az Of he struggle and chile tie barbarian hosts
laundering at the gates Of tie city IL hs infatUa-
Iio. # a race sBsitteH With The vengeance Of Hedren.-
Bat national party iHtsrpossS between the Capitol
and the triumph Of sectional eReroaehaenf; and shall
hs Democracy, an presence Of the enemy and NTH such
,agbfy issues n SUSPENSE Bardyzs their strength By J
r,s eoatssts over ifIferior aud rrslsVdHt II
tbey DO then Gill expire the last hope Of tts Union.
no sir; kocseer 7 differ from the Democracy Of the
North on Ibis or ha. dogma hare for tea cOrd IF
ai or reproaeh bat many gords Of tolerance and fra
tsynal friendship, raihsr When recount their past
,rploiks. rEeH recount the many signal instances Of
mir ralor and dsvotioR; rheR them brdUely bear
an against hs prsSsre Of assTse influences, and emerge
,sedAd from the fiery furnace Of fdsa,eai persecution,
or faI AeroieaIly Spartan band ia The TA0moPyq Of
the Union scspt dom By the assaults Of rssistess
bers: rke,s citi,ess their eiy this RoO", and IN
this struggle: Whs R Dy feeble edeGgors TO up
hold The rights Of tie South and the Supremacy Of the
CaItittiior, feel the support Of their generous arms
aud ana ehs,rsa By tie SQUAD Of their frdtsrHGl vOee;
shen reaal and observe these things aud still hear the
Democrats of the North approached By Representatives
from tbs South, da compelled 10 erelaa, cith ths an
digAdRt Roman: