The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1860-05-19
Our Candidate.
JOHN BELL,
OF TENNESSEE.

cts, bestowed upon him the benefits of
sound education at Cumberland College
the present Nashville University. He chose
the law MS profession, went through the
usual studies, and at the early age of nine
TENN l8l6-was admitted to the bar. -
| He was elected State Senator in 1917. when
only twenty years old and after the first
term of service, he judiciously declined a
reelection, and retired to his profession, IN
| the active practice of which he remained for
| the next nine years.
| Entering the field against FELIX GRUMPY
| for Congress, in 1926, he was elected in 1927,
| by majority of one thousand, and was sue
ceSsively elected to the House Of Representa-
tives for fourteen years. during which period
his maine was prominently before the country
in connection with the most important
debates and measures.
Mr.. BELL was in favor of United States
Bank, but voted against its re.charter in
1882. He protested against the removal of
the deposits; refused to vote for the resolution
| approving that measure and thus the aliena-
ton of Mr. BELL from JACKSON aud the
Democratic party was initiated.
AT first MIR. BELL was energetically oppo.
sed to the protective system. and made a
speech against it in 1882; but he afterwards
| changed his opinions, and he has ever since
when the question has arisen, devoted his
ability and influence to the support of the
policy ofprotecling American industry. Mr..
BELL has also advocated the improvement of
the great rivers and lake-harhors, and oppo.
Sed lndscrimlnate appropriations for inter-
| nal improvements on roads and canals,
except IN an instance such as that of the
Pacific Railroad. He was appointed Chair
man of the Judiciary Committee of the House,
and was afterwards Chairman of the Commit
tee on Indian Affairs.
Mr.. BELL S secession from the Democratic
and cooperation with the Wing party, com
neuced with his refusal to vote for the reno
val of the deposits, and was accelerated by
his election to the Speakgrshlp of the House
Of Representatives in 1884.
The rupture between Mr.. BELL and
JACKSON eliminated in 1885 when the for.
mer completely threw off all allegiance to the
latter by opposing VAN buren, and declaring
orJudge WHITE as the Presidential successor.
Tennessee had thus far gone with JACKsoN's
administration ; and 1t could scarcely be
ANTICIPATED that the agitation of WHITE
and his associates could lift itself into
stalwart opposition, or that, if it did. the
personal and political influence of the Great
Chel could fail to quell it. WHITE carried
tennessee by large majority, and BELL was
re elected to Congress.
MI BELL favored the reception ofpctitions,
for the abolition of slavery in the District of
Columbia, and in 1886 aud 1913 distinguished
himself IN speeches upon that question.
In 1871, he went into the Cabinet of Gen.
eral HARRISON as Secretary of War, but
resigned in the autumn Of that year, under
Mr.. TYLER. BELL retired into privacy for
nearly six years, when, at the desire of his
country. he entered the State Senate. (lS47,)
The same year, vacancy occurring p the
United States Senate, he was elected to that
office. and subsequently, in 1858, reelected
Tor the term which expired March 4, 1859.
In this national arena Senator BELL &C.
CURED considerable repute. He favored the
Compromise Measures of 1920, and desired
to see the issues fully settled by division of
Texas into States. He opposed the Nebraska
bill, on the I'd Of March, 1854. gave his
objections at length, and with such force MS
to draw replies from Senators DAWSON,
DOUGLAS, and other leading advocates of the
measure. Senator BELL had opposed the
Nebraska Bill of the previous session when
1t contained no provision relative to the Mis-
souri, Compromise. He had not heard of any
proposition to repeal the latter until it was
offered in direct terms by Senator DIXON, of
Kentucky. Mr.. BELL S first objection was,
that there was no necessity for the measure
1t was an anomaly TO establish Governments
to extend over immense Territories in which
there was no white populs ton whose wants
required such Governments. He thought the
demand for Territorial Governments should
be proven in anticipation of an increase of
| m, m ltft h,rn 4 IL
that provision ought to be made for the tribes
beyond Wind Hills and in the Rocky Noun
ta,ns; that information OF the number of
necessary military posts should be laid before
Congress; and full detaiIs of this policy of
extending the Government So far beyond TIE
present limits of civilization. There were
oO0 oO0,UO0 acres in these Territories. -
lhey would support an empire. 1t was a
magnificent idea to build up an immense
empire; and he knew not which most to
admire-the genius or boldness displayed by
Senator DOUGLAS in the conception of and
pressing OF the measure to carry out his
grand idea. He thought the Senator from
Illinois had for some time had mania for
esta blshng new Governments. He was the
author of the New Mexico and Utah bills.
and also of Washington Territory. He had
|
Governments, and now proposed to erect two
more: Not content with the glory Of being
Cond'!or lmpcrli, the Senator was emulous
OF The fame Of Clarissimus- Condi.or Impcr.
forum: MIR. BELLS next Objection arose out
OF the provisions touching the Indian tribes.
Those Indians who had been carried to this
Territory from east Of the Mississippi. had
been guaranteed home never to be surrounded
by any Ten itolal Government. He had
examined the bill, ard held that, as it stood
1t was clear explicit violation OF the Indian
treaties. IN this connection, he condemned
the course of those who made such ado about
breaking faith with the African race. and
dld not say word in behalf of the Indians. -
The Wiloerforces of the Senate" said ho,
had no word Of sympathy with any per.
sons it they were not Africans y
In 1856. (Alay 27,I Senator BELL took a
decided stand in favor of the Mississippi
River bill, introduced by Senator Slidell, Ior
the opening of the mouth of the Father OF
Waters.
Early in 1858 the Legislature of Tennessee
passed resolutions instructing its representa-
tives IN Congress to vote for the admission OF
Kansas under the Lccompton Constitution
On the presentation of these resolutions to
the Senate, Mr.. BELL reviewed them at length
with his accustomed piquancy, and justified
his opposition to them.
In the great Lecompton debate Of March,
1888, Senator BELL still further. and in a
very elaborate specch-ex.ending through
the day and evening sessions of the 18th =.
cyau o mo-,