Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-06-13
Gross Outrage.


It is one Of the most lamentable facts Of the pres
ent day, says the Washington Consultation, that the
party Of the Opposition have become so thoroughly
subjected to the influence Of mere partisan consid-
erations that even the majority Of their legislators
are unable to view public question in any other
light than partisan one. It once the case that
the responsibilities Of public station would at least
partially convert the partisan ont Of Office into the
impartial statesman in Office; and under such circum
stances it was possible that justice might occasional
y be DONE even though it might be in favor of po-
htica opponents but in these days, if take the la
test examples furnished US by Republican House
Of Representatives as illustrative Of the facts queE
lions Of right are no more those which attract the
attention Of the legislators belonging that faction
but solely questions as to how the Republican party
can be most largely benefited by the immediate
measures proposed. Thus, we believe that at no
former period Of our political history have mere
partisan considerations entered into the Judicial
question Of the right of person to a seat and vote
in the national House of Representatives to anything
like such aHextent they have been introduced into
the present House; the abolition majority in which
seem to have entirely suppressed every argument
which ought to govern the admission or rejection ola
claimant and to have given in their adhesion, in a
body the principle thatan aboitionlst abOli-
ton ally, must in every case no matter what the tes-
timony be admitted to possess the to contested
seat There has not been wanting indications, from
the early part present session of Congress that
the united opposition had determined from the first
to carry this idea into practice. The conspiracy
was foreshadowed by the votes Of DAVIS and HAIR
MS, of Maryland, and ANDERSON, Of Kentucky-all
Of whom occupied contested seats-for Black Re
publican Speaker; and it still more clearly in
dicated when these same men aided their Black Re
publican partners to GUST Mr.. COOPER, Democrat
Of Michigan, and to seat Mr. HOWARD, Black Re
publican, in his place. That act clearly VIC
laon of the integrity Of the elective franchise and
succeeding upon that instance Of usurpatiOn has
come another equally gross, if not so, viz the
expulsion of Mr.. BARRETT, the sitting member from
St. Louis and the installation Of Mr.. FRANK P. BLAIR
jr., in what without the shadow of a doubt, is Mr.
BARRETFs rightful seat We are actually somewhat
at loss for language to characterize the nonchalan
monstroslty of this transaction. We do not suppose
that a single member who voted to admit Mr.. FRANZ
P. BLAIR to represent St Louis believed him to be
any better entitled 70 the seat than Mr.. HORACE
GREELEY is because it must have been impossible
thing Mr.. BLAIR proved nothing Mr.. BARRETT, on
tbe contrary, fairly proved the negative Of Mr.
BAam's claims thing which he was not at all
bound to do But no proof whatever its strength
was to be permitted to avail the sitting member,
since Mr. BLAIR, from his recent defeat at Chi
csgO, it was fOregone, must be admitted. And Sc
the outrage was perpetrated, and a consttuencywas
disfranchised; and precedent was set which leaves
every member of the minority in a Black Republican
legislative body in danger Of the loss Of his seat
through the reckless usurpation Of power by the ma
jorty THERE'S but one remedy for such usurpations
since each house Of Congress is the sole Judge Of
the qualifications Of its members; but it is hoped
that the opposition lease Of power in the only branch
Of Government it now controls will cease before
there can be any occasion for resort to that rene
dy We cannot deny, however that the action Of tbs
Black Republican majority in the House in this cast
hiss startled and even somewhat alarmed the friends
of the Constitution 1t is considered additional evi
dence that theBack Republicans, if possessed Of the
power will stop at no constitutional guarantees t.
accomplish the ends Of their party.
The vote by which Mr.. BAERETT's seat was takeI
from him was "a against 92 the ayes being all Blacl
Republicans, except Henry WINTER DAVIS, of Mary
land and WyL c. ANDERSON, of Kentucky, both o.
whose seats are contested. They also voted to ad
NIT Mr. BLAIR. By the votes of these two Southern
Oppositionists has this gross outrage been perpe
trated.
The telegraph reports that Mr. BLAIR expresses
willingness to resign his seat and go before the PEG
pie Of the St Louis congressional district but hi
friends oppose such course. They know full wei
that he could not be elected.