Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-05-14
,,,.,.,.,,orInI Policy.

&c tho chief merits OF the republican
: that its doctrines have been clearly
I'd uneouivocally defined. 1t stands upon no
dou,ttul platform. 1t promulgates no evasive
nolicv. OF the measures which it has at any
time proposed employing to carry out its ac-
cepted principles, not one has been more dis
tinctly stated, or has received more cordial
and united assent, than that which recognizes
the power of Congress over the territories,
and which declares that. in the exercise of
this power, it is both the right and the
imperative duty of Congress to prohibit
polygamy and slavery in them. 1t was
dopted, and became a part of the republi-
an policy because it was fundamentally
correct. Ii has been repeatedly re affirmed in
this, and in every other state where republican
conventions have been held, and has invaria-
bly, been the accepted basis of political action
by their representatives i'll Washington. In
pursuance of this policy, and in Difference to
the unanimous conviction of his constituents,
Mr.. Thayer, the present member from the
ninth district, stated at caucus held at the
City Hall, October ID, 1885, that whenever
the Wilmot-proviso should be introduced he
should be found voting with the rest of the re-
publcans in its favor" With still greater
pertinence and force, and upon this precise
question of republican policy, Mr. Thayer
stated in the convention from which he re-
ceived his nomination, October It'll, 1858, that
whatever minor differences might exist be-
tween himself and any of his constituents, as
to the best instrumentalities to be used for the
time in opposing the slave power he should be
always found roting and acting, in whatever
position he might be placed, with the great
republican party Of the country; for in this
party consisted the only hope of freemen."
This question has been raised twice during
the present session of Congress, once with
reference to the question OF polygamy, and
once, of slavery. In the first instance, Mr.
Thayer took occasion, with peculiar AFRO
gance to style the bill for the suppression Of
polygamy, an exhibition of paper authority,
and of spasmodic morality )" and to declare
that che was opposed to the whole policy of
organizing territories under this government"
and that che would never vote, as he never
had voted, so TO organize them" The second
instance occurred last week-the committee
on territories, introducing bills for the organ
ization of territorial governments, each of
which contained an anti-slavery clause. These
were submitted as the leading republican mea-
sures of the session, and were based upon the
well def ned policy of the party. Mr.. Thayer
actively opposed them from the beginning
pronouncing " the idea Of congressional
interference a humbug," and, upon his
motion, they were severally laid upon
the table. On the first vote Mr.. Thayer stood
alone with his unaccustomed allies; on the
rest lie was joined by five or six other mem
bers who were elected by republican votes.
We do not propose to do more than to state
the relation which Mr.. Thayer has assumed
toward his republican associates in Congress-
nor to discuss the slight regard in which he
seems to hold the just expectations of his
constituents. 1t is sufficient for our present
purpose to say that, so far as the Massachu-
sets delegation in Congress is concerned, they
are unit upon these important measures, and
regard the detection of one of the number
with as much regret as any of his constituents