Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-09-21
political.
JOHN BELL AND HIS RECORD.
KEEP IL BEFORE TIE PEOPLE.
CHAPTER /

uoulluhttd u UAu ISIl luT l. lSsluSu9, upOH
the following basis;
=" Resolccd, That it is both the part of
patriotism and of duty, to recognise no
political principles other than
The Constitution Of the Country,
The Union of the States, and
The enforcement Of the Laws"
Mr.. BELL APPROVES IT.
On the 22nd of July, 1860, Mr.. Bell,
in reply to letter Of Mr.. Watts, of Ala
bama, asking him his opinion on certain
public questions, declined to answer, aud
said
Had I been a member of the Con-
vention, | would have resisted the adop-
ton of any platform or other declaration
of principles not embraced or implied in
the three fundamental propositions or
objects intended to be maintained or Sc
cured by the National Union Party, and
which constitute the basis Of its organi-
cation"
WHAT ROBERT Z. SCOTT THINKS OF
THIS BASIS.
In the Opposition State Convention at
Richmond, Va, Feb. 9th, 1860, Mr..
Scott said:
I" If we hoist the banner Of the Wing
party, we would all know its principles,
for they are familiar as household words.
If we adopt the banner of the American
party, their principles are known to the
country. What are the principles Of the
new party? 1t has been said their ban
ner will be inscribed with tile " Coastt-
tuition, tie U1tioa, and enforcement Of
the lars" Certainly, very pretty in
scription, but mo,tocs are not prtacjpzes.
But hoao is the Constitution 10 be inter-
preted What laws are to be executed
and acho are to cxpound them are ques-
tions that need to be answered. We are
here as brothers-as Virginiaus and
whilst l veuerate the Union and the coun-
try, 1 love Virginia more Applause.
< = believe if all the opposition
elements in the various States were hand
ed together they could succeed But
if those elements were not united on
! some National principle, the fruits would
turn to ashes in our hands"
MR.. BELL REFERS TO HIS RECORD.
Mr.. Bell, in his letter referred to, says
"To the inquiries of all such letters
there was but one reply, as ] conceived,
which could, consistently and properly,
be made under the circumstances Of nv
position; which was, to refer the writer's
to my past course, to the Ujews and opiIe-
ions / hare aeretofore held and oppressed
on the subjects or questions embraced in
their letters"
To the past record of his views and
opinions he appeals for the popular favor,
and to it therefore let us 60.
MR.. BELLS RECORD.
The first thing that strikes us in that
record, is the fact that in the various dis
putes which have arisen ia Congress upon
the slavery question, and when the friends
of the country. North and South, have
labored to effect honorable settlements
and thus secure tranquility to the people
and safety to the Union, Mr.. Bell has
proved very impracticable, and has very
often been found voting against his owa
people and the Northern national men,
and in company with the abolitionists. -
Now for the proof.
MIR. BELL VOTES AGAINST THE CLAY.
TON COMPROMISE.
Hon. j. NJ. Clay ton was distinguish
ed wing senator from Delaware, and was
Secretary Of State under President Fill
more. In lS48, he introduced into the
Senate a bill for the settlement Of the
question of slavery in the newly acquir-
cd Mexican territories, 1t is known as
the Clayton Compromise. It proposed
10 allow the Territorial legislature
" Power to Iegislate upon all subjects
consistent with the constitution and laws
Of the United States, but no power 10
prohibit or establish African slavery by
law. An appeal was provided from all
decisions of the territorial judges in cases
Of writs Of habeas corpus, or other cases
where the issue Of personal freedom
should be presented TO the Court" MIR.
Clayton's speech, March LIST, 1854.
This proposition to refer the decision
Of the territorial slavery, to lie Courts.
requiring tic territoriqI legislatures mean
phiie nal 10 interfere, was passed in the
Senate, on the Goth Of July, 1913, by a
vote of 80 to %, after a continuous ses-
sion of y hoys $50 eranest was the
struggle.
Among the yeas were Messrs. Butler
and Calhoun, Of S. c., Davis, Of Miss,
DoHgtos, % Fooie, Houston, Hunter
Mason, Reyerdy johnson, johnson, Of
Ga, Bcuton and Berrien, and eyeyy
Southern nun ercem tico.
Among the nays were Hale, Hamlin,
Corwin, BELL, and only one other South
ern man.
Mr.. Hunter says this compromise was
the best for the South that has ever been
proposed. Mr.. Douglas supported it,
though itrepudiated Squatter Sovereign
ty. IT is now known that it would have
settled the question in favor Of the South.
MR.. BELL VOTED AGAINST THE KAN
SAS NEBRASKA TERRITORIAL BILL.
The Bill organising Kansas Territory,