The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-05-04


/ 81 know that sometimes we talk about
compromises. am not q compromiser, nor
q conservative, in the usual acceptation OF
these terms. have been generally oonsid-
cred radical, and do not come forward to
day, in any thing shall say or propose. ask.
ing ything to be done upon the principle OF
compromise. If we ask for anything 1t
should be for that which is right and reason
able in itself. It being right. those OF whom
we ask it, upon the great principle of right.
are bound to grant it. Compromise 1
know, in the common acceptance of the term,
it Is to agree to certain propositions in which
some things are conceded on one side and
others conceded on the other / shall 90 for
enactments by congress, or amendments to
the constitution, upon the principle that they
are right, and upon no other ground. L am
not for compromising right with wrong. If
we have no right we ought not to demand it.
If we are in the wrong they should not grant
what we ask. l approach this momentous
subject on the great principle of right, asking
nothing and demanding nothing but what is
right in itself, and which every high minded
man and right minded community, and u
right minded people who wish to preserve
this government, will be disposed to grant.
SLAVERY IN THE TERRITORIES.
Mr.. johnson, in the United States senate,
during discussion on squatter sovereignty
said
1T is believed to be important to legislate
in reference to slavery in the territories, and
if the supreme court of the United States have
decided, as / believe thew have, that slaves
are property, AMI if the legislative authori-
ties of the territories have attempted to inter-
fere with, or impair the rights of Shareholders
in the territories, why not, like men, propose,
by legislative enactment by congress, to pro-
tect slave property in the territories? Why,
when we are pressed to the wall shall we
say that it is inexpedient to legislate, but
that we aare willing to make declaration of
opinion now? Why not come up and meet
the question squarely? ] am prepared to
vote on the proposition, not In the abstract
and Intellectual and unofficial form of sim
pie resolution. but l am willing to record my
vote upon a bill one way or the other. That
will test our sincerity on this important ques
ton"
HoNESTEADs.
In the senate, March 80, 1852, Mr.. John.
son In Offering an amendment to the home
stead bill, declared himself in favor of per-
hitting persons to enter upon the occupation
of public lands, without regard to property
qualifications whatever.
THE TARIFF.
On June 90. 1916. upon the question of the
tariff, Mr.. johnson said, in advocating an
amendment to the proposition before the
house, that he proposed by this amendment
to leglslate upon the principle that the bur-
dens OF the government should be upon the
rich and not the poor, upon the principle that
1t would produce the greatest good to sh9
greatest number.
If they were TO coufne the whole of the
United States 30 what were strictly necessa
ries, the whole population could live upon
bread and water, aud every thing else would
be considered comfort and CONVENIENCE
This was q theory to which he was opposed
and by his vote he should never be found to
countenance such system. He laid down,
rs fundamental principle, that the expenses
OF the government, and particularly those in
| incurred In time of war. should he sustained
| by that portion who enjoy the greatest am
| cunt of protection In this view of
the subject, the impolicy of taxing the poor
mans tea and coffee 10 carry al a war which
was mainly for the protection of the rich was
clearly seen. The burdens of taxation
| (Mr. j. proclaimed) should be shifted off the
shoulders of the poor, who had too long borne
an undue and exhorbitant proportion of them
and should be put upon the wealth OF the
country.
N THE Expulsion Oh HON. JESSE d. BRIGHT
FROM THE SENATE.
Where is John C. Brecbenridge-a man
| for Whose promotion to the presidency | did
what | could, physically, mentally and pecu-
niariv? But when he satisfied me that he
| was for breaking up this government and
would ere long be traitor to his country, i
dropped him as / would the senator from In
diana. He was here al the last session Of
congress, and every body could see then that
he was on the road to the traitors camp
Instead of sustaining the government, he, too,
was crying cut for peace but he was bitter
against 'Llucoln's government" Sir, when
l talk about preserving this great government
Il do not ha7e its executive officers In my
mind. The executive head of the govern
ment comes in ana goes out of office every
four years. 1t is the same creature of the
people. | talk about the government withou,
regard tc the particular executive officers who
have charge of it. If they do well we contin.
| ne them. If they do wrong we can throw
them out. Mr.. Lincoln having come in &C.
cording TO the laws and the conctitution. |,
! loving the government and the Union, felt j,
to be my duty to stand by the administration
in all those measures / believed to be proper
and necessary for tho preservation and per.
petuation of the Union.
THE OREGON QUESTION AND WAR WITH GREAT