The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-04-01
The stockton Case.

1t is pretty evident that the junta OF
Radicals who rule the Senate, have
been deliberately concerting q plan to
Whittle down the Democratic and Con-
servative vote in that body, so as to
make the passage of any future mes
sure over the Presidents veto a
possible accomplishment The same
scheme has been pushed on with in
dustry in the House, already vacating
the seats of two members, and promis-
ing to relieve third of his position in
that body. The case of Senator Stock
ton, of New Jersey, however, is one of
a peculiar character. 1t is not q little
singular that the matter was suffered
to remain for whole year, and no one
thought of disturbing him in his seat
until the President had openly de-
nouneed Radicalism and New Jersey
had elected Legislature of the right
party stripe to return a Radical Senator
in Mr.. Stockton's place.
But let the occasion be what it might,
when the report of the Judiciary Com
mittee had come up for vote, declaring
that the New Jersey Senator had been
duly elected by his State Legislature
and was rightfully entitled to his seat,
nobody outside of the Senate looked
for such conduct in member of the
Senate as was shown by Mr.. Morrill,,
who had paired off with Mr.. Stockton's s
Colleague-Mr. Wright but who never
theless insisted on recording his vote
against Mr.. Stockton, in obedience to
the advice and orders of the Radical
leaders. Because he so far forgot what
was due to Mr.. Wright, to Mr. Stock
ton, to the Senate, and to himself, the
vote coming down to tie, Mr.. Stock
ton requested to have his own name
called and his vote recorded. He voted
for the report of the Judiciary Commit
tee, and for the legality and regularity
of the New Jersey Legislature His
vote was not strictly for himself, but
for the State he in part represented.
His colleague was absent, and the ar
rangement on which he thought he
could rely to make that absence not al
together a negation was suddenly bro
ken up. Unless, therefore, Mr.. Stock
ton himself voted, New Jersey would
have gone without voice on ques-
ton in which as a State she is vitality
interested.
But after all this, Senator Sumner,
who from the first had taken upon him
self the part of chief driver and whip
perrin against Mr.. Stockton, rises to
taunt the latter gentleman with a
want Of true delieacy of feeling, if not
of q gentlemsn's honor He sees
nothing out of the way in Senator Nor
rilIs conduct,-tkat is perfectly deli
cate, and speaks the man who is all
honor And he moves that Mr. Stock
tons vote, by way of penalty for hiB
presumption in defeating the Radical
game, be expunged from the Journal
Finding, however, that Senator Trum-
bull was willing to move reconsiders-
ton OF the vote by which Senator
Stockton retained his seat, he with
drew his expunging motion 10 make
room for that of reconsideration.
The indecency Of the whole transac-
ton IS but proper accompaniment Of
its downright tyranny. The Radicals
felt the blow Of the Presidents Freed
mems Bureau veto and his subsequent
speech 50 heavily, they have passed
sleepless nights ever since in devising
3 scheme by which they may overpoW-
or the courageous Executive who has
dared to oppose and denounoe them.
II things proceed at this pace and in
this direction, We shall shortly have q
Col Pride in the Capitol 'purging' the
National Legislature after the old
methods Of tyranny. The party whose
leaders do not hesitate at such action
As has been taken in the case Of Sena-
tor stockton, will by>And-by show nc
signs Of hinch5ns, at q proposition 70
impeach the President himself, If he
persisteDtiy stands in the way Of their
schemes aud Is resolved 70 serve moth
ing but the country.-BoIi0a PosL