The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-07

it's close Mr.. Davis was fully committed 10
the pOlicy of President Buchanan, and his
position was i'm perfect harmony Win that
Of all the leading statesmen OF the SCUM.
The most striking Of Mr.. Davis contests
with Douglas occurred on the 23d OF Febru-
ary, 1889 and on the 10th and 18th of May,
1860.
DEMOCRATIC DOCTRINE.
During the Thirty-siXth Congress, which
assembled in December, 1853, Mr.. DAVIS
was the recognized leader of the Democratic
majority in the senate. His efforts were,
during this session. probably the ablest IN
his life, and never did his great powers OF
analysis and generalization appear to great
or advantage.
on the "a Of February, 1860, Mr.. Davis
offered a series of seven resolves, which en-
bodied the views of the administration OF
an overwhelming majority Of the DenS-
cratic members Of the senate and oil the
Southern Democracy, and were opposed by
Mr.. Douglas, Mr.. Pugh, and by the aboll-
ton Senators.
The first resolution affirmed the s0yer-
eighty of the states, and their delegation OF
authority 10 the Federal Government. To Sc
cure each State against domestic, no less
than foreign dangers. This resolution was
designed with special reference 10 the re-
cent outrages of John Brown and his asso-
ciate cOnspirat0rs, several OF whom had eN-
plated their crimes on the gallows at the
hands of the Virginia authorities.
Resolution second affirmed the recogni-
ton of slavery a. property by the constitll-
ton. and thai ali efforts TO injure il by eth
zens Of non-slaye holding states are viola
tiOns of faith.
Third insisted on the absolute equality OF
the States.
Fourth. Rcsolred, That neither Con-
gress nor "A Terratorial legislature, whether
by direct legislation or Legislation OF an III
direct and unfriendly character, possesses
power 10 amend or impair the cOnstitu-
tional right of any citizen OF the United
states 10 take his slave property into the
common Territories, and their hold and en-
ioy the same while the territorial condition
remains
Fifth declared il the duty of Congress to
supply any needed protection TO cons'lin-
tional rights in Territory, provided the
executive and judicial authority mas not the
adequate means.
The sixth resolution was simply an en-
phatic reputation of what Mr.. Douglas. by
an ingenious peryersion OF terms, was
pleased 10 designate popular sovereignty.
Tie seventh and last OF the series affirmed
the validity and sanctity Of the Fugitive
Slave law and denounced all acts, whether
Of individuals or of state Legislatures, To
defeat its action.
The struggle upon these resolutions lasted
more than three months, the Senate not
reaching "A vote upon the first Of the series
until Nav "a, 1860. They constituted sub
stantially the platform presented by the
south az The Charleston Democratic Conven-
ton in April, and upon which, after The
withdrawal Of the Southern delegations, the
Presidential ticket Of Breckenridge ami
Lane was nominated and supported IN the
ensuing canvass, receiving the electorai
votes of eleven States OF the South.
Mr.. Davis, during these recent sessions OF
the senate. was an influential advocate Oh
the Pacific Railroad by the Southern route.
one of his most elaborate efforts was his ar
p1ment against the French >poilatlon bill
DENYING that the failure Of the government
in rs earlier history 20 prosecute tue Just
claims of American citizens on the no'erh-
roent Of France, made II incumbent ON tue
present generation 10 satisfy the Opiigailohs
~ Justice incurred in the past. hcn Con-
grcss met in 1859, the lawless expedition OF
John Brown had greatly accelerated tne IN
oyitable climax OF dlsunion. 1henceior-
ward the incipient revolution was, 70 a
',reat extent, transferred from the hands OF
Congress. whose action was but lightly r.,
oarJed in comparison with the animated
scenes which marked the State conventions