our national affairs, and more especially as shown in removing Americans' (by lesignation) and Conservatives in principle, from office, and placing foreigners and Ultraists in their places; a shown in a truckling subserviency to the stronger, and an insolent and cowardly bravado towards the weaker powers; as shown in reopening sectional agitation by the repeal of the Missouri Compromise; as shown ir granting to unnaturalized foreigners the right of suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska; as shown in its vacillating ourse on the Kansas and Nebraska question; as showr in the corruptions which pervade some of the Departnents of the Government; as shown in the disgracing meritorious naval officers through prejudice or caprice; and as shown in the blundering mismanagement of our foreign relations.

"14. Therefore, to rem dy existing evils, and prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise resulting therefrom, we would build up the Anerican Party' upon the principles herein before stated.

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"15. That each State Council shall have authority to amend their several constitutons, so as to abolish the several degrees, and substitute a pledge of honor, instead of other obligations, for fellowship and admission into the party.

"16. A free and open dscussion of all political principles embraced in our platform.”

The triangular contest was conducted with great earnestness and spirit. In the heat of the contest a resort was had to vituperation and personal abuse, which the reflection of calmer hours must condemn.

The issue before the people was a new one. The contest rested between an old party, intrenched in power and endued with the prestige of success and position, and a new one organized for the firs: campaign, uncertain, because

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untried, of its own strength and capabilities; yet buoyant in hope and confident in the justice of its principles.

The result was not an unexpected one. The Democratic candidates were successful, receiving of the electoral vote 174, all from Southern States, except those from California, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The Republican nominees received of the electoral vote 114, all from Northern States. The American candidates received of the electoral vote 8-Maryland. The popular vote, except South Carolina, whose Legislature designates the electors, was divided as follows: Buchanan, 1,834,337; Fremont 1,541,812; Fillmore 873,055. From the Free States Mr. Buchanan received 1,224,750; Fremont 1,340,618; Fillmore 393,590. From Slave States, Buchanan 609,587; Fremont 1,194; Fillmore 479,465. Buchanan over Fremont, 492,525. Buchanan received 45 per cent. of the popular vote, and 59 per cent. of electors; Fremont received 33 per cent. of votes, and 38 per cent. of electors Fillmore received 22 per cent. of votes, and 3 per cent. of electors.

The last session of the thirty-fourth Congress closed with the Administration of Franklin Pierce, March 4th, 1857.

Among the acts of general interest which became. laws during this session, were those requiring the prepayment of postage on all transient printed matter; the appropriation of $630,000 for the construction of wagon roads in the Western Territories; authorizing the inhabitants of Minnesota to form for themselves a Constitution and State government; to protect settlers under the act to graduate and reduce the price of public lands; relative to the submarine Telegraph; for "reducing the duty on imports and for other purposes," and railroad land grants for Minnesota and Alabama.

During the previous session of the thirty-fourth Congress, all efforts for the relief of Kansas failed for want of harmony of action between the two Houses. At the last session, Mr. Grow, of Pennsylvania, from the Com mittee on Territories, in behalf of the Republican majority of the Committee, reported to the House " a bill for the relief of the people of Kansas."

It enacted "that all riles or regulations purporting to be laws, or in the form of laws, adopted at Shawnee Mission, in the Territory of Kansas, by a body of men claiming to be the legislative assembly of said Territory, and all acts and proceedings whatsoever of said assembly, are hereby declared invalid and ɔf no binding force and effect."

It further provided that the Territorial Governor should call another election, making the necessary provisions therefor. The qualifications of voters were defined, and penalties attached to fraudulent voting.

The object of the bill was to begin de novo in the legislation of the Territory, and secure protection to the actual residents in the exercise of their franchise.

The vote was finally reached in the House and the bill passed-yeas 98; 92 Republicans, and 6 Americans, all from Free States; nays 79, 65 from Slave, 14 from Free States, 20 Americans, and 59 Democrats.

The bill was sent to the Senate, and on motion of Mr. Adams, of Mississippi, after a brief debate, was laid upon the table; 30 to 20. Ayes 22 from Slave States, 8 from Free States; nays all from Free States, except Messrs. Bell of Tennessee, and Houston of Texas. So the bill was laid on the table.

Franklin Pierce left the presidential chair with the regrets of neither party. His administration commenced under most flattering auspices. He was elected by such a vote as had not been accorded to any candidate for

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many years, receiving more than six to one of the electoral votes. The country was at peace. Domestic questions of a disturbing nature were regarded as being harmoniously adjusted; and Mr. Pierce was borne to the Presidency on the wave of popular applause, and there supported by a Congress, comprising a large majority in either branch of his own political friends. Yet surrounded by all these appliances the Administration was far from being a successful one. Its own hand threw the apple of discord which transformed the happy scene depicted in his inaugural and first message into one of wildest discord; which aroused and imbittered old animosities, stimulated sectional feelings, and kindled the torch of civil war. The course pursued by the President and his supporters rapidly augmented the strength of the opposition; and the House of Representatives was so changed, that at the opening of the second Congress, that branch was organized with an opposition Speaker. The financial and general interests of the country likewise suffered. His own friends refused him a renomination, and he was turned aside for a new man.

CHAPTER XV.

ADMINISTRATION OF JAMES BUCHANAN,-1857.

JAMES BUCHANAN was inaugurated President of the United States on the 4th of March, 1857. The ceremonies attending the inauguration were similar to those on other occasions of a like character.

The President appointed as his constitutional advisers, Lewis Cass, of Michigan, Secretary of State; Howell Cobb, of Georgia, Secretary of the Treasury; Jacob Thompson, of Mississippi, Secretary of the Interior; Isaac Toucey, of Connecticut, Secretary of the Navy; John B. Floyd, of Virginia, Secretary of War; J. S. Black, of Pennsylvania, Attorney-General; and Aaron V. Brown, of Tennessee, Postmaster-General.

The thirty-fifth Congress organized its first session December 7, 1857.

There were large Democratic majorities in both branches. In the Senate, the Vice-President being absent, Mr. Fitzpatrick, of Alabama, was elected President pro tempore. The House organized in the election of James L. Orr, of South Carolina, Democrat, Speaker, by 128 votes, to 84 for Galusha A. Grow, Republican, and 13 scattering. The President's first annual Message opens with a discussion of the financial condition of the Government. The moneyed pressure to which allusion is here