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ACQUISITION OF CUBA.

317

The bill donating public lands to the several States and Territories for the support of Colleges for the promotion of agriculture and the mechanic arts, which passed the House at the first session of the present Congressayes 104, nays 100-was taken up and debated at length in the Senate, and passed-yeas 25, nays 22. The affirmatives were Republicans 17; Democrats 4; and Ameri

cans 4.

Negatives, Democrats 22.

The bill was transmitted to the President, and returned with a veto message.

The President asked Congress to place at his disposal the sum of $30,000,000 to enable him to carry forward negotiations with a view to the acquisition of Cuba. A bill was introduced into the Senate, making appropriations to facilitate the proposed undertaking. The amount to be set apart corresponded with the President's desire. The measure was discussed at some length; receiving the support of the Democrats and opposition of the Republicans, seconded by a portion of the Americans. It was urged against the bill that it was inexpedient and uncalledfor, and was put forth by the dominant party as a means for augmenting party strength. A motion to lay the bill on the table was lost-ayes 18, nays 30. This the friends of the measure regarded a test vote, and for reasons not assigned, permitted the bill to rest for the remainder of the session.

An unsuccessful attempt was made by the friends of the Administration to increase the rates of postage on letters transported by mail.

Mr. J. Holt, of Kentucky, was appointed to the head of the Post Office Department, to fill the vacancy created by the decease of Mr. Brown.

The Administration at the opening of the thirty-fifth session, had a large majority in both branches of Con

gress, but before the close of the second term it was prostrated. Its favorite measures were rejected. The $30,000,000 for Cuban purposes was refused; power to extend a military protectorate over a part of Mexico, was not vested in the hands of the President. His tariff bill was slain in the household of his friends;" and only by sufferance could the Administration secure an assent to any of its projects.

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The Democratic party seems to be gravitating on the question of involuntary servitude, to an extreme position. From an affirmation of the power of Congress to legislate for the Territories, it passed to popular sovereignty; which was repudiated on the first demand for its application, in the instance of the Territory of Kansas. From the consideration of the Kansas question sprang two factions; the one affirming the doctrine of popular sovereignty, the other demanding with equal earnestness that Congress is required by the Constitution to prohibit Territories from abolishing or inhibiting slavery therein. Then succeeds an attempt to reconcile opposing factions of the party on the theory of submitting the entire questions of slavery in the Territories to the Federal Courts.

Strong indications are manifest of the reöpening of the African slave trade in some of the Southern States; which the Government seems to lack the ability or disposition to restrain.

With the doctrine of the Democratic party on the question of slavery the Republicans take issue; and the election of Representatives for the thirty-sixth Congress indicate a decided Republican gain.

The American organization is rapidly losing in both numbers and strength. Its members seem to be gravitating, as their principles incline, to one or the other of the two great opposing parties.

ELECTION OF N. P. BANKS, JR., SPEAKER.

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Reconstruction of parties seems to have grown into a law of necessity in the Republic. Questions once instinct with life become obsolete. Changing events evolve new interests which give a bias to the popular mind that finds an exponent in existing parties, or, failing in this, drives them thence, and calls into being other and more efficient political organizations.

The Federal party, which boasted the erection of the palace of constitutional liberty, and the shaping of public opinion, and gloried in ruling over all with the rod of empire, retained its form and dignity long after the scepter of its power was broken.

The old Republicans, who, in unity of strength overthrew the battlements of the adversary, and achieved many a brilliant victory, came to war among themselves and went into the field in squads, in files, and in detach ments, each under its chosen and constituted leader.

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The Whig organization, earnest and enthusiastic, served purpose and gave way to the growing demands of the people.

The Democratic party, proud, arrogant, haughty, and successful, swaying from its former faith and practice, still goes forth under the old banner, but not with its former unity. The revolution in its principles is none the less radical because the old name is retained.

The two great parties now pitted against each other must yield to the law of necessity, and give place to other organizations, or go forth adapting themselves to the ever-growing and changing interests of a great and progressive people.

APPENDIX.

CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

WE the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this CONSTITUTION for the United States of America.

ARTICLE. I.

SECTION. 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

SECTION. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

No person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty-five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, includ

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