The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-25
Mr. DODGE, Of Iowa suppose il Is not expected tha
IA. he hill lo-nfxhl


we al 10 pass the bill Tonight
Nj DOUGLAS, and several senators. Mono
Mr. DODGE | hope, then, that the question VIII not
be taken on this amendment tonight.
Mr. HUNTER. 1 think We had better take the question
this amendment tonight and have the bi ordered to DC
engrossed before adjourn
Mr.. ArCHISoN. / would suggest the propriety OF an
adjournment. This Is very important amendment
Mr.. ADAMS The senator from Delaware, who moved
this amendment, is not now IN his seat, and therefore
move that the Senate do now adjourn.
MIR. GWlN. believe that the senator from Delaware
MIR ClArroNl and the senator from Michigan Mr. CAss
have paired off on this question.
MIR. ATcHiSoN If SO, lave no objection to going
on.
Mr. ADAMS. / insist on the motion 10 adjourn.
Mr. DOUGLAS | hope il will not be agreed 20,
The motion otogreed to, there being DIVISION
ayes IS, noes pa
MIR PETIT. do not wish to argue the question, but
simply know precisely what To- is coneurrng in
the amendment made in committee of the whole on the
motion of the from Delaware Ii SO, negative
vote will leave the bill as IL was originally, and therefore
shall vote IN the negative. E&'
MIR. WALKER. sincerely feel good deal Of interest
in this portion of the bill In the northwestern part of the
country institutions adapted different state OF
things from that which would prevail in these Territories,
if the amendment be adopted. Such being the policy OF
great portion OF the northwestern country i will strike our
people hat peculiar tat In this bill, for almost the
first time in bill organizing Territory, this distinction
should be made 1t may be that there is proprieiy in
making the distinction against these Territories, but am
very confident that there large class and very meriio
rous class of population, who VIII not understand the
motive of Congress IN seeming thus to dlstancse them
an talking now, not of property, but OF mere political
rights.
MIR. ArCHIsoN. Iwishio say word in relation TO this
matter voted for the amendment proposed by the SEN
stor from Delaware in committee of the whole. The blu
introduced and reported allowed all persons who had
declared their intention to become citizens Of the United
Mr.. PETIT. Does it allow them TO hold office
Mr. ATCHISON. Yes, sir.
Mr.. PETIT. | not Of that
Mr. ATCHISON. Ii gives them all the rights and priv
eges citizens Of the United States in the Territories of
Nebraska and Kansas Now sir in the State Of Missouri
and that of the northwestern States, although is
generally from its institutions, classed as one OF the south
western person exercise the right Of suffrage
or hold office unless he be citizen of the United States
and with due Differences think i good rule to apply TO
all the States and all the Territories of this Union. The
senator from Wisconsin Mr WALKERl rays that this Is
almost exception the general rule Now take issue
with him that point although not prepared at this
conrover the statement; but know that the uni.
form provision IN the territorial bills from the OF
the first Territory of the United States has been to give the
right of suffrage and hold office to none bet free white
male citizens in the Territories and until late years this rule
has always been followed If any Territory has been
organized giving who not citizens OF the UNI
ted States the right of suffrage and the right 10 hold oce
il is exception To the general rule
Ii not that fear the votes of the foreign population
upon the question Of slavery in the Territories OF Nebraska
and Kansas but upon this great PRINCIPLE that none
but American citizenswhetber they be native born or
whether the RICH, of citizenship be conferred upon them by
residence this the country Of their ex-
ercse the right of suffrage and the rgx OF holding ONCE
either in the States or Territories.
Mr. DOUGLAS | wish simply to say, that there IS not
much importance really this matter as the Senate
seem TO egine from fctthat the provision only APP
plies TO the first election. After that, the qualifications OF
voters and of persons hold office to be fixed by the
territorial legislatures Consequently this struggle dwin
dies down the simple matter of the first election:
will state, further that the senator from missouri Is
mistaken the presidents. The Northwest Territory,
under the ordinance of 1884, allowed who had de-
cared their intention become citizens to vote That Is
the provision of this bill reported Under mat ordinance
there the same provision IN ONO, Indiana, innos,
Wisconsin, and Michigan. There the same provision IN
the Oregon BILL and believe in the Washington BILL so
that think there ,olerabe uniformity on the question:
Mr.. ATCHISoN The senator from Illinois has cor
rected me- and cannot doubt that he is right lie has ex-
anined this subject critically have not But SIR II the
Territories have been organized and the rule Of
ou Of then he s s s s sa are xpoS
MIR. DOUGLAS Perhaps WAS mistaken. 1t may be
that foreigners not authorized to hold office in the
Northwest Territory although they were allowed to vote.
On that point may have erred
MIR. ATCHlSON. Very well. We will have no differ
in relation to that matters bat the objection have
that foreigners, who citizens, who may
become citizens, will mould and form the institutions
of these Territories under the provision Of the bull as It
stands unless concur in the amendment The first egs-
nure may decide the question of slavery forever IN these
Territories and decide the right Of the people Of
half OF the States Of this Union 90 there not IL - be-
cause they the right osursge and the right hold
Office in these Territories when their institutions FIRST
formed and first moulded that constitute my chief and prn-
cpa objection lf tho senator would alter and amend his
proposition that in the year 1857 1858 pesons who
declared their intention become citizens may exercise
the right Of suffrage and hold Office VIII waive my objec-
| ton.
The question taken by yeas and nays concurng
in the amendment and the result wasyeaa % nays 30 ms
| follows;
YEAS-Mcssrs. Adams, Atchisou, Badger Bell Benja-
min, Brodhead Brown, Butler, Clay, Dawson, Dixon,
Evans Fitzpatrick Houston, Hunter, Johnson Jones Of
Tennessee Mason, Morton, Pratt Sebastian, and sidel-
| %.
| NhYS-Messrs. Chase, Dodge Of Wisconsin, Dodge Of
Iowa, Douglas Fressenden, Fish, Foot, Hamin, James,
Jones Of iowa Norris Petit Seward Shields, Smith Stuart,
Sumner, Wade, Walker, and WiamB-20
So the amendment eoncufred in.
The PRESIDING OFFICER The question now i on
ordering the bin to be engrossod for a third reading
MIR BELL. During the whole Of this discussion
have refraned from taking any part in IT, have listened
10 the arguments addueed support Of and The objections
urged against the bill am opposed TO the main prin
cple of the bin but have other objections which may
prevent from voting for i and desire the indulgence
Of the Senate 10 hear upon IT, II 1t violates no settled
and decided views Of the majority Of the Senate would
prefer submit my views before the question Of engross
is taken but defer entirely the opinion Of the
majority. shall, however be unable TO proceed to-nlght
Mr.. MASON. would suggest 10 the senator 70 let the
bill be engrossed and he proceed tomorrow.
MIR, BELL, Thst would preclude me from offering any
amendm,n mt which would obviste my objections might
move TO recomm the bill for that purposes however.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. hope the bin viii he engrossed, with
the understanding that the yeas and nays will be taken
lite passage, hnl senator's who absent can vote
upon IL.
Mr.. JOHNSON. 1.-THE senator from Tennessee prefers
TO speak now, tits but courtesy hatwe should hear him
Mr.. BELL would be unable to speak tonight
Mr.. JOHNSON. Then should endeavor TO accommo-
date the honorable senator.
Mr.. BELL have heard every word which has been
said to-day aud have voted upon all the amendments that