The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1856-06-04
S P E E c
HON. STEPH. A. DOUGLAS,
lta OF ILLINOIS,
Kansas Territorial Affairs.

DELIVERED IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE,
$50 MARCH 90, 1856.
The Senate, as in committee OF the whole,
having taken up for consideration the bill 10
authorize the people of the Territory of Kan.
sas TO lorm constitution and State govern.
ypeHt. preparatory to their admission into the
Union when they have the requisite Popu.
lalion--- 44,
mir. DOUGLAS said:
Mr.. PREsrsENg: 1 will ask the indulgence
of the Seaate for such length Of time as the
spbjeet may require. provided my strength
do not fail me, while | submit some views
an yindication Of the majority report, and in
answer to that Of minority, OF the Commit
Tee on Territories, upon the Kansas ques,
ton. "a. ss.@..,s
In the FIRST place. however. as we have
taken up for consideration the bill reported
blythe Committee on Territories, to author
izeg the people Of that territory to form con-
stitution and State government, preparatory
10 admission into the Union, it is due 20
the subject that should give brief expo
Fitipn OF the provisions and principles Of the
till. .
The 6rst section provides, that whenever
the Territory OF Kansas shall contain s3,
420 inhabitants, to be sscertained by cen.
sus. taken in conformity with law, (that be-
ing the present ratio for member Of Con-
.gIeSs.) =, convention may be called by the
legislature Of the teIritory to form consli-
luton and Stale govern ment, preparatory
to It's admission into the Uuion as State.
The 'econd section provides, that the
convention shall be composed Of twice the
number of delegates which each district in
the proposed Stale has representatives in the
territorial Legislature. Al the election Of
those de legaIes 1t is proposed that all the
White male inhabitants who shall have at.
tanned the age Of twenty one years, and vino
ehaI Lave resided six months in the Terri.
tory and tkree months in the district. may
,ute, provided they possess the 4ualfca-
lions required by the organic act OF The Ter
ai'ory. BY examination Of the precedents,
4 lind that il has been usual to prescribe
the qualification OF The voteis in tie acts of
Congiess authorizing the people of the Ter
iitories TO hold cony, ntions and form con
slitutdons preparatory 10 their admission inio
the Uuion.
The several acts Of Congress preparatory
10 the admission of the following States pre-.
tcibed resi- lence varying from three to
twelve moths as condition OF voting, 10
wit: Illinois, six months; Indiana, twelve
months: Ohio. twelve months; Nj ssissippi,
Twelve months; Missouri, three months;
Louisiana, twelve months; Alabama three
months. Most of the other new States
formed their constitutions under the author.
ity OF Of their territorial legislatures without
the preliminary action Of Congress. In pre-.
pairing this bll | have adopted the medium
according 10 the precedenLs running thro'
our whole territorial history--six months
residence in the Territory and three months
in the district in which the vote may be
given.
The Third and only remaining sectian of
the bill provides for the usual grants of
land 10 be made to the State of Kansas, en-
the same terms upon which they have been
made to most Of the other new States.
If there is anything Objectionable in the
details of the bill, they will be open to
amendment. and sl.al be ready TO accept
sny amendment which my Judgment sp.
proves.
Now, sir, few words in regard to the
speech Of nay colleague Mr. Trumbnll] de
liyered the other day in a,is body. 1t is
well known to the Senate that the senator
from Texas Mr.. Ruskl called the attention
Of my colleague to the fact that was absent
at the fine. and for that reason suggested
the propriety oi postponemeut of the dis.
cussica until | could be present. was alb
sent for the reason that the state of my
health did not render it prudent for me to
be present; and for the fnrther reason that
it had been distinctly understood and unaa.
imously agreed, after a brief discussion, that
all further discussion of the subject should
be postponed for one week, and then TO be
resumed on tte kal now under considera.
sion, when, according to the coprtesies of
the Senate, as well as the rules of parlia-
nenta.y proceedings, would be entitled to
open tbs debate as the author of che report
and bill, and the senator from Vermont,
Mr.. Collamer, as the author Of the minor.
NY report, would be entitled to reply, after
which, the subject would be open for free
discussion by any senator who might desire
10 participate 10 it. Uauder thJse circum
stances, had no right to expect that my
Gollesgue would take advantage of my alb
sence, in violation of the established usages
and conrtesies of the Senate, TO open the
discussion, and 10 make AN assault on me
personally as we'll as upon the report Of
Whi3h was the anthorl
lie commenced his remarks thus:
"Mr, President cannot consent, entertaining
she views which hold, that this report shall go
before the country without expressing my dissent
4 am aware, sir, that il is here accompanied by a
minority report which, in my judgement, presents
this Kansas question in inusterly manner. 1t
utterly reiutes the majority report upon tne great
question al issue; but having been prepared With
out an opportunity examine the majority report
II was impossible that 1t could meet and expose all
jts unlonnded assumptions"
n Iswish the Senate 10 bear in mind that
this is the first discussion which has taken
place IN the Senate between my colleague
and myself, and that 10 the FIRST paragraph
of bis first speech he could not refrain from
q personal assault on myself. Whatever
controversy, therefore, has grown out Of it,
or may result from it. is Of bis own seeking,
unprovoked BY me. He undertakes to tell
the Senate as a reason why be is not willing
the majority report should 70 out 10 the
country in connexion with The minority re.
port, that lhe latter "having been prepared
without an opportunity to examine the ma
jority report, it was impossible that it could
meet aud expose all its unfounded assump.
tious." How does my colleague know thai
the senator from Vermont prepared the mi.
nority report without being allowed an op.
portunity to examine the majority report?
What authoYitv has In far inc insinalior