The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-06-19

doctrine of free ships making free goods, and
Mr.. Buchanan's letter to Lord Clarendon on the
same subject.
MIR. Clayton said it would be remembered
that he had carefully abstained during the pres
ent session from uttering one word calculated
to add to the excitement growing out of the
present distressing occurrences in Kansas.
He had endeavored to conciliate all parties,
in order that he might on some suitable occa-
sion present measure of harmony, justice, and
peace. He now rose for the purpose of making
the proposition in the sincerity of an honest
heart, desiring to propitiate no particular party
nor section. He would not present his bill as
partisan of any candidate for the Presidency,
but, like the sailor, desired to ego in a gang by
himself" He was the representative of a little
State, which occupies middle ground between
the Northern and Southern portions of the
Confederacy.
The northern county of that State, with so, 900
inhabitants, scarcely has hundred slaves.
The southern county is as pro-slsvery as Geor-
gia. The middle county is the one which gave
him birth, and is conservative, and fairly div-
ded in opinion. But the whole of that little
State is deeply anxious to preserve the Union,
and prevent a rupture if possible.
He had objection to Kansas coming into the
Union now as a sovereign State One reason
was, that there is not Federal population of
$1,000 persons, exclusive of Indians and others
not taxable. There is a feeling in the North
which, if suffered to continue, will result in &C.
rious injury to the common Union. Hence,
the necessity of something being done to allay
that feeling.
He stated his objection to both Mr.. Douglass
and Mr.. Stewards bills, which propose the ad-
mission of Kansas into the Union; and, refer
ring to the latest accounts from that Territory,
Tod Shon cit hu hon fort hou
been slain there, the excitement is daily in
creasing, and towns are being sacked and
plundered, without endeavoring to avert this
distressing and shameful condition of things
1t is only by justice that peace can be restored.
| Some of the laws in Kansas, Mr.. Clayton said,
are palpably unjust and unconstitutional, which
| it was the duty of Congress to repeal. One of
| them proclaims that no man shall vote until he
swears to support the Fugitive Slave Law. He
repeated that it was unjust and cruel towards
one section of this Union, and was insulting to
any honorable man. 1t was a dangerous and
unexampled precedent, and contrary to the Ne
braska bill, which he proceeded to show.
| Another law of Kansas denies to any man
the right to speak or print against the existence
or legality of Slavery in that Territory, and
Furnishes those thus infracting the statute with
hard labor in the penitentiary for not less than
two years. 1t does not say how many more,
and this shows the disgraceful character of the
| act.
Mr.. Clayton then submitted his bill, supple
mentary to the act to organize the Territories
of Nebraska and Kansas. 1t provides that the
Secretary of State shall cause census to be
taken, making one thousand persons the basis
for one Representative, and two thousand for a
member of the Council of the Territory. Legal
voters must be bona fde residents three months
before the election, and one month resident in
their respective election districts.
After the census and apportionment, the
Governor is to issue his proelslhat direct
ing the election of members of the Legislative
Assembly, to be held not less than fifty nor
more than sixty days after the date of the
proclamation. No law shall remain in force,
violative of the great principle asserted in the
Kansas and Nebraska bill, relative to non-in.
tervention on the Slavery question; or where
by the people shall be prohibited from advo-
eating or denying the extension or propriety of
prohibiting Slavery in the Territory or visited
or threatened with any penalty or punishment;
nor shall any test oath be required, relative to
the Fugitive Slave Act or other law of Congress.
| Trial by Jury as at common law, and no chal-
| lenge or objection to Juror shall avail, which
is not authorized by the rules of the common
law, any statute to the contrary notwithstand-
ing. The bill also provides, that when the Ter
ritory shall contain 80, 420 inhabitants, the peo-
pie shall be authorized to call a convention for
the formation of State Constitution.
The morning hour expired before any further
action upon the subject was had.
Mr.. Adams made speech in support of his
bill proposing to extend the term of naturaliza-
ton to twenty-ene years and to exclude foreign
criminals and paupers; and to prevent these and
European serfs from controlling the elections
and thus perilling our liberties. The South are
more interested on this subject than the North,
which he essayed to prove by reference to Stats
tics. He maintained that this question rises
+ above mere party.
| Mr.. James presented the resolutions of the
Legislature of Rhode Island, condemning the
assault on Mr.. Sumner, which gave rise to de-
bate He said he should defend, here and else
where, if need be, the freedom of debate.
Messrs. Brown and Reid opposed the printing
of the resolutions
The Senate then adjourned till Thursday,