Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-05-03
MONDAY, APRIL %, 1856.
MICHIGAN FOR KANSAS.

On the Sth inst, Henry Waldron Of Michi-
gan, made his maiden speech in the House Of
Representatives, on the question Of the admis-
sion of Kansas under her Free Constitution.
He is described as man-smaU in person.
ian encouraging circumstance for our friend
Newson) Of retiring manner and Of few words.
His debut was by far the most brilliant and ef-
fective of the session. We have not seen his
speech but Mr.. Greeley gives us synopsis Of
that portion of it relating to the precedent case
of Michigan-which it will slightly trouble the
enemies of Kansas TO get over. Read it:
"In 1856, Michigan had outgrown her
Territorial swaddling clothes and was ripe for
transformation into State. But she had an
unsettled Boundary dispute with Ohio, involv-
inS strip of land on which the city Of Toledo
has since grown up; there had been serious
collisions Of jurisdiction, threatening others still
more serious; and Congress resolved not to ad-
NIT Michigan unless she would consent to quit
claim this disputed territory. On this cond-
ton being made known, a new Constitutional
Convention was held, under the auspices of the
Territorial Government, which Convention de-
cidcd not to accept Admission on the condition
imposed by Congress. So the question SEEM
ed to be at rest.
"But not so: A movement was directly set
on foot by voluntary popular agitation, outside
of and in defiance Of the Territorial au,nori-
ties for another Convention, which was accord
ingly chosen and held, though none but the
friends of the movement recognized it in any
way, and two Of the most populous counties
were not at all represented. This volunteer,
spontaneous Convention resolved to accept ad-
mission on the terms exacted by Congress and
rejected by the regular Convention; and sent
on the requisite documents to Gen. Jackson,
then President. Gen. Jackson sent the pro-
ceedings and decisions of both Conventions to
Congress, without indicating any preference on
his own part. They came first before the
House, where the following proceedings were
had:
"House, Jan. IL, 1S36.-Memorial Of the
Legislature of the State of Michigan present.
ed. Mr.. Hannegan of Ind. moved that it be
rejected Motion defeated: Franklin Pierce
voting in the majority. Mr.. Hannegan then
moved that it be received 'as the voluntary act
of private Individuals This was adopted, but
Franklin Pierce voted in the negative. On the
question as to which of the two Conventions
should be recognized as representing the Peo-
pie Of Michigan, the Democratic House deci-
ded in favor of the irregular or spontaneous
Convention-Franklin Pierce voting in the ma
jority.
"When the question came in due course be-
fore the Senate. (Democratic,) it was referred
to its Judiciary Committee, whereof Felix
Grundy of Tennessee, was Chairman. This
Committee sent out circulars to Michigan, to
ascertain rhirh of these riual Conrenio,as most
truly represented the People of that Slate. and
which had received most of the Peoples votes.
After awaiting and receiving answers TO these
circulars, the Committee reported that the spon-
taneous ConUention aCas entitled TO be accredited
rather than the regular and that Michigan
should be admitted on its motion. This mo-
ton prevailed: Yeas. Silas Wright, Benton, Bu-
chanan, VIM. r. King, sc. Nays only 10.
''The subject thereupon went to the House,
where the action of the Senate was affirmed,
and the admission of the State completed =
Yeas, l4S; Nays, So: Franklin Pierce and
Isaac Toucey among the Yeas.
$50 Michigan came into the Union, on
the application OF volunteer, anti-regular Con-
vention, just like that of Free Kansas, and vo-
ted for Van Buren, for President in 1886.
"-Scvera! Southern Members emphatical-
ly expressed the opinion that this was the strong
est speech for Free Kansas that had been made
at this Session.