Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-08-06

liberty Of the press and theother fundamental pfn'
cples Of American liberty found in the constlta.
scrbes heavy penalties for illegal voting, for ntm-
dation or improper interference with the free right
of suffrage, and permits the bona fde voters thus
protected to elect delegates to convention, who
are to determine whether it be be not expedient
to form State constitution; and if they determine
in the affirmative they are authorised to form such
constitution with or without slavery, as they may
determine, for the purpose of being admitted into
the Union as State. And it is further provided
that the President be clothed with power to employ
the military force, necessary, to secure faithful
execution of the act Can those who favor the
Topeka constitution complain of the provisions of
this bill? They claim that the majority of the peo-
pie are for free State; that is denied. They COM
plain that by fraud and violence they have been
prevented from voting in the Territory; this bill
makes ample provisions to avoid that. They COM
plain of the effect of the Kansas act which allows
few squatters to control the destnes of the State
and yet will they vote against proposition which
proposes to obtain fair expression OF the opinions
of double the number of bona fde Inhabitants that
was there when the Topeka constitution was form
ed, and in addition to that, enables the whole PEG.
pie, and not mere party to form the organic law?
There can be but one objection that can see.-
They must be unwilling to leave the question to the
people of the Territory from fear that majority
will not think as they do on the question Of slavery.
Is it desired by them, and have we come to that
point that the rights of the people are thus to be
condemned? that this country is to be convulsed on
oil occasions with the assumption of congressional
supremacy and the right asserted and enforced that
other slave State is to be admitted in this Union!
DIT is fearfuy true that this is the tendency OF the
action of what is large party at the North
Iconfess it with pain and modification; but STILL as
am hopeful man, will anticipate different con-
clusion from the SOBER rejecting of my nor
thern fellow.citizens Nothing can be expected from
those politicians who blindly rush to the precipice,
and who attempt, from vaulting ambition, to lead
the public sentiment of the North. am proud to
say and feel the highest qualification to know, that
still found at the North who cling to the Constitu-
ton their fathers made-who still willing to &C.
cord to the people of the Territories the highest
privilege of freemen, and who dare to stand in the
breach at the risk of political sacrifice, and manfu
ly contend for the equality of the States, and all the
constitutional rights of the South while at the same
time they firmly and faithfully sustain all the rights
of the North.
1t is also pleasing reflection to me, that while,
almost in body, the ant.Democratic elements at
ed Democracy, now headed by MIR. Buchanan, one
of the patriotic northern men, who knows no North
nor South-that Democracy that take pleasure in
saying have, through storm and sunshine cons'd.
cred the hope of the country now presents tine proud
spectacle of the only national party upon whose sue
cess rests in my humble opinion the safety of the
Constitution, the peace and continuance OF the
Union.
would not be invidous, nor do desire to detract
from the high moral courage exhibited by others,
but must be permitted, in view OF the gross vitu-
peration heaped upon certain distinguished men, to
return my sincere thanks to the President of the
United States Notwithstanding the fierce denunca
tons to-day of the Senator from Ohio,) the honora
BILE Senator from Michigan, Mr. Cass, and the hon.
orable chairman of the Committee on Territories,
mr. Douglas, for their patriotic devotion to the Con-
stitution and the hts of the people, and of the
States on this vital but deeply exciting subject
And now, Mr.. President, few words more in
gard to the bill reported by the committee. Frank
ness and candor require me to say that had consd'
cradle rcpugnance to the formation of new State
with such small population. The honorable Sem
ator from Vermont [Mr. Collamer,] in his minority
report of the 18th March, speaking of the State of
Kansas under the Topeka constitution, says:
"The Constitution fixes no number as necessary
and the importance of settling this question may
we'll justify Congress in admitting this as State at
this ti'ne especially have good reason to be-
lieve that, if admitted as State and controversy
ended, it will Immediately ill up with numerous
and successful population"
If this is a just conclusion of the Senator, under
constitution deficient in every element to COM
mend itself to favorable consideration how much
more efectually may we hope to end the controver.
sy and give repose, by the Just and proper provis-
ions of the bill under consideration
The free-State men, by their action, have express
ed a desire to form State; and l understand the
! political organization to State government.
90 not approve, as an original proposition, the
qualification of voer far to authorize unnat.
| urazed persons to vote. l had doubts as to the
propriety of postponing the election Of members Of
the Territorial Legislature. however felt no diff.
Guilty in assuming the power of Congress prescribe
the qualification of voters a necessary incident
to the exercise of the power to pass law to author
Ze the people of the Territory to form State con-
stituton. In regard to permitting persons who have
merely declared their intention to become citizens
| according to the naturalization laws, I found the
same provision in the organic Kansas act and am
assured there are comparatively few such persons
in the Territory. The bill has been maturcly franz
ed and considered and ought not to expect to have
| every provision $50 diversified our interests and
| opinions) to square exactly with my own peculiar
views.
| have no doubt there are many who will condemn
any effort for the paciicaton of this question but
ought not every reasonable to be satisfied with
this measure? look at it as whole. believe it
to be an honest effort to maintain the Constitution
intact and secure the rights of the people to sup
press, as far practicable, disorder and strife in
Kansas give repose, far as wise counsels and pru.
dent action can do SO to the country deprive poit-
ical agtators of one great weapon to disturb the
quiet of the peaceably disposed and therefore I
may be induced to waive oil minor objections, to
vote against all amendments, and support the bill
cordially, great public duty I owe to myself, to
posterity, to the confdng constituency who gave to
| me my high commission, and to the hopes of the
lovers of free institutions everywhere.
| At subsequent stage of the debate in reply to
the Senator from New York, Mr.. Sewardl
| Mr.. REID said:
| have forborne, Mr. President to say anything
in regard to this important question: because DEEM
ed unnecessary to do but perhaps should not
perform my duty were not to say what honestly
| ILL., = Al