The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-04-17
KANSAS IN THE SENATE.

Mr.. Stewards speech on the 9th, in the Sen
the Administration Party very sensibly.
Thursday, the memorial of Kansas for ad-
mission as State, presented by Gen. Cass, gave
an occasion to its leading men to vent their
spleen, and this they did in the most approved
style of pro-slavery chivalry. The memorial,
on account of some erasures and interlinea-
tons, presented an accessible point of attack,
and charges of forgery, and all sorts of villany,
were hurled against Colonel Lane and his back
ers. Finally, General Cass broke his sword,
retired from the contest and withdrew the
memorial.
The subject again came up last Monday.
We present an abstract of proceedings from
the Latelligencer:
ain the Senate, Mr.. Harlan, of Iowa, present
ed an affidavit and petition from Col. James H..
Lane, of Kansas, explaining and certifying that
the memorial lately rejected by the Senate, and
purporting to come from members of State
Legislature in that Territory, was not spurious
document, but had been copied from an original
memorial, after undergoing revision which had
been authorized by the original signers.
"Messrs. Douglas, Butler, Pugh, Jones of
Tennessee, Stuart, and Toucey, argued against
the reception of Colonel Lanes petition, and
contended that to receive it involved also the
reception of the memorial recently rejected by
the Senate, which was pronounced spurious
and fraudulent paper, whose authenticity had
not been INDICATED by Colonel Lanes expla-
nation and affidavit.
"Messrs. Harlan, Wade, Hale, and Wilson, ar
gued on the other hand, that to receive Colonel
Lanes petition was a mere act Of justice due
to that gentleman; and, since hi prayer mere
ly asked the Senate to receive he memorial
lately rejected, and assigned the grounds on
which he thought that paper shouk be treated
as an authentic document, il was fur her argued
that its reception did not necessitat, the recep-
ton Of the rejected memorial, but III Il would
be competent for the Senate to deci le, after .
report rpon Colonel Lanes petitioi by the
Committee on Territories, to whom il might be
referred, whether or not the memor' al already
rejected Was such document as Should be re-
ceived bv .se Senate.
ihe senate Vas occupied with this question
Until nearly six O'Clock in the evening, the dis
csssion, toward the close, assuming q political
character. The motion TO receive the petition
OF Colonel Lane ..> hnally laid upon the tn.
BILE yeas 30. -~ys H.
The explanations Of Colonel Lane show con.
clusively enough that the documents are all
genuine, bat the contest resolved itself into
party struggle, and by a strict party vote the
subject was laid on the table--the anti Kansas
men voting yea, and the Kansas men nay.
The fact shows the desperate purpose of the
Pro-Slavery party to fight every inch of the
ground, and nothing more.
Bas" Among the passengers to sail on next
Wednesday in the steamer Asia will be Mr..
George Sibbern, the late Swedish Minister Res
ident near our Government and his amiable
wife, Mrs. Sibbern, having been recalled by his
King to hold responsible and honorable Office
in the household of the Crown Prince of Swe-
den. who has recently assumed the Vice Royal
ty of Norway. While rejoicing at the distin.
fidence implied in this appointment, we cannot
refrain from expressing our sincere regret at
the departure from our country of this estimable
gentleman and lady, whose charms of manner,
high intelligence, and warm-hearted hospitali-
ty, have secured them large circle of warm
friends in our community and we are sure of
expressing the general feeling in wishing them
all happiness and "God speed"
National Lnteuigencer.
1t is not always that the praise of the Intelli-
gencer is so well bestowed. OF all the foreign
ministers resident here, Mr.. Sibbern appreci.
ated most thoroughly American institutions,
and felt deepest interest in American progress.
Ever true to the interests Of his own country,
he had too large and generous heart to be
Indifferent to the welfare and honor of the
country in which he resided 60 long, and his
sympathies were always on the side of Justice
and Freedom. Were all nations represented
abroad by men of such rectitude, honor, and
elevated sentiment, how rare would be their
Misunderstanding, how easily settled their
controversies.