The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-02-01
Congressional.

No SPEAKER YEr. The republican men,
bcrs still stand firm to Banks-One or more
votes are taken each day-resulting as here
tofore. The plurality rule has been voted
down by an union Of the democrats and
South Americans several times. On Thurs
day of last week, the President sent mes
sage on Kansas affairs, which was read in
both branches. We give synopsis of it as
follows:
MESSAGE on KANSAS AFFAIRS.
A message was received from the Presi-
dent of the United States, stating that cir
cumstancos have occurred to disturb the
course of Government in Kansas, producing
a condition of things which renders il in
cumbent ON him 10 call the attention o
Congress to il, and he urgently recommends
the adoption Of such measures as the exis-
ency seems TO require.
lie eulogises the Kansas Nebraska Act
says serious difficulties and embarrassment
have attended the settlement of Kansas
attempts to justify his removal Of Governor
Recdcr; endorses Governor Shannon, IN fuh,:
and asserts that the " legislative assembly"
Of that Territory is a lawful body, whose
acts must be obeyed and respected, CD
The President then adds that the i'll feel
ing in Kansas, has now reached such point
that il threatens the peace not only Of Kan
Sas, but Of the Union. Relative to the re
cent convention which formed Free State
Constitution, he says: Ii was party, and
h., b.. 10,
the principles of public law-and the rule
of right and common sense. He declares
any movement in opposition to the legality
of the authority Of the Kansas Legislature,
IS revolutionary M us character and should il
reach the point Of organized resistance, it
will be reasonable instruction, which il
will be the duty of the Federal Government
To suppress.
lie then adds that il is not for tie Prcsi-
dent 10 define the duties of States or Terri
tories, or 10 decide whether law Is wise or
unwise, Just or unjust. II is his duty TO
cause il to be executed. The great popular
prcrogatiyc OF self government must be re
spected. Ii is the Presidents duty to pro-
serve order in the territory and vindicate
| the laws, whether federal or local, and pro-
tect the people in the full enjoyment of
self-goyernment from all encroachmentsiro from
without.
| The President concludes by recommending
the enactment Of a law providing that when
the people desire admission 10 the Union as
State Convention of delegates be held to
! form State Constitution and further that
a special appropriation be made to deiray
any expenses which may become requisite in
I Al n. ~. .s.,fa
Of public order in that Territory.
Mr.. Seward expressed his dissent from the
positions Of the Message, but would iorego
argument now. When the subject comes up
for action he would endeavor to make good
the grounds Of his dissent.
The Message was referred in the Senate 10
the Committee ON Territories.
The above is synopsis Of the Message
given by Telegraph Since it was received,
we have the n. Y. Tribune, which contains
letter from Governor Reeder, which is an
outspoken, manly defence of the Governor
and his constituents against the unjust and
eowardly insinuations of the Message. We
hope to be able to publish the message and
Governor Reeder's letter entire next week.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.
/ HoUSE. Mr.. Dunn offered u resolution,
declaring-
LIST. No man should be elected Speaker,
who does not fully and heartily sympathize
with large majority Of the people of the
country for the restoration Of the Missouri
Compromise, or who will hesitate to exert
himself for the restoration Of that restric-
ton.
ID, The restriction should be restored as
u proper indication u the wisdom, patriot
ism, and plighted honor, of the great states
man who imposed il, as the necessary and
certain means Of reyiying harmony and con-
cord among the States Of the Union.
Sd, Useless and hctious agitation OF the
slavery question in or outof Congrss is I'M
wise and unjust in every section Of the I'm
ion, but until the restriction is restored, is a
solemn duty we owe to the past, present and
future, steadily and firmly to persist in the
efforts 10 that end.
Tho first resolution was rejected by one
majority; Yeas l02, nays l03-the second
carried by one, the third rejected by a ma
jority Of three.
Mr.. Fuller offered resolution declaring
any agitation Of the slavery question, un-
wise and unjust to portion Of the Ameri-
can people, injurious to every section, and
ought not TO be countenanccd. Adopted by
one majority.
: Mr.. Macham offered n resolution, that in
the opinion Of the House, the repeal Of the
Missouri Compromise was an example for
useless and factious agitation Of the slavery
question, and that il was unwisc and unjust
! TO the American people.
Adopted by los against %, and without
taking ballot the House adjourned.
The delegations from this State voted on
Mr.. Meaehnm's resolution, yeas, Wood,
washburn, Perry, Benson, Rnowlton.-
Nays, Fuller.
On the 29;h, 'after discussion of various
resolves, all looking TO union Of the Dem
ocrts and the South Americans, the 10th
vote IVES taken. Banks 90, Orr GO, Fuller
81, scatterings. Necessary to a cho;ce, loo.
30th-no vote for Speaker taken. A plu-
rality resolution offered by Mr.. Clingman,
was rejected by 100 against 10; the Re
publicans together with Eve Democrats, in
Guiding Mr.. Clingman, voting for IT, The
South Americans, imprcticables, and Dem
ocrats, voting against IL.
/ r.. A.. IL ID. ..ll,.op