Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-01-30
An INTERESTING DAY IN CONGRESS
WASHINGTON. Jan. q, 1856.

nlcation, winch Had Oeen receiHeu from s4iS
President in Executive session, and from
which the Injunction OF secrecy had been re-
moved, transmitting copy Of the letter OF
Lord John Russell to Mr.. Crampton, dated
January 18th, 1858, in which it is declared
that the British Government intends TO adhere
strictly to the treaty of Washington, of the
10th of April, 1850, and not assume any soyer-
eighty, direct or indirect, in Central America.
Mr.. Clayton moved that the letter be trans
ferred from the Executive to the Legislative
Journal and printed.
Mr.. Clayton then expatatcd on the usurpa-
tons of Great Britain, and the tortuous dipIo-
macy Of her Ministry, stigmatising it as mon
strous and disgrsceful.
Mr.. Cass desired to speak, but, not being
we'll, yielded the floor to Mr.. Mason, who
thought that debate now was not exactly pro-
per, either from the condition Of the question
or that of the country, and before definite ac-
tion by the Executive. So far as he had read
the documents, they show purpose on the
part of Great Britain to Disregard the treaty
stipulations of this country. When the ques-
ton shall be presented TO the Senate or to
Congress in i tangible fern by the Executive,
there would be no difference of opinion as to
the incumbent duty of this government
England viii be held to a strict performance
of her treaty obligations.
Mr.. Seward agreed with Mr.. Mason that de-
bate ought not to be INDUCED in until the
ought to be no unnecessary delay in the set
tlemcnt of this controversy with England
Unnecessary delay is indecision, and indec-
sion often loses good cause, while decision
as often wins bad ones.
Mr.. Cass saw no reason why this subject
should not bo fully discussed before the
American people He moved TO postpone the
further consideration of the subject till Mon
day next, which was agreed to.
a message was received from the President
of the United States, in which nc says that
circumstances have occurred to disturb the
course of the Government of Kansas, produ-
cling condition Of things which renders it in
cumbent on him to call the attention of Con-
gress TO it and urgently recommends the adop-
tion of such measures as the exigency seems
to require. He ailudes culogisticaly to the
principles embraced in the Kansas Nebraska
Act, and the system of government and laws
passed to put it into operation. While Ne
braska has been successfully organized, the
organization Of Kansas had been long delayed,
attended by serious difficulties and embarrss-
ments, partly from local mal-administration
and partly from unjustifable interference from
the inhabitants of some Of. the States, with
views foreign to the interests and rights of the
territory. Gov. Recder, instead of constant
vigilance in the exercise OF his duties, allowed
his attention to be diverted from his official
obligations by other objects, himself setting
an example Of violation of law and duty, which
impeled the President to remove him. He
alludes to the misdrcctcd zeal Of the propa-
gandist emigration, and the clashing of the
slavery and anti-slaYery interests as the cause
of the mischief, and as emphatcally condemns
the effort to anticipate or force the determin-
alton of that question in this inchoate state.
The first Legislative assembly, whatever may
have been the informalities in the election of
members, was, for all practical purposes, q
lawful body; and in this connection the Pre-
sident reviews Gov. Reeder's conduct regard
ing the removal of the seat of government. and
his refusal to sign the bill passed by that body
The ill-fseling in that territory has now
reached such point that it threatens tho peace.
not only of Kansas, but of the Union. Rela-
tive to the recent Convention which formed a
Free State Constitution, he says it was by
party, and not the people who thus acted con-
trary to the principles of public law, the prac-
tico under the Constitution of the United
States, and the rule of right and common sense.
The movement IN opposition to the COnstitu-
tional authorities Of Kansas was revolutionary
In its character, and if it shall reach point of
organized resistance, it will be a reasonable
lnsurrection, and it will become the duty of
the Federal Government to suppress it. 1t is
not for the President to define the duties of
the States or the Territories. or to decide
whether law is wise or unwise, Just or unjust.
1t is his duty to cause it to be executed
Inc great popular prerogatiye of selfgovern-
ment must be respected.
The President SAYS it is his duty TO r1reserve
order In the territory, and to vindicatc the
laws, whether federal or local and to r)rotect
the people iRthe full enjoyment Of self
government from all cncroachments from
without, although serious and threatening. The
disturbances announced to him by Governor
shannon, IN December last, were quieted with |
out the eflusion of blood. There is reason
now, however, to apprehend renewed disorders
uerc, unless decided measures be forthwith |
taken to prevent them. He concludes bv saw |
ing that II the inhabitants of Kansas shall de- |
sire a State formation, and be of sufficient |
numbers, the proper course would be q con- |
VentIen OF delegates TO prepare constitution. |
ana recommends the enactment of a law to that |
eHect IN order for its admission into the In |
ION IN a lawful and proper manner. and that a |
special appropriation be made to dcfrav anv |
expenses which may become requisite in the /
of the laws, or in maintaining nub-
lie order in that territory.
Mr. Seward differed from the President; un-
der the present state of our foreign relations
he would forego argument on that matter now
Out when IN the judgment of the majority of
the Senate, the time shall have come for action
on the subject. .he would endeavor to make good
MS opposition to the policy, the position and
ne sentiments which are contained in the |
Presidents message. -
Mr. Mason moved the reference of the mes
'age to the Committee of the Judiciary.
Mr.. clayton thought it better to organize
select committee of thirteen. 20
Mr.. Seward suggested that on the Commit
ee of the Judiciary there were no opponents
'f the administration, while on the Committee
IN Territories there was only one. He
hought 1t would be generous and fair to let III
he minority have hearing, but would not in l.,
ist on the motion for that reference. I
After further debate the Message was refer-f C.
10 Ia nv L