Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-03-06
From Washington.

From Washington.
The Convention seems to attract 81 much
attention from the members of congress, that
but little has been done the past week.
In the Senate on the 25th, on motion, the
consideration ofthe Presidents special Kansas
message was resumed, Mr.. Jones of Tenn.
said he had listened with pleasure to the dis
cussion whether Mr.. Champion should be re.
called or not, and what measures should be
taken to heal the wounded dignity OF this
country, and he would say that he would rath-
er enter into conflict with England, or any
three of the great powers of Europe, than to
have conflict among ourselves. Such con-
fict might come in consequence of disturbances
in Kansas. Many of the Objectionable Dor
lions of Mr. Wilson's speech had been quail.
flied in print, and the most Objectionable
remarks ofall had been entirely omitted. He
was glad to see this, for it gave him reason to
hope that the Senator from Mass. was not al
together beyond redemption. All the trouble
IN Kansas has grown out of the morbid aud
unpatriotic opposition to what gentleman are
pleased to call the extension of slavery.
Attempts had beed made to prove that these
disturbances were all the result of the repeal
of the Missouri Compromise. lie denied the
truth Of the statement The slavery agitation
would have continued had the compromise
never teen touched. As much as he was op-
posed to the compromise he should be willing
to restore it if gentlemen would cease to agi-
tate the slavery question. No. This was a
war of determination.
Mr.. Jones proceeded to show that the En-.
egrant Aid Societies were established for the
express purpose of FIRST making Kansas free
State, and secondly, making money specu-
lation out of this benevolent enterprise.
Mr.. Jones said, alludiug to Senators whom
he opposed d" the devil takes care of his own,
and this accounts for their prosperity"
GIaughter.)
Mr.. Hale-If it had not been for the Kan
sas bill | should not now be here. I owe my
election to the President, who must be the
only devil who brought me to Congress.
(Renowed aughter.)
Mr.. Jones-If that is true, the Senator is
the most ungratfal wretch that ever lived, as
be continually attacks tho President. Laugh.
ter, and applause in the galeries.)
In the Senate on the 26th the consideration
of the Genital American affairs and relation
with Great Britain were taken up.
Mr. Seward advocated fusion with the
Americans and Republicans while giving his
reasons for his final vote upon the election of
Speaker.
The President sent in communication
from the Secretary of War asking for the
adoption of the recent improvements in war
implements.
On the 9th. Mr.. Grow from the Commit
tee Gu Territories reported bill authorizing
the people Of Oregon to form state Govern
ment.
Mr. Grow reported bill annuling the leg
islative acts of the Assembly of Kansas which
require certain oatbs, including one to support
the fugitive law, to be taken by the public Of
fcers of that territory.
On the 18th message was received from
the President communicating the official
documents 10 relation to our difficulties with
England, after their refence,
Mr.. Hale denied the truth of the state
ment of Mr.. Toucey, that it was impossible
for the President to take another course than
that he had, regarding Kansas affairs, with
out the utter abandonment of his constitu-
tional duty.
Mr.. Hale insisted that the President had
been derelict in his duty, in not protecting the
bona fde settlers of Kansas in the exercise
Of their right. The cnndition Of things there
was such as to justify and demand the Presi-
dents interference. He proceeded to show
by reading quotations from the Kansas-Ne-
braska bill, that it was on the ground that
it was great measure of freedom, and stated
that the President in conversation with Jere
Clements declared similar sentiments.
Whea resistance was made at Boston to the
return of fugitive slave, the President tele-
graphed to the Federal officers to incur any
expense necessary to execute the law but
when white men of Kansas were resisted ia
the exercise Of their constitutional rights, we
were told that the President had no authority
to interfere. Was not the freedom of suffrage
as important as the ownership of slave !
He showed that the Democracy of New Hamp.
shire of l847, 4S and 40 declared them
selves unalterably opposed to the extension
of slavery over territories now free.