The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-07-02

for the arrest Of Distinguished gentleman OF his own
State law-abidng ctzen for treason. he wished 10
say the people OF Kansas and the people Of the country
that he regarded that whole proceeding as the most arc
cal and absurd the world SO far as he was con
cerned he would uphold the people OF Kansas In all heii
rights and wishing that they should be protected In them
moved this reconsideration with the ayowal that be had
decided preference for the settlement Of this question on
the basis proposed in the Senate yesterday lie desired
express his dissent from the pursued by the officials
OF Kansas in respect 10 these indictments.
Mr. HOUSTON, of Alabama very much regretted thai
when a question upon which much agitation and excite
existed had been settled that there could be found
one who hung the skirts Of party in such contest
who could be reached by either persuasons other
influences and whose Judgment formed after every OPP
portunity had been given him OF understanding the
subject bad changed that judgment since the vote Of
Yesterday lie did not intend to impeach the integrity OF
The gentleman he only expressed his regret that the gen
eman mind not made up previous TO the bna vote
on Yesterday that the struggle which had been going
both in the House and the country could then have been
/ definitely settled
He desired show the gentleman that the which
he asked the House 10 pursue would not accomplish
what he desired The gentleman sad that he opposed
TO the constitution adopted by the Topeka convention
der which the bill rejected yesterday proposed TO admit
Kansas State and in favor OF the proposition submit
ted by the gentleman from Georgia Mr. STEPHENS, on
which vote had been taken yesterday in connection
with motion to commit TO the Committee Of the Whole,
and which was not agreed to. He submitted 10 the
gentleman then, that by insisting the course be
had taken he would defeat the very proposition for
which he expressed regard and open the way 10 an
adoption of the Topeka constitution which had been made
in direct conflict with the organic law of the Territory He
desired the gentleman to tell him. this should be tho case
what opportunity he would have adopt the amendment
of the gentleman from Georgia. for which he desired
II he really desired that the substitute of the gem
ean from Georgia should be adopted believing that the
two houses OF Congress and the country could meet to-
geher upon that proposition he appealed to him by every
consideration that ought TO influence atesman and
patriot 70 Withdraw bis motion 70 reconsider and allow
this exciting question which had been closed yesterday to
closed forever. The he pursuing was
precisely that which would reopen agitation, and which
would lie followed by all the ischieyous consequences
which naturally result of this kind
Mr.. BARCLAY in reply, stated that he had always been
governed in the votes which he had heretofore given in the
House by of the duty which he owed his constituents
No influences outside of conscientious conviction of duty
had been brought upon him influence him m making
this motion He made the motion honestly in order that
his voice might be recorded against accedng the action
of the thores Of Kansas and asked the House whether
If the bill allowed 10 stand it didreectedit
not declaration the part of the House that every
indictment for high found in that Territory
legal, proper and right?
Mr. COBB of Georgia. Clearly not
II Mr.. BARCLAY. Virtually it will and it is that
count that submit the motion.
Mr. ORR of South Carolina desired to inquire of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania what he expected to accom-
pish by reconsideration III he understood him properly
the gentleman voted for reconsideration not with view
of passing the bill, but simply with view of getting
expression of opinion from the House to certain ndct
I ments in Kansas Territory
Mr.. BARCLAY moved, and would vote for reconsd-
Grafton Of the BILL in order that he might have oppor
tunity If the reconsideration granted, in the
House for its passage for the express purpose of recording
his sentiments of the representatives from the State
OF Pennsylvania, against outrages IN Kansas.
Mr.. ORR asked the gentleman then why he did yes
terday vote in favor OF the passage Of the bi when it
under consideration if be desired express such opinions
lie had voted against the bill yesterday, and why did he
now desire 10 vote favor of it2
\ Mr.. BARCLAY would frankly that he vastly
preferred the bill offered by the gentleman from Georgia.
but he did not vote for it yesterday because that bill
encountered by proposition Of the gentleman from In
diana Mr. DusS to restore he Missouri Compromise
sds Of he House Bs ss va as e. Of &
show bis dsapprobaton Of that and that so far as he was
concerned bis should always be cast 10 give every
citizen of the Territory Of Kansas whether eea,e or
pro-savery just exactly what they ought to haveher
rights
Mr. ORR did perceive himself how the proposition Of
the gentleman from Georgia should be connected in the
mind OF the gentleman from Pennsylvania with The bin in
its present FORM and why the rejection Of that proposition
should influence any vote be might give because the
amendment Of the gentleman from Georgia voted upon
aud rejected and passed out Of view and If the gentleman
desired to give expression his opinion when atpropos
ton was Ignored before the third reading Of the b
desired to know why he did vote in favor Of its third read
ing and final passa e.
Mr. BARCLAY wished gentlemen distinctly to under
stand that be held himself responsible to nah in the
House for his political action. He would do what he
believed 10 be right here elsewhere and he would
DO 1t in his own way and his manner; but the
same time, he willing to take the advice of his
friends lie made this motion, not from sense Of his
responsibility TO gentlemen from other sections Of the
country, but 10 his constituents, lie did desire
reopen any agitation this question but when United
States warrants sent from Kansas here to arrest
peaceabie citizens for treason and members the
moor OF the House and maintained that these absurd
rants had any foundation in law he wished express his
disapprobaon and, far his vote went say the
people Of Kansas that he believed the Topeka constitution
was constitutional and proper and that they had an u
aenabe right to meet and form constitution as they
had done lie believed that the people of every Territory
had right to form and establish their institutions
and that all admissions OF the power Of the House in the
Territories only tended TO add new links TO the great
chain Of Capitalization, and he opposed H. here
anywhere else.
Mr. HOUSTON astonished that the gentleman from
pennsylvania after participating in all the discussions that
had arisen the Kansas difficulties and after reading all
the journals with their different statements Of the affair
and deliberately forming his Judgment and voting against
the bill admitting Kansas under the Topeka constitution
should have in one short night entirely changed opn
ion.
Mr. BARCLAY had said that he did not approve
OF that bill and Its principles but simply that he preferred
the bill Of the gentleman from Georgia. E
Mr. HOUSTON said that the gentleman disapproved of
10 The strongest language which could use when
he came up and under his oath support the constitution
aud discharge bis duty faithfully voted against IT, This
question bad been before the public for months had
before the House for weeks IL had been discussed by al
most every single newspaper the whole broad land and
every private and public circle and until yesterday eve
ming between three and four O'clock the gentlemans nda
ment had been against the bill and he then voted with
the majorty against IL but this morning 10 and behold
the gentleman having consulted with no one had entirely
changed his opinions and desired reopen the whole
question lie regretted that The gentleman had not made
up his mind sooner that all the strife and agitation
j, which would now follow and which would tend to mar
the harmony Of the action Of the government weaken
this glorious Union, might have been prevented
Mr. DUNN OF Indiana wished 10 correct an error Of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania who had charged that he
Influenced by In anenA-