Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-03-22
THE KANSAS ELECTION CASE.

We are obliged to Hon. John A. Bingham for q
copy Of his speech in favor Of sending for persons
and papers as testimony in the Kansas election
case. 1t is an excellent spcech-right to the
point and with all reasonable men can but dissi-
pate the fallacies which are urged by the Nebraska
men against the investigation. of course they
fear inv cstigOiion and will stife it if possible
What villainy does not seek concoalment'
W. copy Mr.. Bingham's summing up Of the
question:
have now concluded, MIR. Speaker, all that
| desire to say upon the questions arising in
tie cease made by the statement of facts re-
ported by the committee. These questions, l re-
peat, are:
l. Was the Assembly which enacted the cleo
ton statute in the Territory Of Kansas, under
which the sitting Delegate was chosen. the legally
elected Legislative Assembly of Kansas
2. Is this election by statute that body enacted
void
Because it does not prescribe with the requisite
certainty the places of the elections?
Because it extends to Indians the elective fran
chise contrary to the provisions Of the organic
act?
Because that body Legislated temporarily at a
place other than that prescribed by the organic act
for the Temporary seat Of government?
3. Was the sitting Delegate (Mr. Whit6eld)
chosen by the people of the Territory, or by
non-I esident Invaders ?-at what places was that
election held; and by mhom or by what law were
those places prescribed i-were the places prescrib-
ed by she body assuming to be the Legislature, or
by the county commissioners, or by the county
sherifs?
As to the mode Of proof in this case | contend
that the only practicable method is by compelling
the attendance of witnesses here: because by the
admission Of the sitting Delegate there has been
and is lawless violence in the Territory, and, by
the information communicated through the Pres.
idcnt, it seems that the law is silent there amid the
conflicts of passion and brute force. The laws
being of no force within the Territory, it must be
that q commission could not be succes-
fully executed there. To refuse. therefore, to send
for persons and papers, and to transfer this inves-
tigation from the committee Of the House to q
commission to sit in Kansas, would be, in my judg-
ment, a refusal to inquire into the case. The very
attempt to investigate this matter there will beget
new acts of violence. To grant the power asked
to compel the attendance of witnesses can do no
harm, and after a fair trial, If it fail, it will then
be time enough to consider the doubtful expedient
of n commission.
Touching the expense, of which something has
been said, in my opinion there will not be much
difference between The two methods. But that
consideration ought not to have weight in the mat
Ter Ct such significant import. Vigilance, inyesti-
CATION, inquiry, ut whatever cost, is the cheapest
defense of nations; and this investigation, ct any
expense, will be n wise economy, if thereby the
violated law of our commoa country shall DE vim
dicatcd and those guilty Of its inIraction signally
rebuked.
broken nni our regyle conquered. Shall We not