The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-10
THlRTY-f0URTH CONGRESS-,
First Session.
Tuesday. July /, 1856.
SENATE


Mr.. Cass said that very grave transactions
had occurred on the Pacific coast, according
20 the accounts just received, into which an
examination ought to be made. Governor Ste
vens, Of Washington Territory, has proclaimed
martial law there, and arrested the Judge of
the District Court, and sent him away some
distance, and closed the Court. He did not
desire TO prejudice the case, but this certainly
seemed a great assumption of power. He sub
mitted q resolution, calling upon the President
for the facts in relation to the matter. The
resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Colamer submitted a minority report,
from the Committee on Territories, on the Kan
sas question; which was read, and ordered to
be printed.
The bill reported BY Mr.. Douglas, to author
ize The Territory of Kansas to form a State
Constitution, was then taken up.
Mr.. Thompson. Of Kentucky, said he was, TO
some extent, in favor of the measure reported
Yesterday, by the Committee on Territories, but
would prefer to have the Government take strict
measures with the Territories, and treat them
as a father did his bad boys, who used to give
them hogging every morning, because he knew
they would do something wrong before night
10 deserve il. Laughter. He thought it ride
uious that young Territory, only two years
old, should set itself up against the lawful au-
enforced strictly, and would send enough mill
tary force to Ksnsss to do it. He descanted
on Mr.. Fremonts qualifications for the Presi-
dency, alluded to the state of political parties
generally, and dissected the various platforms.
He was no, satisfied with either the Republican
or Democratic platform, though he deemed the
Philsdelphia platform an able, sensible, and
patriotic one. But still, above all other plat
forms. he preferred the Wing platform of 1852,
and under the good old Wing banner would
live and die. He hoped all good Wings woaId
follow his example, and not stray away after
false gods.
Mr. Bgler advocated the bill reported yes
terdsy by the Committee on Territories, as be-
ing the best remedy for the existing troubles
IN Kansas.
Mr. Hale liked the bill very we'll. He thought
it wa. a much farer proposition than could
have been expected, considering the source
whence it emanated; bpt the difficulty was
likely to be, that the Administration in carry.
ing il out, would not do SO in fair and impair
tial manner. He pointed out other objections
to the bill.
Mr.. Adams moved to amend the bill by stri-
king out thai part which gives the right of suf-
frage 10 all persons who shall have filed their
declaration OF intention to become citizens of
the United States.
Mr.. Crittenden hoped the amendment would
be adopted. He thought those foreigners who
had declared their intention to become citizens
had no more right to vote than those who had
made no such declaration.
Without concluding the subject, the Senate
adjourned.
Mr.. Barclay moved reconsideration of the
vote BY which the House rejected the bill for
the admission of Kansas into the Union He
expressed his belief that the people of any Ter
ritory have the legal and constitutional right
90 meet and form State Constitution, without
the authority of any body in the world, and that
the formation of Territorial Government was
an assumption unwsrranted by the Constitution
of the United States. He had been informed
that warrants were in the hands of the Marshal
OF this District for the arrest Of distinguished
gentleman from Pennsylvania, for treason. He
regarded this as the most farccal and absurd
proceeding the world ever saw, and dissented
from the course pursued by the officials OF
Kansas relative TO sll similar indictments. AL.
though he had preferred the bill of Mr.. Ste
phens. he would now vote for the bill rejected
yesterday, in order to give the people of Kan
sas that protection 10 which they are entitled
'n the enjoyment of their rights.
Mr.. Houston said it was very much to be
regretted, that, after questions creating great
excitement had been disposed of, there could
always be found some gentlemen hanging on
the skirts of n party, who could be reached by
Influences not known to other members.
Mr.. Barclay. Will the gentleman from Ala
bama be kind enough to repeat that remark
Mr. Houston replied that his health would
not permit it. He did not intend to impeach
the integriy of the gentleman from Pennsyl-
wanna, but only intended TO express his regret
that the gentleman's mind was not made ND
previous 10 the final vote, by which the conse-
quent excitement should have been uuieted
He did not know how Mr. Barclay could vote
Cor bill which recognises the Topeka Consti-
tation, which was not only framed Ia the absence
of Law, but in conflict with law. He appealed
TO Mr.. Barclay to close up this excitement aud
TO hush it altogether, instead of, by insisting on
his motion to reconsider, extending the infu-
enee for evil.
Mr. Barclay replied, that he voted for the
appointment of the Kansas investigation, be,
cause he wished to know whether the reports
of outrages in that Territory were true. or not.
De would inform the gentleman from Alabama,
that he was not to be intimidated, and no infu-
ence outside of his conscientious conviction of
duty could be brought to bear upon him. He
made the motion honestly.
DIR. Orr inquired of MIR. Barclay what he ex-
pected to accomplish by moving q reconsidera-
lion OF the vote by which the bill was rejected?
Mr.. Barclay replied, with view of voting
for It's passage, and recording his sentiments,
as Representative of Pennsylvania, against
these ootrages
mr. orr asked, if this is the gentlemaa's OBJ
JeI,; WY dld be cot yesterday vote for the bill
MI. barclay repes.ed that he preferred Mr..
stephens oiii; but that, for political purposes,
was sHcunpered with the proposition to restore
.i. .bu n restnetion, and thus was obiee.
to answer in the House for his noI;,;os oa.:O
He did as be thought be had q light to do ''