Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-04-17


Topeka Convention were not only unauthor.
lied by Congress, but were revolutionary
and rebellious He could not recognize
Kansas as State, either in or out of the
Union, in consequence of anything they
had done without the authority of the law
Hale said, under the rule of the Senate,
the memorial could not be printed, and as
unanimous consent was required to suspend
the rules he should demand they should be
adhered to-
The Chair decided that the motion must
go to the committee on Printing.
Butler unwilling to take that course.
Cass explained, that in presenting the
memorial he had by no means endorsed
its statements. H. had always made it a
principle to present every petition he had
been asked to present.
1t was not for him to investigate the
justice or injustice of the allegation in the
memorial, that being the duty of the COM
mittee on Territories, to which it was re-
ferred.
Bayard thought the men who were in d.
rect antagonism to the laws of the land, had
no right to be heard by petition.
Mason submitted a resolution resi"ning
the reference Of the memorial to the COM
mittee on Territories.
Trumbull and Bayard entered into gen
eral discussion Of Kansas affairs.
Mr.. Pugh, after carefully examining the
document, said he believed it was not the
original paper. The signatures are all in the
same hand wiring and there are many era.
surcs and interlinements
Mr.. Crittonden said he should vote
against the resolution, with a view to sup
press all designs to disturb the honor of
this country and peace of lis citizens.
The discussion did no good. He want
ed to know if the publication in the New
York papers was Identical with the docu-
ment presented hclc with its erasures and
interlnements.
Mr.. Seward could not tell, not having
compared the two. He thought such. crit
icisms were unworthy the great question
involved, and would more become a cSoss-
examination of witnesses in court.
Clit'enden was p;oud Of being a lawyer e
would rather be lawyer than professed
POLITICAL.
Mr.. Seward disclaimed any imputation
on the legal profession. 1t was the crit
icism on the chirography, to which he adj
vertcd.
Mr.. Benjamin believed the document an
impudent forgery. The men whose names
are appended to it are now fugitivcs from
justice. and why should further notice be
taken of this insolcnt memorial. He warm
condemned Prof: Siliman as sacreligious-
ly desecrating the House of God by incen-
diary appeals to the people of Connecticut
for money and arms to carry OH the war
against the Government. 1t is Il desire for
power more than desire for freedom which
instigates these lawlcss and revolutionary
proceedings. The game is not worth the
candle. Let the obscure paper sleep where
il is
Mr.. Rusk spoke of the sacred scoundrels
who disgraccd the pulpit in connection
with Kansas affairs. He did not believe
the memorial had eyer been in Kansas, but
that it was forgery and re-hash of much
of what had heretofore been said on that
subject.
Mr. Stewart understood that Mr.. Cass
would make a statement in regard to the
commences Of this paper, and that the
latter was not himself satisfied on the sub
jet.
Mr.. Butler believed that Mr.. Cass pre-
scented the memorial from motives honora-
bic to his heart. believing in the right of
petition, but when voices cried out print
it, print it, in violation of the rules, he had
different opinions, for the memorial was
branded as fraud and a forgery. He be-
lieved if Christ should come to the earth
with all the purify of his principles, he
would be banished from the Corfcdcracv
by those fanatics, as Christ drove fl ON the
Temple the money changers and sellers of
doves, yet the money changers come here
and claimed to have the purity of doves.
Laughter.
Cass said, within few minutes he had
had an interview with the person who had
handed him the memorial to present. 1t
was only to remark that he was not sa.isfi-
ed the paper was one which ought TO be
acted OH by the Senate.
Hale said if he were satisfied the paper
was not genuine he would be the last to
take any advantage. He thought that Mr..
Ben amin hao done infinite INJUSTICE to that
honorable and good man, Prof Siliman.
II was not his intention, as charged, to
make war on the general government, but
they were driven to the law of self de-
tense. Tee federal promises bad proved
q lie.
Seward replied to several Senators who
had essayed to involve him in the alleged
fraud, regarding the memorial, he had seen
the gentleman who handed the paper to
Mr.. Cass for presentation. Col Lane who
authorized him to say that before he lief.
Kansas, he saw paper, he did not say it
was the identical paper in chirography. but
he saw a memorial of which this is the
substance and text, signed by all the pro-
visional members Of the Kansas Legisla-
ture, and this is true copy. know the
Senator from Texas, Mr.. Rusk, to be a
brave and honorable man, and lover of
freedom, but when it becomes necessary
for me to resort to an exhibition of courage,
it will be time for him to taunt me with a
want of it,
Mr. Mason said no ono stood nm tn vim