The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-04-10
THE KANSAS QUESTION Ep1TOM1zED.
Remarks of Gen. Granger, of New York, in TIL
House of Representatives, March Is, 1856


House of Representatives March Is, 1886.
] rise, sir, to say but a few words The oues
ton is not, sir, whether Gov. Reeder or Gen.
Whitfield shall occupy seat on this floor. but
whether you will or will not grant to the Com.
mittee of Elections power to send for persons
and papers. Sir, what has this committee 10
do? 1t has to investigate and report on a sub
ject OF deep and pervading interest to the whole
of the American people. Millions of our con
stituents are now watching with intense interest
the action Of this committee. Aud shall we,
sir, deny them the aid required, and block the
wheels and cripple the energies Of this commit.
tee on the outset? For the honor of this House
and the welfare OF the country, 1 trust not. But
why this determined opposition? Why this
attempt to shroud this investigation in darkness?
The reasons given seem to be unsatisfactory
contradictory, and baseless. The honorable gen
tleman from Virginia, Mr.. I.etcher.l in main
tanning the other side OF the question, took oc-
casion to say, that if the administration Of this
Government was taken from the party that now
holds it, the Union would be dissolved. Sir.
these threats have been so often repeated, and
from the same quarter, that they have become
stale, insipid, and scarcely deserving d PASSING
notice. Such threats are idle They cease to
disturb. Like the rattle IN the tail Of a tooth
les snake, they are heard without alarm. Dis.
solve this Union, Who dissolve IL? The North
triE not the South dare not; the world in arms
can not. Away with such silly nonsense. The
Hon. member from Maryland Mr.. Davis de.ies
us jurisdiction. There he comes in conflict
with the Constitution. The Constitution is clear
on that point. 1t says expressly that Each
House shall be the Judge Of the election, retusns,
and qualifications, Of it's own members" There
is not legislative body is the world that does
not exercise this power over its own members.
and even to expel a member AZ discretion. The
Hon. gentleman fought calamity, but he fought
d" As one thai beateth the air"
He dealt fearful blows, but his adversary was
beyond his reach. 1t was pity such valor WAS
wasted. Sir, the Hon. member from MARYLAND
was on the wrong side. The Hon. member from
Missouri Mr.. Oliver charges the Massachusetts
Aid Society with malpractice. If the charge is
true, why not investigate? He charges the Kan
sas settlers with having rifles. Is 1t possible
What! Freemen have arms in their hands Who
ever heard these rifles till Kansas was invaded?
Then, sir, you did hear of them. Then thew
came out and spoke for themselves. 1t is charged
that the New England emigrants go to make
Kansas Free State. Ay, sir, a FFss State.
"A lion in the way Sir, the sons of the
Iiigrims go Gs their fathers came, to plant and
rear Free State If that be wrong, it is the
fault Of the family Their fathers did so bef;,re
them. Free Speech, Free Press, Free Schools.
Free Religion, Free Soil, and Free Men. Sir,
they do 90 to make Free State, And. God
be praised, they will do it. Bat Gov. Reeder
is in the way. Gov Reede- mas been assailed-
rudely assailed-On .!,is floor. Gov. Reeder is
the last man 20 be here complained Of The
blame before the country rests elsewhere than
on the head of Gov. Reeder
Haa fho e..
gotten that the invasion of Kansas was from
his own State? And when the honorable gen,
teman says he did not approve Of it, it will be
news to me. Does he not know that if Mis-
souri, approves or palliates, she must share the
shame? But she will not do it. And was
surprised to hear what did hear from one of
her Representatives.. Rut Governor Reeder
Is In the way. lie is the evil genius that
haunts the dreams of the honorable member
from Missouri by night, and disturbs his eaua.
nimity by day. The honorable member saws.
Reeder comes poking along here-"a traitor"
Suppose l were TO say, which surely will not.
that Whitfield comes poking along here. True,
they are both here; and what of itP What
has that to do with the question? Sir Gov.
Reeder comes here by the voice of the people
of Kansas; and they seat him here in accord.
ance with the Higher Law and the Lower Law
the Law OF SelfpreServation and the Law Of
Selfdefence. If he has not a right here, who
has? General Whitfield comes here the fruit
of an eleotion-an election ordered by spu-
rious Legislature-a Legislature forced on AN
unwilling people by band of armed invaders,
with guns and drums, and implements Of
death-who marched into Kansas on election
day, and stormed nearly every poll at once,
elected this Legislature, and returned back to
Missouri in triumph. Sir, let the committee
examine; give them all the help they ask for.
Let US have the truth, and no lodging; the
country demands it. Sir, am really for the
vote, and envy not the man who shall record
his vote in the negative.