The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-03

the gentleman's substitute is a side measure,
intended to destroy the bill, shall object to it
now and at all times.
Mr. Stephens would inform the gentleman
that he had no side blow TO aim at the bill. He
merely wished his proposition to come before
the House as a substitute for the bill but, as
the gentleman from Maine would not permit
him to do this, he would move to amend the
motion to commit by adding thereto instructions
to report his amendment In lieu of the original
bill.
AS general principle, he was opposed to the
admission of State into the Union, unless con-
tanning a population equal to the ratio of one
Representative but in the present instance he
was willing to waive this and other objections
When he voted for the Kansas act he did not
do so TO make that Territory slave State. He
said then, and repeated now, that the people
might decide that question for themselves and
this was the very object of his amendment.
Although the election law of the Territory was
one of the very best that had ever come under
his observation, yet his amendment went even
beyond that, and made the most stringent pro-
visions on the subject. The bill proposed by the
Committee on Territories, upon its very face,
protested to have been formed against law and
order, and in open rebellion, and the officers of
the Convention that framed it were under arrest
for treason. If nothing but fair play was what
the country wanted, gentlemen should come up
to a man and support his amendment. He was,
however, inclined to believe that the real object
of this movement was not so much to bring Kan
sas in as free State as to kindle the fires of
civil war in the country.
In conclusion, Mr.: S. proceeded to defend
the institution of Slavery; but, before conclu-
ding his remarks, his hour expired.
There we're loud cries of ego Oh" ego on )"
but unanimous consent being required,
MIR. Giddings, of Ohio, objected to what he
considered an unusual proceeding.
Mr. Campbell, of Ohio, replied to Mr. Ste-
phens, contending that the success of the motion
to commit would amount to the defeat of the
bill. He entered into an argument to prove
that Congress has the power to exclude Slavery
from the Territories of the Union, in the course
of which running debate of some length en-
sued between him and Mr.. Stephens
Mr.. Evans, of Texas, was in favor of admit
| ting Kansas at once, without regard to the num-
Der of inhabitants, provided fair election could
be had. If the existing Government of Kansas
had been established by force or fraud he held
that it ought to be abrogated. He contended
that the Constitution formed at Topeka should
not be received by Congress, as it was the work
OF only part of the people of the Territory by
| revolutionary movement.
AAA. AhOiiiiij VI NSIuOLI drBueU III IdVOr OF
the admission of Kansas in accordance with the
provisions of the bill before the House. and de-
clared that the present Administration should
be held responsible for the present Slavery agi-
tation.
MIR. Dunn, of Indiana, wishing to strike down
that which, in his judgment, had created the
| disturbances of which so much was said, and
desiring to restore matters to the position they
| occupied before the passage of the Kansas N e.
braska act, moved to amend the motion of Mr.
| Stephens, of Georgia, by instructing the Com.
| mittee Of the Whole to report the substitute OF
| that gentleman, with the following additional
section: Providing for the restoration of the
Missouri Compromise.
Mr.. Grow, of Pennsylvania, then demanded
the previous question, which he hoped would
be sustained, and that then the House would
| adjourn until Monday.
Mr.. Walker, of Alabama, moved that the
House adjourn; which motion was disagreed
to-yeas II, nays lis.
Mr.. W. then moved that the bill be laid on
the table pending which,
Mr.. Crawford, of Georgia, moved that the
House adj ourn; which motion did not prevail.
The motion to lay On the table was then neg
stived-yeas 20, nays l0l.
Mr.. Boyce, of South Carolina, moved an ad-
| journment; which was decided in the negative.
| The previous question was then seconded, and
the main question ordered.
And thereupon, at halfpast four o'clock, the
House adjourned.