Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-01-30
Az INTERESTING DAY IN CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, Jan. a4, 1856.

y
tnication, which had been received from the
President in Executive session, and from
which the injunction of secrecy had been re-
| moved, transmitting copy of the letter of
Lord John Russell to Mr.. Champion, dated
January 19th 1853, in which it is declared
| that the British Government intends TO adhere
strictly to the treaty of Washington, of the
10th of April, 1885, and not assume any sover-
eighty, direct or indirect, in Central America.
Mr.. Clayton moved that the letter be trans
ferred from the Executive to the Legislative
Journal and printed.
NJ. Clayton then expatiated on the usurpa-
tions of Great Britain, and the tortuous diplo-
macy of her Ministry, stigmatising it as mon
strous and disgraceful.
Mr.. Cass desired to speak, but, not being
we'll, yielded the floor to Mr.. Mason, who
thought that debate now not exactly pro-
per, either from the condition of the question
or that of the country, and before definite ac-
tion by the Executive. So far as he had read
the documents, they show a purpose ON the
part of Great Britain to disregard the treaty
stipulations of this country. When the aucs-
tion shall be presented to the Senate or TO
Congress in tangible form by the Executive,
there would be no difference of opinion as to
the incumbent duty of this government
England will be held to strict performance
of her treaty obligations.
Mr.. Seward agreed with Mr.. Mason that de-
bate ought not to be INDUCED in until the
House is organized still he thought there
ought to be no unnecessary delay in the set
Element Of this controversy with England
Unnecessary delay is indeeision, and indeci-
sion often loses good cause, while decision
as often wins bad ones.
Mr.. Cass saw no reason why this subject
should not be fully discussed before the
American people. lie moved to postpone the
further consideration of the subject till Mon
day next, which was agreed TO.
of the United States, in which he says that
circumstances have occurred to disturb the
course of The Government OF Kansas, produ-
cling a condition Of things which renders it in
cumbent on him to call the attention of Con-
gress to it and urgently recommends the adop-
tion of such measures as the exigency seems
to require. He aludes eulogistically to the
principles embraced in the Kansas Nebraska
Act, and the system of government and laws
passed to put it into operation. While Ne
braska has been successfully orga-iized, the
organization of Kansas had been long delayed,
attended by serious difficulties and embarrss
meuts, partly from local mal-administration
and partly from unjGstifiabla interference from
the Inhabitants of some Of the States, with
views foreign to the interests and rights of the
territory. Gov. Reeder, instead of constant
vigilance in the exercise of his duties, allowed
his attention to be diverted from his official
obligations by other objects, himself setting
an example of violation of law and duty, which
impelIed the President to remove him. lie
alludos to the misdirected zeal of the propa-
gandist emigration, and the clashing of the
slavery and anti-slayery interests as the cause
of the mischief, and as emphatically condemns
the effort to anticipate or force the deternlin-
alton of that question in this inchoatc state.
The first Legislative assembly, whatever may
have been the informalities in the election of
members, was, for all practical purposes, q
lawful body; and in this connection the Pre-
sident reviews Gov. Reeder's conduct regard
ing the removal of the seat of government, and
his refusal to sign the bill passed by that body.
The ill-feeling in that territory has now
reached such point that it threatens the peace,
not only of Kansas, but of the Union. Rela-
tive to the recent Convention which formed
Free State Constitution, he says it was by a
party, and not the people who thus acted con-
trary to the principles OF public law, the prac-
tice under the Constitution of the United
States, and the rule of right and common sense.
The movement in opposition TO the Constitu-
tional authorities of Kansas, was revolutionary
in its character, and if it shall reach point of
organized resistance, it will be q REASONABLE
and it Will become the duty Of
the Federal Government to suppress il. 1t is
not for the President to define the duties of
the States or the Territories, or to decide |
law is wise or unwise, just or unjust. |
1t is his duty to cause it to be executed
ment must be respected.
The President says, it is his duty to preserve !
order in the territory, and to yindicate the |
laws, whether federal or local, and to protect |
the people in the full enjoyment of self |
government from all encroachments from |
without, although serious and threatening. The
announced to him by Governor
Shannon in December last, were quieted with |
ont the effusion of blood. There is reason
now, however, to apprehend renewed disorders |
there unless decided measures be forthwith |
taken to prevent them. He concludes by say |
ing that if the inhabitants of Kansas shall de- |
sire State formation, and be of sufficient /
numbers, the proper course would be Il con- |
yentien of delegates to prepare a constitution, |
and recommends the enactment of a law to that |
effect in order for its admission into the Un- I
ion in a lawful and proper manner. and that n |
special appropriation be made to defray any |
expenses which may become requisite in the |
execution of the laws, or in maintaining pub
lie order in that territory.
Mr.. Seward differed from the President; un-
Ter the present state of our foreign relations
he would fofego argument on that matter now,
but when in the judgment of the majority of
,he Senate, the time shall have como for action |
On the subject, ,he would endeayor to make good |
MS opposition to the policy, the position and |
he sentiments which are contained in the
Presidents message.
Mr.. Mason moved the reference of the mes
sage to the Committee of the Judiciary.
Mr. Clayton thought it better to organize a
select committee of thirteen.
Mr.. Seward suggested that on the Commit
zee of the Judiciary there were no opponents
IF the administration, while on the Committee
IN Territories there was only one. He
hought it would be generous and fair to let
he minority have hearing, but would not in
list on the motion for that reference.
After further debate the Message was refer
ed to the Committee on Territories, and the
Senate adjourned until Monday.
HoUsE.-The proceedings were opened with