The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-12
DISTURBANCES IN KANSAS.

Whereas dangerous popular disturbances with insurrec
ton and obstruction 70 the due execution OF the laws un-
happily prevail in the Territory OF Kansas and
Whereas IL is of great importance that the military forces
which may be employed for the suppression OF these inur
rectonay disturbances and for of law peace
and protection TO the good people Of the Territory should
be conducted with the greatest discretion and Judgment and
should be under the command Of officer whose rank and
reputation would render his services the useful and
beneficial to his country In the present crisisa crisis
Be therefore resolpcd by e Senate Of he United States
That the President be- and he hereby requested employ
the military services Of Lieut. Gen. Scott the paoifcaon
of Kansas and in the immediate direction and command Of
all the forces employed or TO be employed for the purpose
under such Instructions and with such authority power
the President can and may think proper to give and to
confer upon him.
Mr. YULEE said that he should vote against the motion
to consider the subject as it was of an important
character and the s1nate very thin.
Mr.. CLAYTON thought that it was important If any
thing was TO be done in relation to the matter that 1t
should be done at once. He hoped the Senate would
adopt the proposition the effect of sending Gen Scott
to Kansas would be to calm the public mind which at
this moment in state of great excitement in reference to
the subject If had other effect AS to the thnness Of
the Senate he of opinion that it improbable that
the body would be full until the conventions which
now about taking place should have adjourned. He
thought IL better not to wait until that time.
Mr.. BROWN expressed the opinion that matter Of
much importance ought to be decided by the voice of the
whole Senate He did not believe that the difficulties IN
Kansas were so great had been reported and
far he concerned he not willing that the Sen
ate should any part OF the executive functions The
President of the United States with the advice of his cab
lnet charge there ne Wiling
to leave it, The President knew and appreciated the great
talents and vast military experience OF General Scott and
if he thought him the most proper man TO take charge OF
Kansas affairs doubtless he would have sent him there
before this time But he opposed TO mixing up the
responsibilities of the different branches Of the government
he did the legislative branch to the d
recton Of executive affairs the executive branch to
medde with legislative duties for when difficulties oc-
Cured he wanted TO know who responsible for them
Mr. BELL of Tennessee alluded to the reports of blood
shed and murder which were every day received from
Kan and a
reference to the matter 1t stain upon the character
and competency of the government II did not maintain
the peace and order of the country and it was proper for
the Senate to do all in its power for the restoration OF tran
quillity,
Mr. BROWN did not place much confidence in the tele-
graphic reports which were daily published in the papers
To limited extent they might be worthy of credit but
of that sort of material manufactured for
the occasion 1t had been heretofore, aud was
likely to be To pass the resolution would be
regarded by the country expression OF opinion by
the Senate that the President had not performed his duty
he should have done and he could endorse no such
censure.
Mr. ToUCEY knew of no power in the Senate to act in
the proposed by the resolution than would
be possessed by equal number of private citizens as
sembed in any portion OF the country But the recon-
mendation should be made the President and If in
formiy with it. Gen. Scott should be sent 10 Kansas what
could be do there We live in government Of law and
the mode of executing the law is clearly defined When
law is resisted the administrative officers have right
to call upon the power of the country and the military
force may aid the posse cods in executing the judicial
process But was i proposed to send Gen. Scott there to
in sabordination to the sheriff of the
coitats II THAI the object il of which he
did not approve for il was calling upon the highest officer
in the army to go there to perform very subordinate
duty-that of aiding the sheriff in making arrests and
bringing criminals before the courts of justice But II that
the object it could only be that appeal to
be made from the courts Of Justice to the military power
II case should arise provided in the constitution and
by laws where there should be insurrecton rebel
iou-n there should be combined resistance to law the
military power could be called into reqaisition. But what
fiuzp in
government Were there enough TO require that the army
the United States with Gen Scott its head should be
sent into the 6eldf He did not believe that such state
OF things existed and he did not suppose would
to that No do anything more than to enforce
the laws; and those who in Kansas were compe
tent for that All questions that might arise could be set
tied in the Of justice; and man. from the Pres
dent Of the United States the Supreme Court Of the Uni
ted States down to the lowest officer the lowest court in
the country could act except by authority oaw In this
government there power but that of law man,
and body Of men, above the law no body of men
could possess any except in accordance with law
The case was Avery plain one was that in individual
the law could not he enforced but that any
reason for introducing commission new tribunal,
which does prevail elsewhere throughout the country
The only difficulty in Kansas that there were those
who not willing that the law should be maintained,
sdudcaed by the courts Of Justice and the question
was whether the laws should be enforced whether they
should he allowed to be trampled under foot
Mr.. ADAMS believed that the President had power 10
recommend Congress the enactment Of any laws which
he might think conducive to the public Interest," but he
could ind or authority Tor Congress 10 recon-
mend the President the in which he should per-
form his duties.
Mr. MALLORY said that he should vote against taking
up the resolution and he should against Its adoption
In any form. II implied not only condemnation OF the
which the President has adopted but condemna
ton Of the officers who have been in command OF the gov
troops In Kansas He thought that II the debate
Kansas affairs should In Congress before long
all agitation would have subsidized, and order would be
restored In that Territory
Mr.. CRITTENDEN was not a little surprised at the op-
k.A ,ct4A
resolution. lie had hoped for different result The
proposition was introduced with the utmost simplicity OF
purpose as by which the anarchy and bloodshed
which prevailed In Kansas might, In all probability,
be put end to- Its adoption could do harm, and II
might perhaps be productive OF good lie intended no
the President did he TO encroach on
the presidential perogatives lie felt personally as well as
officially every proper respect and regard for the Chief
Magsrnte and be believed that he had been at least
much sinned against SHINING in this whole affair IL
said by gentlemen the other side that nothing was
wanting but submission to the laws What was II that
made anarchy II because people had different views
the character and the binding force of these laws
The refusal TO obey laws everywhere made nsurrccon
but unhappy for mankind the remedy not adequate
TO the disease everybody would obey the laws there
would be need Of courts judges sheris or jais
much less would there be civil anywhere upon earth
But IL the evil of society II the alty OF human
nature that would differ TO their ideas Of law, and
their responsibilities In rendering obedience Sometimes
they would prefer license TO restraint and IT. therefore be
necessary TO resort TO the strong OF government
to enforce the law But IL delicate matter and re
quired be approached cautiously II fearful thing
TO the sword and shed the blood OF our citizens
and he hoped that the necessity Of such measure would
be carefully pondcred Gen Scott combined prudence and
energy; he was Of all others the man who could best
aay the irritation and harmony among the people
of Kansas and he hoped tho Senate would recommend
flor IL only recommendation that his services IN