The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-29
Congress Yesterday upon Kansas-HOt Work
for the Dog Days.

The proceedings yesterday in both houses Of
Congress upon Kansas were highly interesting
and important. The proposition of Mr. Critten-
den in the Senate to amend the organic law of
the Territory was a move in the right direction.
The principle of the law repeating the Missouri
Compromise is constitutional principle but
the stump speech in the belly of the BILL y es-
tablishing the doctrine of squatter sovereignty,
has proved most egregious, disastrous and
bloody humbug. The democratic leaders of the
Senate, in adopting the bill Of Mr.. Toombs, ad-
NIT that, thus far, the Kansas-Nebraska bill,
which all democrats have been compelled to
swear by is a bloody humbug; and so we think
that the movement Of Mr.. Crittenden to patch it
up into a practical shape, SO that it will hold
water, is movement in the right direction.
He proposes temporarily to transfer the legis-
lative power TO the Governor and Judges. And
why not? Is not this better than civil war? This
ritorial election, which is appointed to come off
on the same day with general Missouri militia
training throughout the Territory, and thus it
may make day Of peace, where otherwise we may
expect day Of violence, blood and crime
Mr.. Crittenden next proposes that the Secretary
of the Territory shall forward the laws of the
Governor and Judges to the President, to be APP
peal those infamous unconstitutional and des-
potic laws of the Missouri-Kansas Legislature,
as proposed by the democratic Senator from
California Mr.. Weller, {who has an eye, perhaps,
upon similar revolutionary legislation by the
Vigilance Committee at San Francisco.) Fourth
", Mr.. Crittenden's new bill proposes general
amnesty to political Offenders, which Will, OF
course include the immediate release of those
free State prisoners held in chains as guilty of
high treason, under custody Of the United States
army, which prisoners President Pierce, in viola
ton of his pledge, still continues to hold in
rons.
BY reference to our Congressional reports it
viii be seen that Mr. Crittenden earnestly advo-
Gated this bill ; but from the drift of the debate
thus ELECTED, there is very little hope Of this or
any other scheme of immediate pacifcation being
adopted by the Senate. The recommendations Of
Mr.. Hunter, Southern leader Of the Buchanan
democracy, on the other hand, indicate the closing
Vi tnlS esSrion Witnout any aPpioAiinastoh w u
compromise upon Kansas or the Army bill.
The proceedings of the House of Representa-
tives are still more interesting and significant
than those of the Senate. The report of Mr..
Campbell, from the Committee on Conference
between the two houses, on the Army bill, shows
exactly where the shoe pinches. The House is
thus placed more strongly in the right than ever
before, and the tenacity with which they adhere
TO their position Is magnificent. But after what
has been developed, If there is to be any indie
pendent legislation for Kansas, in the way Of
pacifcation, let the House insist upon it in adj
vance Of the Army bill, or they may be defeated
by the artful Buchanan dodgers and jugglers of
the administration and the Senate.
Finally. as the Senate appear to be disinclined
to any overtures OF accommodation, and ready
adjourn without passing the Army bill in any
shape except their own, We hope the House will
oblige them by closing up the session and leaving
the army on short rations for a month or two.
Better stop their supplies than continue to pam
per them as Mr. Pierce's allies Of the border
ruffans Let the House adhere to their position,
If the Senate will listen to no compromise. That
proyiso viii do good service for Fremont, should
it be carried before the people for their judg-
ment