Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-12-23


and Florida there could be reason why he Could
not vote for the admission Of Kansas The assent
of Congress may be given at any time. -
a The organic act declares that the people OF Kan
sas shall be perfectly free to form and regulate their
domestic institutions in their own way. That way
the convention was under no obligation to submit
the constitution any part of it. to popular vote
They chose to submit the slavery question, which
was the great bone of contention, as matter OF
policy and prudence, and not from any legal compu-
sion whatever. And Mr.. G.. declared it as his opin-
ion that the submission Of that question alone was
better calculated to get the real will and judgement
OF the people than if. the whole constitution had
been submitted. 1t had also been said that the
people of Kansas had been deceived, and that posi-
tive pledges and promises to submit the constitution
had been made and violated That was a matter
about which there had been great deal of contro-
versy, and as we had positive evidence he did
not think it proper to dwell on it. .'.,..tsi
Mr.. G. concluded his very able and logical speech
by urging the Importance Of deciding this question
speedily as to put end to the constant agita.
ton which had so long embittered the feelings of the
different sections of the Union. He thought the
constitution met the appreciation of majority of
the people of Kansas and if any Of it's provisions
were obnoxious to them. they would have the power
of modifying or changing them at any time.
Mr.. Douglas expressed his qualification at the
tone and spirit in which the from Missouri
had discussed this question; but that senator
seemed to have misapprehended his position as laid
down in the speech delivered the other day, he
would make brief statement on one or two points
in order that the Senate and the country mil ht
what his position really was. First, he did not re-
gard it fatal objection that there was no enabling
act in advance and, second, he did not take the po
son that it fatal obe ction that the constitu
ton was not submitted to the people before it was
sent to Congress for acceptance The position that
he did assume was, that the regular mode Of pro-
ceedng is by enabling act but if the territorial
leg stature proceeds'to call convention without hav
ing the consent of Congress to do that is irregular
but not so irregular that necessarily follows that
all the proceeding are vitiated. A convention
any other body of men may send petition to Con-
gress for change in the form of their government,
and Congress is at liberty to accept reject the Pc
tton as it pleases The Lecompton convention was
not an unlawful body, and might send petition; but
it was not convention authorized to establish in
stitnte government for itself Many new States
have been admitted without enabling act first be-
ing passed by Congress.
Mr.. d. then urged that the schedule said that the
constitution should be submitted to all the people of
Kansas for approval or disapproval. No constitu-
ton could be considered republican which did not
imhody the will of the people who to be govern
ed by it and was not formed by their action. The
next question was what is the best mode of ascer-
tanning that will? He agreed with the President
that the best mode to refer it to the people for
the'r acceptance OF TejectlOn Oy d 1alr VOTE lie
could not admit that constitution forced upon the
people against their will was republican constitu-
ton. 1t was no use to say that it was good con-
stitution; Congress had no right to cram good
thing down their Threats against their will. The
question was, whether the people should be permit.
ted to form their own constitution The senator
from Missouri had urged the importance of terminal
ing this controversy. Mr. d. said he would do any,
thing that right, anything that was just in or
der to terminate it; he would sacrifice everything
but principle and honor and country in order to close
this unhappy agitation. But how are we to do it -?
1t must be done upon the principles of eternal justice
and truth, or it will not stay closed Congress must
terminate it upon the principles of self government
or they will not have republican system of govern.
men. No system of patching up and trickery will
settle this question Instead of having peace it will
only be the beginning of controversy 1t
would be necessary to increase the army and use the
military power of the government. if the majority
were TO be subjected to the oppression of the m,nori-
ty. He trusted there would be no outbreak and no
violence; but he feared such result if the majori-
ty of the people of Kansas were to be coerced into
submission to the will OF the minority
The senator from Missouri had said they could
change the constitution Immediately after they be-
came State; but Mr. d. contended on the other
hand that it could not be changed until 1864, and
then only by convention to be called bv two-thirds
of the legislature. 1t principle of law that
when constitution provides for its being changed
at particular time, and in particular manner, it
excludes all other times and all other modes. ANY
court in Christendom would thus cons,rue it: and
the only other mode of changing their constitution
would be by revolution. This scheme, therefore,
is scheme of civil war; it leads directly to war
If he should vote to admit Kansas under the Le-
compton constitution, he should feel obliged in con-
sequence to increase the army and enforce it at the
point of the bayonet. He therefore besoueht sena-
tors to pause before they committed themselves to
such fatal error. This was not to be regarded as
an administration measure; every man on the floor
of the Senate at perfect liberty to vote for or
against it without sunderng his party ties. But the
adoption of the measure would not only rend asunder
the democratic party, but endanger the peace and
perpetuty of the Union. The President of the Uni
ted States was frank man; and he did not believe
that the President would ask his party to do that to
which he was unwilling to commit himself on paper.
He did not believe that the President would ask
senators to their necks into the halter of dsun-
ion or civil war before he ready to take the lead
and point out the way Then let US restore peace
to the country by ignoring these irregular conve-
tons at Lecompton and Topeka, and authorize the
people to 60 forward and form constitution and
State government for themselves. That, he believed,
would restore quiet in ninety days.
Mr.. Green briefly replied reiterating his position
that the convention were under obligation to sub
init any part Of their labors to vote of the people:
but If they thought best as measure Of policy, to
submit any question, that of slavery was the most
proper one to be submitted. He also denied that
the people of Kansas would be compelled to retain
their present constitution unchanged until 1864 and
argued that convention could be called at any time
to make such change as the majority Of the people
might desire. 81. .s rts. - 49, q : : : .
The further consideration of the subject was post
poned until Monday next; and
The Senate adjourned. p f.-
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.
SENATE.-Mr Douglas introduced bill authori-
zng the people of Kansas to form Consultation and
State Government, preparatory to admission as
State rta . i-s-} - : . e. AIM I4r
The bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treasu-