Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-12-16
RIGLER AND DouGLAs-

On last Wednesday Senator Douglas defined
his Vposition in the U. S. Senate on the Kan
sas question, in which he severely ccnsured
the Administration. Mr.. Bigler, who evident
ly wishes to be the Apollo of the Administra-
ton, undertook to rap the ''little giant" over
the knuckles. We have not room TO give the
debate, and therefore content ourselves with
the following account from New York paper:
Mr. Bigler of Pennsy lyania, who is under
stood TO speak for the President. began by ad-
mitting the force of the argument. and OF the
considerations urged by the Senator from IL
linois in favor of submitting the whole constt-
tuition to the vote of the people; but thought
it a sufficient answer to them 10 state the fact
that the feelings and opinions OF the majority
OF the people were such that it was useless to
expect that the Constitution would be adopted,
OF that peaceful and fair election would be
held. lie yentured also TO taunt Mr.. Douglas
with inconsistency.
The Little Giant turned upon him with the
mien of lion who has received an insult
from an inferior quarter, and speedily brought
the Senator from Pennsylvania TO highly de-
fercntial attitude.
In the course Of the debate Mr. Bigler al
luded to a private conference OF Democratic
Senators year two ago at the House of
Mr.. Douglas, at which ii was determined 10y
them, that for certain considerations, the Kan
I
submitted to the popularyote. He insinuated,
rather than charged, that the Senator from
/ Illinois, influenced by the aforesaid ''certsiH
| considerations, had assepted to the agree
! ment that the Constitution should not be sub
! mitted TO the people
Mr. Douglas haughtiy and percmptoTily
denied it. Mr.. Bigler hesftated. At this mo-
ment, Mr.. Hale, of New Hampshire, who, like
! the rest of the Republican Senators, had watch
/ ed with silent interest. the progress of the
/ fight rose and in his blandest and most In
/ sinuating manner. addressed the Pennsylvania
! Senator, remarking that he did not wish to
! interfere in the discussion, but as IN atten-
tive and disintercsted auditor, he would
ask the Senator to explain phrase he had
used, the meaning of which did not secm 70
| be quite clear.
Mr.. BigIer innocently professed his resdi-
ness to afford any explanation in his power
! 81 wish to know said Mr.. Hale, ssmerely
/ for the sake of information, of course, what
| was the exact nature OF those considerations TO
which the Senator so delicately and mysteri-
ously refers as influencing the Democratic
Senators in the matter Of submitting the Con
! stitution of Kansas to the popular vote
| In spite of the grave mood into which they
had been thrown by Mr.. Douglas speech, even
/ the Democratic Senator's could not refrain
/ from laughing at the embarrassment into
which this question threw Mr.. Biglcr.
Mr.. Biglcr said no one had said more on this
|
keeping free State people from the polls. He
(Bigler) was interested to get Kansas into the
Union.
Mr.. Douglas, 10 prevent wrong impressions,
asked Mr.. Bgler whether lie meant TO be IN
derstood as saying be, in his own house or else
where, had expressed himself in fuyor Of the
Constitution without being submitted to the
people.
Mr. Bigier-I made no such allegation.
Mr.. Douglas-Iou left it to be inferred.
viii not allow Il TO be inferred that j SO de-
clared in my own house. If did rot, acquit
me of it.
Mr.. Bigler-I repeat have no recollection
Of the Senator participating in the discussion.
Mr.. Douglas-If had nothing TO do with II,
don't know what my house had 10 do with IL.
| (Laughter-)
Mr.. Biglcr-What l said was truth, and .l.at
only. What 1 said is on record.