The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-12-31

WASHINGTON, Dec. l6.

A communication was eceiTed from the
clergymen Of Washington, rendering their
services TO open the daily sessions with
prayer.
Mr.. Jones, OF Pa, reported bin for the
payment Of invalid and other pensions.
Memorials were presented contestng The
seats of Davis and Harris, Of Md.
The Printing Committee reported in favor
Of printing 90 600 copies Of the President
message and accompanying documents.
Mr.. Cox showed his hostility to the le-
compton Constitution. He went for the
submission Of the antire constitution TO the
people, stating his views at some length, and
concluding by giving notice Of his intention
to submit proposition 10 take the popular
vote on the subject.
A controversy ensued between Hughes, Of
Ind, aud Cox, which assumed something OF
personal character, but without leading to
any serious words.
Adjourned.
SENArE.--A resolution was adopted that
the Senate will tomorrow proceed 10 the
election OF a printer.
On motion Of Mr.. Gwin, q resolution was
adopted calling Oh the President for all the
correspondence between the Department and
the pr sent Governor Of Kansas, together
with all orders and instructions which have
been issued TO the said officer.
Some of the Standing Committees are as
follows:
On Foreign Relations Mason, Douglas, ST
dell Polk, Crittenden. Seward. foote.
On Commerce Clay, benjamin, blgler'
Toosnhs Reed Allen Hamhltu
On Public Lands Stewart, johnson. OF Ar
kansas, Pugh. johnson, of Tenn. Frederick,
Foster, Harlan.
On Private Land Claims piamin, Biggs,
Thompson, Of Kentucky, Kennedy. Durkee.
On Indian Administration, Brown, Reid.
Fitch. Bell, Of Tennessee, Houston, Doolittle.
On Terri,ories-Douglas. Jones, sebastian.
Fitzpatrick, Green, Collamer, Wade.
Mr.. Green proceeded to speak on Kansas
affairs. and objected to Mr.. Douglas speech
as we'll calculated TO prejudice the question
pending before the people of Kansas. The
real issue was not whether We approve or
do not approve Of all the individual parts Of
the IAcompton constitution, the only ques-
ton is does the constitution embody the
Republican form Of government: Nobody
has ever disputed that. There seemed to be
want OF cloar understanding as to the
relation the Federal government sustans
towards the Territory. The inhabitants Of
Kansas are people, and no enabling act is
required to mpsrt to them power TO pro-
pose change in their form of government
lie argued that Congress would have no
right to refuse TO admit X aDsas under the
Lecompton constitution The people OF
Kansas never proposed TO form govern.
ment without the consent Of Congress. The
convention was held in suborCinaton TO the
Territorial government, and was under no
obligation TO submit the constitution or any
part of it TO the popular vote. They chose
to submit the slavery question, which was
the great bone Of contention, as a matter OF
of policy ard not from any legal compusion
whatever. and it was his opinion that the
submission Of that question alone was better
calculated 10 get the real will and judgment
Of the people than If the whole constitution
had been submitted.
lie concluded by urging speedy decision
of the question, saying that if any Of the
provisions OF the Constitution were obnox-
ious to the people Of kansas. that they
would have the power OF modifying and
changing them at any time.
Mr.. Douglas replied, stating his position.
First, he did not regard as a fatal obec-
ton that there was no enabling act in adj
vance.
Second, he lid not take the position that
it was fatal objection that the Constitution
was not submitted TO the people before il
was sent to Congress for their acceptance.
The position he did assume was, that the
regular rhode of proceeding is by an ena-
bling act. but If the Territorial Legislature
proceeds 10 call a convention without bav-
ing the consent OF Congress, it is irregular,
but not 10 irregular that il necessarily fol-
lows that all it's proceedings are vitiated.-
The Iecomp,on Convention was not an un-
lawful body. but il was not tOnv,u,ion
AUTHORIZED TO establish or institute gov.
eminent ( itself The schedule said the
Consultation should be submitted 10 All the
people of ksnsas for approval or dsap-
pr0val no Constitution could be consider
ed republican which did not embody the
will Of the people who are to he governed
by it, The next question was the best
mode Of obtaining that will lie agreed
with tie President, The best mode was TO
submit !, 20 the people for acceptance or re.
lection He could not admit that Copsti-
tntion forced 90 people against their will
was Republican Constitution. II war OF
no use TO saw thst j, vas good Constta-
ton. Congress has no right TO iurce this
thing down their threats against their will.
The Senator from Missouri urged the irHr
portance OF terminating the controversy
now
lie tDoIgiasl would DO anything that Was
right and JUS, to terminate il be would
sacrifice everything bu, principle. honor and
country, 70 c!cse this unhappy controversy.
but how are We 10 doit, Il must I've done
upon the principle Of eternal truth and JUS
,ice, or il viii bot stay clo-ed Congrss
must terminate il upon the principles Of
slfgovernuer', or they will not have q re-
publican form Of government. No system
OF patching and trickry will etsle thi.
n