Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-12-17


clusion.
WASHINGTON, Dee. 8.
The House proceeded to the election
of printer.
Mr.. Bocock nominated James B. Steed-
man, and Mr.. Washburne, of Me-, nomi-
mated G. w. Weston.
The vote was taken and stood--Jas. B.
Steedman, 12l; g. w. Weston, 80; scat
tering, a.
The former was declared elected.
SENArE.-The galleries were densely
crowded again this morning, in expecta-
ton of speech from Senator Douglas.
Mr.. Pugh gave notice of his intention
to introduce bill for the improvement
of the navigation of the Ohio River.
Mr.. Mason offered resolution, which
was debated and passed, inviting the cler-
gymen of the district to officiate gratui-
tously, as chaplains of the Senate.
Mr.. Gwynn gave notice of his intention
to introduce bills providing for the con-
struction of northern, southern, and Gen.
trail Pacific r. R. bills Also a bill to
organize the Territory of Arizona.
Mr.. Douglas said he was yesterday un-
der the impression that the President had
approved of the action of the Lecompton
Convention, and under that impression
he felt it to be his duty to state that while
be concurred in the general views of the
Message, yet SO far as it did approve or
endorse the action of that Convention, he
en,i:ely dissented from it, and would give
his reasons for such dissent.
Upon more careful and critical exam
nation of the message, he was rejoiced
to find the President had not entirely ap-
proved the action Of that convention
He was also rejoiced to find that the
President had not recommended that
Congress should pass laws receiving Kan
sas into the Union as State, under the
Constitution formed at Lecompton. 1t is
true the tone of the message indicates
willingness on the part CT the President
to sign any bill Congress might pass, re-
ceiving Kansas into the Union as State
under that Constitution, but it was very
significant fact that the President had
RETAINED from any endorsement of the
Convention and from any recommends
ton as to the course which Congress
should pursue in regard to the admission
of Kansas. Indeed, the President had
expressed deep modification and disap-
pointment that the whole Constitution
was not submitted to the people of Kan
sas for their acceptation or rejection.
He proceeded to show that Congress
could not properly receive Kansas into
the Union under the Lecompton Consti-
tuition.
Not only the slavery question, but all
others must be submitted to the people
of Kansas, as they are guaranteed to es-
tablish all their domestic institutions for
themselves. On this principle, the whole
constitution must be submitted to ascer-
tain whether or not it meets with their
appreciation.
Mr.. d. commended that the people OF
Kansas ought TO have an opportunity to
vote against the Constitution if they chose
to do SO. He compared the freedom al
lowed by the Lecompton Constitution to
the freedom at the elections in Paris
when Louis Napoleon was elected Presi-
dent. The reason assigned why tho peo-
pie of Kansas where not allowed to vote
on the acceptance of the Constitution
prepared was, that if they had the chance
they would vote it down by an over
whclming majority. He believed they
would, and thought it was clear viola
ton of the organic act thus to force the
obnoxious constitution upon the majority
When Mr.. Douglas had concluded,
there was applause in the galleries.
Mr.. Bigler replied to Mr.. Douglas,
saying, the convention was called accord