Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-12-17

did not embody the will of the people who
were to be governed by it. The next cues
ton was, the best mode OF obtaining that will
He argued, with the President, that the best
mode was to refer it to the people for accent
ance or rejection. He could not admit that
a Constitution forced upon a people against
their will, was a republican constitution. 1t
was of no use to say it was good constitW
ton. Congress has no right to cram n oood
thing down their throats against their will
The Senator from Missouri urged the I'M
portanee of terminating the coptroversv
Now he Douglas would do ANYTHING that
was right and just to terminate it.
He would sacrifice everything but prineiple
and honor, and country, in order to close this
unhappy controversy. But how are we to do
it 1t must be done upon the principles of
eternal justice and truth, or it will not stav
closed Congress must close it upon the prin-
clpies OF self government, or they will not
nave republican form of government. No
system OF patching up and trIckery will settle
this questlon-ihstead of having peace, it
would be only the beginning of new contro.
sy, and 1t would be necessary to increase the
army and use military power, if the majority
were to be subjected to the oppression Of he
minority He trusted there would be M ont.
break, no violence, but he feared such a re.
suit, if the majority of the people of Kanzas
were to be coerced into submission to the
will Of the minority.
Mr.. Douglas then argued that the peo.
pie of Kanzas could not change their
constitut ton, if adopted, until the wear
1864, and then only by a convention
called by two thirds of the Legislature.
This was not TO be regarded as an administra
ton measure. Every man in the Senate was
at liberty to vote for or against it, without
surrendering his party ties The adoption of
the measure would not only rend asunder the
Democratic party, but endanger tie perpetui-
ty Of the Union. The President was a frank
man, and he did not believe he would ask his
party to do that which he was unwilling to
commit on paper, or that he would ask Sem
ators to run their necks into the halter of dis
union or civil war, before he was ready to take
the lead and point out the way. Then let us
restore peace to the country, by ignoring all
these irregular conventions at Lecompton and
Topeka, and authorize the people of Kanzas
to go forward and form a constitution and
state government for themselves. That, he
believed, would restore peace in ninety DAVIS
Mr.. Green responded, arguing that con-
Ventlon could at any time be called to make
such changes in the constitution as the ma
Jority of the people might desire. The fur
Their consideration of the subject was post
2oned till Monday. Adjourned
HoUsB.-The House met in the new hall
today, and, amid much confusion, proceeded
to select their seats by lot.
A communication was received from the
clergymen of Washington, rendering their
services to open the daily sessions with prayer.
Mr.. Jones Of Pa. from the committee on
weights and measures, reported bill for the
payment OF invalid and other pensions.
Memorials were presented contesting the
seats of Messrs. Davis and Harris of Nd,
Referred.
The Printing Committee reported in favor
of printing 10000 extra copies of the Presi.
dents Message, and accompanying docu-
ments.
Mr.. Cox, of Ohio, avowed his hostility to
the Leeompton Convention. He went for
the submission of the entire constitution to
the people, stating his views at some length,
concluding by giving notice of his intention
te submit proposition to take the popular
vote on the subject.
A controversy ensued between Messrs.
hughes. of Ind, and Cox which assumed
something Of personal character, but with
out leading to any serious words.
The resolution was adopted as also toprint
10000 copies of the financial report of the Sc.
eretary of the Treasury. Adjourned.