The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-17
XXXVth Congress.
FIRST SESSION.

Washington, Dec. 8.
The House was occupied entirely except the time
devoted to the reading Of the Presidents Message to
debate on the Partnership without coming to any
conclusion
sEsArR-The Message Of the President of the Uni
ted States received and read.
Mr.. Douglas submitted motion for the printing of
the usual number Of copies Of the message and
mens and copies thereof for the of the SEN
ate. He remarked that he concurred heartily and
cordially in the views ofthe President with the excep
ton Of that portion relating Kansas and the action
of the Lecomton Convention. At an early day he
would express his views and give why he be-
ieved the people of Kansas had been left the
organic acs declared, perfectly free to form and
regulate their institutions in their own way.
Mr.. Gwin offered substitute, that the printing be
executed by the printer the Senate the
sion.
ing the Lecompton movement. At future day he
would the subject and insist to the extent OF
like all others and have the fullest opportunity to have
to regulate such institutions they wished to live
under.
Mr. Davis concurred in the views of the President
the Kansas question, and would await the promised
marks of MIR. Douglas, before he expressed his own
/ views
Mr. Biger gave notice that he should defend the po-
son assumed by the President to the best of his abi-
| ty, and that he would respond to Mr. Douglas
Mr.. Douglas accepted Mr.. Gwin's substitute.
Mr.. Hale spoke In opposition to the Constitution
ormsd by the Lecompton Convention arguing that il
perpetuates slavery In Kansas matter whether the
people accepted or rejected the slavery clause.
Mr. Seward should be glad to hear the supporters OF
the President explain his position for ii seemed to him
that the message very lame and mpotent In its
gument on Kansas and that something more would be
required to satisfy the people than is contained in the
docu itself He trusted that the debate on this
point wobd not be delay ed long, before we were
aware Of it there might be civil in Kansas. After
reviewing other parts message he said he hoped
at a at Ftah Gnn
| gress substantially unanimous; that the world
might be assured that the off the w. States
would suffer its fame be tarnished it's power in
suited and the lives of its citizens destroyed by
emy entrenched though il be in the Rocky Mountains
and under the forms of the Constitution of the United
States.
Mr. Mason was free to declare that all information
come from questionable II he understood the
Presidents position, and he thought he did the Pres
dents position was impregnabe.
Mr. Trnbull denied that the Legislature Of Kansas
had authority to initiate the Convention. 1t was,
cording to speech once delivered in the Senate by
Mr. Buchanan himself, act of usurpation Congress
had repeatedly refused authority to the people of Kan
sas TO form State Constitution much had been sait
about popular sovereignty, but this merely a
mounts, according to the expostor of the party, u
giving the free white people of the right
determine the condition of a few negroes, while they
are precluded from regulating their institutions II
their way
Mr.. Brown said there seemed TO be great anxiety u
enter into discussion and especially find fault They
had heard the message imperfecy read by the clerk
and therefore could not properly understand it. III,
asked Senators to pause and sleep the document
before induging in debpte which would go forth II
the country over telegraph wires penetrating
Kansas, and giving tone to public opinion the pre-
misses not yet perfectly understood. He asked the
Senators to reflect before taking their Positions
uttering sentiments under circumstances to which h
had referred On his motion the Senate then adjourn