Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-12-31
The Kansas Debate.
SENATE.
WAsBrseror, Dec. 2s 1875

SupJeCt vi hAuSAS
Mr.. Stuart said it was well remarked by
Attorney -Gen'l Butler in the Arkansas case
that the powerof Congress upon the subject
of the admission of new States is plenary.
When the question is presented it must
necessarily be determined by the circum-
stances which surround and govern that
particular case. 1t is power which au-
thorizes the admission of foreign States as
well as these formed out of our own do
minions, and this single statement would
show at glance that precedents never
could, and never ought to be regarded for
the purpose of determining the powerofpro-
priety in particular case. Congress, and
Congress alone, under the power conferred
upon it by the Constitution, is to deter
mine not only the question of whether the
State shall be admitted at all; but is equal
ly empowered with authority to determine
how it shall be admitted. Enabling acts
were not to be regarded as indispensably
necessary to the admission of new States.
He proceeded to apply those principles to
the case under consideration. The ques
tions to be asked whether the form of gov
ernment was republican, and whether the
people were satisfied with it, and asked ad-
mission under it, for the power of Congress
was to admit State, and not coerce it
He contended that half the people of Kan
sas had had no opportunity to vote for the
election of delegates to the Convention, as
in some counties no census had been taken.
How could they be expected to abide by
its decision when their voice had not been
heard? He also believed that the Con-
vention intended trick and fraud upon
the people, and expressed views in accord
ance with those which Mr.. Douglas had
previously submitted. He would never
give his vote to consumate that fraud,
which he believed to be the most enor-
nous that was ever undertaken to be prac-
ticed upon any people under the forms of
law. He believed that if this Constitution
was forced upon the people of Kansas. those
who did it would light the torch of civil
discord Throughout the Union. They
might cry peace, but there would be no
peace.
Mr.. Broderick said, while he agreed with
Messrs Douglas and Stuart in most of their
remarks, there was one point on which he
wished to say few words. When Gov
ernor Walker and Secretary Stanton went
to Kansas they found state of insurrec-
tion existing there, and succeeded, with
great labor in restoring peace. Now, he
thought the President and his Cabinet
were alone responsible for the recent out
breaks. This was the first time he had
known the President to decend from his
high position and attempt to coerce peace
able citizens to the will of illegal party
men; be had rendered as much service in
the election of Mr.. Buchanan as any gen.
tleman on this floor. He was also some
what astonished at the forbearance of the
people of Kansas toward the delegates to
the Convention. If the people had fog
ged them, cut their ears of, and sent them
out of the Territory, he for one would have
applauded them for it. He would not
make any extended remarks now, but if
the Lecompton Constitution should ever
be presented to the Senate, be might have
something to say about it then. He would
remark that be was no Free-Soiler. In his
own State his most bitter opponents were
Republicans.
During a conversational debate, in order
to show his opposition to the Free-Soil
movements, Mr.. Broderick alluded to the
fact that some years since at a Conven-
ton of the Democratic party in the State Of
New York, of which Messrs. Doolittle and
Preston King were members the PROPOSE
ton was made that if one wing of the par
ty should consent to the passage of a reso-
luton endorsing the Wilmot proviso, they
might have all the officers, but he refused
to enter into any such agreement.
Mr.. Doolittle said it WAS true he was in the
Convention, and that the Democratic par
ty then were divided on that issue. So
far as he was concerned, though such reso-
lutions were submitted no proposition over
came from him, directly, that, in consider
alton of the passage of the resolutions, the
offices should be bestowed on the other
side.
Mr.. Broderick said it was Mr.. King who
made the proposition to him.
Mr.. King remarked that he had no special
recollection of such conversation. He
had always considered there could bo no
other motive on the part of citizens resid-
ing in Free States to oppose such resolu
tions, than the hope of obtaining Offices
Laughter.
Mr.. Broderick replied, if his wing of the
party were anxious to obtain Offices, they
would not agree to the passage of resolu-
tions for that object.
Mr.. King remarked that such conversa-
tions were SO frequent that although he did
not recolect this particular one, he did not
question the accuracy of Mr.. Broderick's
statement. Laughter.
Mr.. Doclittle said at the time the Will
mot Proviso was before the Senate, it was
expected it would pass. Mr.. Clay wrote
letter to that effect, and Mr.. Cass ex-
pressed his anxiety again and again to be
permitted to record his vote in its favor
1t, however, failed, because John Davis
talked out the las. hours Of that Congress.
In order to obtain the nomination Of the
Democratic party for President, the South
ern delegates having been instructed to
oppose the nomination of any man who
was not on record against the Wilmot Pro-
viso, Mr.: Cass wrote the Nicholson letter.
A Blundering Administration.
The telegraph informs us that the Ad-