Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1857-12-24

the power in the House, made the com
miltee sectional aud unjust.
Mr. Wilson denied that such was the
case. He eonelnded that the Democrat
&c Snl pTO-slavery parties weIe one and
the sSme.
The list was then eOnfrmed--yeas 80.
nays 10.
Mr.. Green proceeded to speak on Kan.
sas affairs. He objected to Mr. Douglas
speech as well 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 Lecompton Consti.
tuition. The only question is does the
Constitution embody the republican form
Of government? Nobody has ever dispu.
ted that. There seemed 10 be a want Of
a clear understanding as to the relation the
federal government sustains toward the
Territory. The inhabitants Of Kansas are
a people, and no enrolling act act is re
quired to impart the power to propose
change in the form Of government. He
argued that Congress would have no right
to refuse to admit Kansas under the Le-
compton Constitution.
The people Of Kansas never proposed to
form a government without the consent Of
Congress. The Convention was held in
subordination to the Territorial Govern
ment, and was under no obligation to
submit the Constitution, OF any part ofit,
to the popular vote. They chose to sub.
init the Slavery question, which was the
great bone Of contention, as matter Of
policy, and not from any legal compusion
whatever. 1t was his opinion that the
submission Of that question alone was bet
ter calculated to get the real will and judg-
ment Of the people than il the whole con.
stltutiOn had been submitted. He conclu-
ded by urging a speedy decision Of the
question. saying that if any Of the proVis-
ions of the Constitution were obnoxious to
the people of Kansas. they would have the
power Of modifying or changing them at
any time.
Mr.. Douglas replied, stating his posi-
ton. First, be did not regard it as IA
tai objection that there was no enabling
act in advance. Secondly, be did not
take the position that It was fatal objtc.
ton that the Constitution was not submit
ted to the people before it was sent 10
Congress for acceptance. The position he
did assume was that the regular mode Of
proceedings is by an enabling act, but if the
Territorial Legislature proceeds to call a
convention without having the consent of
Congless, it is irregular, but not so irregu-
lar that it necessarily follows that all it's
proceedings are vitiated.
The Lecompton Convention was not an
unlawful body, bu: it was not a Conven'
ton authorized to established or institute
a Government for itself; the schedule said
the Constitution should be submitted to
all the people of Kansas for approval or
disapproval. No Constitution could be
considered republican which did not EN-
body the will Of the people who are TO be
governed by it. The next question was
the best mode Of obtaining that will.
He agreed with the President that the
best mode was to submit it to the people
for acceptance or rejection. He could not
admit that a Constitution forced on peo-
pie against their wi,was a republican con.
sti.ution. 1t was Of no use to say it was
a good Constitution. Cosgress has no
right 10 force this thing down their throats
against their will. The Senator from Mis-.
souri urged the importance of terminating
the controversy, and he (Douglas) would
doanything that wasright and just terminate
it. lie would sacrifc everything but prin.
ciple, honor ana country, to close this un-
happy controversy. But how are We to
do itl 1t must be done upon this princi-
pie of eternal justice and truth, or it will
not stay closed. Congress must terminate
it upon the principle Of self-government,
or they will not have republican form of
government. No system Of patching up
a trickery will settle this question. In
stead of having peace, it would be only
the beginning ofa new controversy; and
it would be necessary to increase the army
ard usa the military power if the MAORI.
ty were to be subjected 70 the oppression
of the minority. He trusted there would
be no out break nor violence. but he fear
ed such result il the majority ofthe peo-
pIe of Kansas were to be coerced into the
submission to the will Of the minority.
Mr.. Douglas then argued that the peo-
pie Of Kansas could not change their Con.
stitution if ifadopted, till the year 1861 and
then only by Convention called by two
thirds of the Legislature. This was not
to be regarded as an Administration meas
ure. Every man on the floor of the Sen
ate was at perfect liberty to vote for or
against. without suuending his party ties.
The adoption of the measure would not
only rOnd assunder the Democratic party,
but endanger the perpetuity of the Union.
The President was a frank man, and be
did not believe the President would ask
the Senators to run their necks into the
halter of Disunion of civil war before he
was ready to take the lead and point out
the way. Let us restore peace to the
county by ignoring these regular Con-
ventions at Lecompton and Topeka, and
authorize the people Of Kansas to go for
ward and form a Constitution and State
Government for themselves, that, he be-
Iieved, would restore peace in ninety days.
Mr.. Green responded, arguing that
convention could al any time be enabled
to make such changes in the constitution
as the majority Of the people might desire.