Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-12-17
FROM WASHINGTON.
We Little Giant PIeaseth We Republic
canss
Special Dtspatch to tie n. p Tribune.


Special Dispateh to tie N. 2 Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.
The speech of Senator Douglas to-day is univer-
sally admitted TO be great speech, perhaps the
greatest ne has ever made It is admired by all
sides tor its compact force and plain solid strength
he dissected and exposed with mastery skill the
manifold absurdtes of the Lecompton plants
Inconsistency with reason, and with right with
justice, honor or fairness with the professions of
the Democratic party, and with the principles of
popular sovereignty, all of which demanded une-
quivocaly that the whole Constitution should be
submitted in good faith to the people of Kansas.
Though biz LANGUAGE was courteous, the manner
Ex-senator Douglas was bold naughty defant-the
manner of a man who had deliberately assumed
plrllous position, and had made up his mind to
or'Ve the consequences. His closing declaration,
gwen with great energy that if the Administration
aud the Democratic party persisted in the course
they were now pursuing upon the Kansas question,
he should be compelled by every consideration Of
hnnoF, good faith and consistency, to separate him
sill from them, was greeted with round OF ap-
plause by the crowded galleries
Senator Mason, of Virginia, who was evidently
much dis@usted by the speech of Mr. Douglas,
moved that the galleries be cleared. Senator Pugh,
OF Ohio, said be should call for the yeas and nays
If the motion to clear the galleries was persisted
IN. Atter much persuasion, Mr.. Mason Withdrew
his motion.
Although every Senator in the chamber must
have felt that Mr.. Douglas speech was unanswera-
bic, one or two of the Administr men under.
took to parry a few of his blows. Mr.. Bigler, of
Penn, who s understood to sp elk for the Pr, ST.
dent, began by admitting the force of the argus
ment, an of the considerations urged by the Sena'
tor from Illinois in favor of submitting the whole
Constitution to the vote of the people; but thought
1t sufficient answer them to state the fact that
the feelings and opinions of the majority of the
people were such that it useless to expect that
the Constitution would be adopted, or that p ace
full and fair election would be held. He yentured
also to taunt Mr.. Douglas with Inconsistency.
The Little Giant turned upon him with the men
OF lion who has received an insult from infe-
TiOT quarter, and speedily brought the Senator
from Pennsylvania to highly deterential attitude.
The contest between them was almost painful
to behold. 1t was the spectacle of a weak man
struggling unavailingly in the grasp of a strong
man.
In the course of the debate Mr.. Bigler alluded
to private conference of Democratic Senators
year two ago at the house of Mr.. Douglas, at
which it was determined by them, that for certain
considerations the Kansas Constitution, when
framed, should not be submitted to the popular
vote He insnuated, rather than charged, that the
Senator from Illinois, Influenced by the aforesaid
certain considerations" bad assented to the a.
greement that the Constitution should not be sub
mtted to the people,
MIR. Douglas baughtily and pre-emptoriy denied
it Nj r. Bieler hesitated. At this moment, Mr..
Hale, of New Hampshire, who like the rest OF the
Republican Senators, had watched with silent in
terest the progress of the fight, rose, and in his
blandest and most in-iuuatng manner, addressed
the Pennsylvania Senator, remarsng that be did
not wish to interfere in the discussion, but
attentive and disnterested auditor, he would ask
the Senator to explain a phrase be had used,
the meaning of which did not seem to be quite
clear.
Mr.. Biger nnocenty protested his readiness to
afford any expl nation in his power.
81 wish to know" said Mr.. Hale, "merely for the
Ike Of tiOn q course what the exact
nature of these considerations to which the Sena-
tor so delecately and mystertousy refers as infu-
encing the Democratic Senators in the matter Of
submitting the Constitution OF Kansas to the pOpu-
Ian vote"
IA spite of the grave mood into which they had
been thrown by Mr.. Douglass speech, even the
Democratic Senators could not refrain from laugh
ing at tue embarrassment into which this question
threw Mr.. Bigler.
Altur some hesitation he recovered presence of
mind enough to reply that the considerations in
question the condition and circumstances Of
Kansas at the time.
Mr.. Hale did press his inquiry. It would
have been unkind to do so.
The debate was soon closed, and the Senate went
into Executive Session TO act upon Message from
the President, removing Secretary Stanton of Kan
sas, and appointing Gen. Denver in his place. The
cause of Stsntons removal is said to be the receipt
of Geographic dispatch to-day nOuncing that he
had called together the Legislature OF Kansas.
Une debate on the Kansas portion OF the mes
sage will be resumed on Monday. The Little Giant
standing at bay, will be more than match for all
his antagonists. In losing him, the Democratic
party loses the only that could have put the
LecomPton Constitution through Congress. They
have no other who combines intellectual re-
with the requisite energy and force of will.
be is naturally qualified to shine in opposition, and
the South will find him even more formidable as an
antagonist than he has been useful a friend.
The struggle of Stephen a. Douglas with the
Slave Power will be a magnificent spectacle to wit
ness. He is equal to the fight, anu with the North
to back him, will come out of il victorious if bis
courage does not fail him. He has Oegun the bat
tie spendidly, and l think will not back out.