Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1857-12-25
CONGRESSIONAL.
Washington, Dec.

OENATE.--mr. f1atDlin regarueu tno nSJ
of Committees as disproportionate and sec
tional ..st.- ffa. f fp 4eH !
Mr.. Doolittle objected TO the arrangement |
of the committees, referring especially to the
wants Of the great North and West, and the
Importance of tho commerce. and naviga-
ton thereof Ja ,tcN E Es.cu
Mr.. Chandler denied that the Republi-
cans Of the Senate had ever assented to such
formation Of committees
Mr.. Pugh, while intending to vote for the
list as the nominees of Democratic Cau-
Gus, yet concurred that they wero not fairly
formed. a
Mr.. Stuart stated that he had declined
serving on the Committee Of Commerce.
Mr.. Bayard vindicated the propriety Of
the formation of the list. IH
Mr.. Gwynn also defended the list, alleg-
ing that the Republicans, when they had
the power in the House, made tho Commit
tees sectional and unjust
Mr.. Wilson denied that such was the case
he contended that the Democratic and Pro
Slavery parties were one aud the same
The list was then agreed to by yeas 80,
nays 10.
Mr.. Gwynn 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 Kan
sas. The real issue was not whether we ap-
prove or do not approve of all all the ind-
vidual parts of the Lecompton constitution !;
the only question is, does the constitution
embody the republican form Of government
Nobody has ever disputed that. There
seemed to be a want of clear understand
ing as TO the relation the Federal Govern
ment sustained towards the Territory The
inhabitants of Kansas are people, and no
enabling act is required to impart to them
power to propose change in their form Of
Government He argued that Congress
would have no right to refuse to admit
Kansas under the Lecompton constitution
The people of Kansas never proposed to
form Government without the consent o.
Congress. The convention was held in sub.
ordination to the territorial government
and was under no obligation to submit the
constitution or any part of it to the popular
vote; they chose to submit the slavery ques
ton, which was the great bone Of conten
tion, as a matter Of policy and not from any
legal compulsion whatever. 1t was his
opinion that the submission of that ques.
ton alone, was better calculated to get the
real will and Judgment of the people, than
il the whole constitution had been submit.
ted. He concluded by urging a speedy de-
cision of the question, saying that if any Of
the provisions of the constitution were OBJ
noxious to the people of Kansas, they would
have the power to modify or change them
at any time.
Mr.. Douglas replied stating his position
first, he did not regard it as fatal objec
ton that there was no enabling act in ad
vance. Secondly, he did not take the posi-
tion that it was fatal objection that tn,
constitution was not submitted to the peo
pie before it was sent to Congress for &C
ceptancc. The position he did assume wa
that the regular made of proceeding, is b
an enabling act, but if the territorial Leg
islature call convention, without havin,
the consent Of Congress, it is irregular, bu
not so irregular that necessarily follows tha
all its proceedings are vitiated The LIE
compton convention was not an unlawful
body, bat it was not convention athorizet
TO establish or institute n government 70
itself; the. schedule said the constitution
should be submitted TO all the people O
Kansas for approval or disapproyal. N
constitution could be considered republican
which did not embody the will of the pee
n pie who are to be governed by it. TIL
next question was the best mode of obtain
ing that will. He argued with the Pres
dent the best mode was to- submit it to tn
y people for acceptance or objection. II
r could not admit that constitution forced 0
r a people against their will, was republica
IF constitution. 1t was of no use to say
ir was good constitution. Congress has n
IS right to force this thing down their throat
IT against their will. The Senator from Mis-
d souri, urged the Importance of terminatin
d controversy. Now he (Douglas) would
IT anything that was right and Just to term
d nate it. He would sacrifice everything bu
!, principle, honor and country, to close th
t. unhappy controversy; but how are we to d
rs it9 1t must be done upon the principle {
J; enternal justice and truth, or it will not sta
D closed Congress must terminate it upo
d the principles of self government, or the
s. will not have a republican form of govern
D. ment. No system of patching up and tricl
,r cry will settle this question. Instead
N having peace, it would be only the bcgil
IS ming of new controversy, and would
Is necessary to increase the army and use th
Of military force, if the majority were to /
r subjected to tho oppression of the minorit
n He trusted there would be no outbreak, n
ii violence but he feared such a result il h
majority of the people Of Kansas were
be coerced into submission TO the will
IS the minority.
'e Mr.. Douglas then argued that the peop
= of Kansas could not change their constit
u ton, if adopted, till the year 1854, al
ie then only by a convention called by tw
J thirds Of the Legislature, This was not
We be regarded as an administration ,neasur,
G every man on the floor of the Senate wi
q at perfect liberty to vote for or agains
% without surrendering his party ties III
"a adoption of the measure would not on
d. rend asunder the Democratic party, b,
N would endanger the perpetuity Of the Uniol
q The President was frank man, and
: did not believe the President would ask Il
u \ Senators to, run their pccks into the halt
;" Of .disunionionism or civil war before. |
was ready to take the lead and point OF
y the way. Then let us restore peace TO Il
oountru he iunori0o, the roSsla. 4. o,,,vo..t. -,