Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-12-17

Tuesday, Dec. s.
SENArE.--'The Presidents Message was
received and read.
Mr.. Douglas submitted motion for print
ing the usual number of copies of the mess
age and documents, and $4,000 copies there
of for the use of the Senate. He remarked
that he concurred heartily and cordially in
the views of the President, therein expressed,
with the exception of that portion relative to
Kansas and the actionof the Lecompton Con-
v.ntion. At an early day, he would express
his views, and give the reason why he be-
lieved that the people Of Kansas had not
been left, as the organic act declared, 81 per-
fectly free to form and regulate their institu-
tons in their own way"
Mr.. Stuart of Mich. concurred in Mr..
Douglas views respecting the Lecompton
movement. At future day he would speak
on the subject, and insist to the extent of
his ability, that the people of Kansas shall
be treated like all others, and have the right
to regulate such institutions as they wish to
live under.
Mr.. Davis Of Miss. coucurred in the views
of the President on the Kansas question, and
would await the promised remarks of Mr..
Douglas before he expressed his own views.
Mr.. Bigler of Pa. gksn notice that he
should defend the position assumed by the
President, TO the best of his ability and
that he would respond to Mr. Douglas.
Mr.. Hale of N. FL. spoke in opposition to
the Constitution formed by the Lecompton
Convention, arguing that ii would perpctuate
slavery in Kansas, no matter whether the
people excepted or rejected the slavery
cause.
Mr. Seward of N. Y. should be glad to
hear the supporters of the President explain
his position; for it seemed to him that the
Message was very lame and impotout in its
arguments on Kansas, and that something
more would be required to satisfy the public
mind than is contained in the document it.
self. He trusted that the debate upon this
point would not b, delayed long, for, before
we were aware of it, there might be civil
war in Kansas.
After reviewing other parts of the Mess
age, he said he hoped that it would be UNDER
stood that on Utah affairs. Congress was
substantially unaminous-that the world
might be assured that the government Of the
United States would not suffer its fame to be
furnished, its power insulted, and the lives
of its citizens destroyed by an enemy, ex-
trenchcd though it be in the Rocky Noun
tains and under the forms of the Constitu-
ton of the United States,
Mr.. Mason of Va was free to declare that
information, for the last six months, relative
to Kansas affairs, has come from question
able sources. If he understood the Presi-
dents position, and he thought he did, it was
impregnable.
Mr. Trumbull of I'll. denied that the leg
islature of Kansas had authority to initiate
the Convention. 1t was according to a
speech. once delivered in the Ssnate by Mr..
Buchanan himself, an act of usurpation
Congress had repeatedly refused to authorize
the people of Kansas to fern State Con.
stituton. Much has been said about popular
sovereignty, but this now merely amounts
according to the great expositor Of theparty
to give the free whitp mok of Kansas thu
right to determine the coadition of few
i, negroes while they are precluded from reg
ulating their own institutions in their owl
. way.
e Mr.. Brown of Miss. said there seemed
: to be great anxiety to enter into discussion
and especially to find fault. They ha
+. heard the message imperfectly read by tn
e Clerk, and therefore could not properly un
derstand it. He asked Senators 10 pause ant
: sleep on the documents, before indulging i
T. a debate which would 60 forth to the countr
over the Geographic wires, penetrating eve
to Kansas, and giving tone to public opinio
on the premises, not yet perfectly understood
e He asked Senators to reflect before tellin
: their positions and uttering sentiments unde
l. the circumstances to which he had referred
s. On his motion, the Senate then adjourned.
The House was engaged discussing the di
n ference between the positions of two Demo
cratic candidates for Public printer.
n Dec. 8.
: SENATE.-Mr. Pugh of Ohio gave motto
IS of bill for the Improvement of the nav
l. cation of the Ohio.
: A resolution was passed inviting the Gle
}, gymen of the District to oficiate gratuitou
ID " as chaplains of the Senate
Mr.. Gwinn gave notice of his intention
r introduce bills for the construction of Nortl
10 ern, Southern and Central Pacific Railroa,
y Also of bill to organize the Territory
Arizona.
g Mr., Douglass fulfilled bis promise to gi,
&c his reasons for disagreeing with the Pres
81 dent upon the Kansas Constitution. At tt
Is close of his speech there was considerab
d sparing between the two wings of the Demo-
racy.
TO HoUsE.-In the House two proposition
We were pending from yesterday-one submits
or by Mr.. Houston of Alabama, that the Hou
On proceed to the election of Printer with
lie proviso that the House retains its right
O. modify the existing -la@.-en the subject
u Public Printing; the Printer who may
D. elected under this resolution, receiving sa
or election with and upon the condition abo,
PIT set forth; and that.a committee be appointC
ID to examine the whole subject and report SUI
e. change or improvement as they may dee
advisable. The other, by Mr.. Smith of vi
at ginia, as substitute providing for simil
Mt examination, and that the election be pos
ID poned until the committee make report.
IT. Mr.. Houston's resolution was adopted by
majority of 40.
The House then proceeded to the electic
he of Printer. Mr. Bocock nominated M
lar Steadman. Mr.. Washburn of Maine non
in mated Mr.. Geo. M. Weston. Mr.. Steadm,
lie received 121 votes Mr., Weston SO, and
ng scattering. The former was then declar
elected
IT. The members then selected their seats
nut lot Adjourned.
lte Dee TO-