Smyrna times., 1857-12-17
Kansas in the u. S. Senate.

kansas in the U. S. Senate.
The first thing done in Congress-, after or
ganzing, was a reproduction of the everlast.
ing Kansas question, set in motion by the origi.
nator and supporter of the notorious Act"
s!ngularly enough, in opposition to the Admin
istraton. Public mind, however, was some-
what prepared for it by the events of the past
several weeks, in observing the course taken
by the Chicago Times, douglas organ }
I9edseland PLaindealer, of Ohio, Forney's
%resS, OF Philadelphia, and several other lead.
ing papers, besides the avowed sentiments of
douglas, Gov. Walker, John w. Forney, and
others, head and front of the party. Messrs.
Walker, Douglas and Forney have been de-
nounced in unmeasured terms, and read out of
the party by caucus of southern members, for
daring to hold an opinion adversely to that Of
the Administration. Douglas g. Co. maintain
that they have the true democratic spirit of the |
Nebraska Act, while the friends of the Presi-
dent "stick TO it" that they are radically
wrong. To us, the bone of contention seems
mighty little, and barren Of meat at that, for
such growing and showing of teeth. The
TINS: Ought the whole Of the Kansas Le-
compton Constitution be submitted to the peo-
pie Tor ratification, or simply the clause in rela-
ton to slavery!" Douglas, &C., say the peo-
pie should vote on the whole constitution,-the
Administration says it is not neceSSarv and
this simple difference alone is the rock on
which they have split On the reading of the
message, Mr.. Douglas arose in his place and l.
announced that he concurred with the Presi- :
dent IN everything that portion in regad to :
Kansas and on the following day he made .
set speech. IN which he took position directly r
opposed 10 tne President in his MESA ore INV =
this time well known to our readers). The >,
Senator denies that the Nebraska bill made onv :
distinct on between the question of slavery and -
inc other domestic institutions ola State. lie ..
says that Mr.. Buchanan m:sa pprehended the :
true meaning of the organic act under which
Aansas and Nebraska were erected into terri l.,
'or'eS' lie dISsents strongly from the asscr- =,
ton ot the President that domestic institu.
tlons" has any especial and exclusive refer.
ence to slavery; and declares that it extends 81
10 institutions concerning all the relations of Ja
llte, and marks whatever belongs to State row. ,;
ernment and regulations opposed to federal
control. The President believes the slavery M
question to be fairly submitted to the people of to-
Kansas by the Lecompton schedule. Senator
Douglas scouts the opinion, and SAYS that the Il;
question is not fully submitted nor submitted da
III such form that man conscientiously op. Isl
posed to slavery can vote at all. No matter on
which side he votes, he is compelled to vote for in
q constitution which makes distinct provision w
for slavery.
Mr.. Douglas considers all the proceeding
with the Lecompton Convention in yo
lIrect violation of the principle of non-inter- on
'ention embodied in the Nebraska act, and int
adopted into the Cincinnati platform. In be 81
lalf OF the doctrine Of non Intervention. the pre-
Missouri restriction was repealed, and trusting bic
o 1t for success the democracy went into the ING
Presidential election. ess
The Senator was replied to by Mr.. Bigler. fro
u Pa, IN defence of the President taking the lite
'round that the Convention which formed the cOu
constitution, whether elected by majority of pla
ne people or not, was legal and Constitutions the
body, and that it was proper for Congress to joy
ecognIze the Constitution whether it had been
ubmltled to the People or not. He contended i
hat the President preferred that vote of the the
'eoPle should have been had OH the Constitu. pOu
on, but that after all, that was matter solely hea
'r the Convention to decide. wal
Hon. Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, is pre- "Ol
arIng reply TO Mr.. Douglas, and we may ex-
ect warm times this week in Congress.