Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-12-10
CONGRESSIONAL.


Sousress-ftrSt session.
In THE SENATE yesterday, after we went to
press, Mr.. Douglas continued his speech upon the
Kansas portion Of the Message, arguing that the
President was in error in iutiratine that IN sub.
uniting merely the slavery question to popular
Note, the Lecompton Convention had virtually
carried out the principle of the Kansas Nebraska
net He attributed the error Into which he con-
eeived the President had fallen to the fact Of his
absence from the country in its diplomatic ser
vice, when that act was passed The Presidents
alleged error he held to be very grave and i'm
portant one; insomuch as, IL IL was necessary in
the fulflment of the law to submit the slavery
question:, it was equally necessary to submit TO
the people every portion Of the instrument. He
held that 1t could not be recognized as the Con-
situation of the people Of Kansas until that had
been done, and they had approved It by formal
vote.
The reason assigned for the failure Of the Con-
venton to submit the whole instrument-that by
so doing they would have insured its defeat-he
held to be lame and impotent one; and, in
deed, to embrace valid reason for its rejection
by Congress. Thus, it confessed the fact that 1t
was not acceptable to the Inhabitants Of the Ter
rtory. 80 co..
He argued that the freedom of election had
been outraged in the course of the I.ecompten
Convention, which had accorded to Kansas only
such freedom of election as existed in France
when Louis Napoleon had been chosen President
of that country. He conceived that the Conven-
ton had deliberately sought to force on Kansas
an obnoxious Constitution, and declared his pur-
pose to be to oppose to the end the triumph Of
their purpose
At the conclusion of his remarks. Mr.. Douglas
was cheered by the Republican party on the
floor and in the galleries.
Mr. Mason moved that the galleries be cleared
but at the suggestion of Senators subsequently
withdrew that motion.
Mr.. Bigler replied briefly toMr. d. Regretting
AZ much as that gentleman did, that the whole
Constitution had not been submitted to a popular
vote, he could not overlook the advantages to the
country to be secured by its acceptance sent to
Il 81 At.
on the subject 1t was patriotic to place the best
rather than the worst construction on the action
Of the Convention The circumstances surround
ing Kansas were peculiar Personal observation
had satisfied him that large portion of the voters
there were prepared to vote down the best con-
stitution conceivable, If not made by the Topeka
Conventions which fact accounted for the failure
of the Convention to submit the whole instru-
ment to a popular vote. He conceived Congress
to be estopped from going behind the Conven-
tons work, by the Democratic principle Of non
intervention on the part of the Federal Govern
ment in the domestic affairs of the Territories.
As II was clear that no practical wrong could
suit from admitting Kansas on this Constitution,
Congress should admit her promptly, and thus
give peace to her and the country. High consid
erations OF public policy made that course neces-
sary.
After some further .colloquial remarks from
others, the subject was post poned until Monday
next-hlr. Green having the floor.
In THE House, the pending resolutions of Mr.
Houston were adopted, and they proceeded to
elect Printer by uira vote-Mr. Bocock
having nominated Jas. d. Steadman, of Ohio
and Mr.. Washburn, Of Maine, Geo. NJ. Weston,
Of the District of Columbia. --..
The following is the result OF the vot,
FOR Mr.. Steadman ...............-...... III
Mr.. weston. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 50
Messrs. Gales Seaton. ............ 3
Mr.. Robert OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
MIR. Steadman having been declared the Prn-
ter.
They next drew for their seats
Shortly afterwards they adjourned