Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-12-23
CONGRESSIONAL.

In THE SENATE, Yesterday, after we went to
press, MIR. Fitch continued his speech in reply
to Mr.. Douglas on the Kansas question, saying
that whatever the result of the Kansas election
of the 2lst might be, whether in favor of slavery
in Kansas or against 1t, his course would be the
same; and he therefore desired to announce in
advance his purpose to vote for the admission of
Kansas into the Union under the Iecompton
Constitution, il il should be ascertained that the
election with reference to the slavery article''
had been fairly conducted. This was the only
course left for him in view Of the Territorial le-
gislation of 1884. The repeal of the Missouri
compromise had rendered the question of slavery
in the Territories subject to the popular will, In
the same manner as all other domestic institu-
tiOns. This was the main design Of that repeal
and prior to that period, the people had acted
upon their constitutions either immed lately or
through their delegates, it followed that the peo-
pie Of Kansas Were free to choose either mode
with reference to the other domestic institutions
they might adopt. Slavery being tho only point
of dispute in the repeal of the nj issOuri compro-
mise, 1t resulted that the Convention of Kansas
had fully met the requirements of the Kansas
organic act in providing for the submission Of
that question to the popular vote.
To require the submission of constitution to
the popular vote, AZ a condition precedent to its
acceptance by Congress, was new, and certainly
not sustained by the past history of the country.
He was therefore prepared to sustain the Presi-
dents policy with reference to Kansas; and &,
though he assumed no right to read any man out
Of the Democratic party, he might be permitted
embarrassed the action of that party were in dan
yer of placing themselves beyond it's pale, and
with what prospect Of reward could be read in
the history Of those who had previously under
taken similar task, from the dav of Burr to Van
Buren,. The Democratic party the last
link of the Union, and they who endangered its
stability endangered the existence Of the CoDfed
Grafton itself.
The speaker then proceeded to deDounce with
much energy the conduct Of the Topeka fac
tonists, y whose evident object, he Thought, was
tl,o,r
olutionary proceedings I'm Kansas. For himself,
he hoped Congress would refuse to truckle to this
rebellious and reasonable faction. He desired
to this slavery agitation from the halls Of
the National Legislature and tn loCaize it with
in the boundaries of Kansas. which, when ad
United into the Union, would be left to settle her
difficulties without any possible intervention on
the part Of the Federal Government. 1t is true
he would have preferred that the whole Consti-
tuition should have been submitted to the people;
but at the same time he recognised the ght of
the Convention to withhold ii. He could no
other course for Congress to adopt than to admit
Kansas as d State with whatever Constitution she
may appear The only questions to be asked
were, first, is the Constitution republican in form,
Second, did IL proceed from legal source, and
was it formed In legal manner? To guide his
own mind in arriving at a correct conclusion he
had to choose between the counsel OF the Presi-
dent, an old and patriotic man. without politi-
cal future to make, and that of the Senator from
Illinois, who was Young and ambitious though
the latter trait implied nothing dishonorable. He
preferred to follow the advice Of the President.
After a brief reply from Mr.. Douglas, and a
short conversational debate, In which Messrs.
Fitch: Douglas and Clay partici pated, the Senate
adjourned.
In THE HOUSE, the debate on the Treasury-note
bill Of the Senate was continued in Committee Of
the Whole on the state Of the Union, by Messrs.
Grow, Smith Of Va, E. Joy Morris, J. G. Jones
of Pa, Quitman, Warren, Banks and Barksdale-
all spea king to amendments. .
The committee then rose, and the bill was
passed by the House without amendment-yeas
liz, nays eS.
The Senate's joint resolution to ad jOurn over
from to-day to the 4th of January next was then
taken up, on motion of Mr.. Washburne, of Ill i,
and passed-yeas 81, nays sc.
Al p. III. the House adjourned for the day.