Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-12-24

ehnrsoap alorninn, Defsmber 24, 1852.
SPEECH OF
HON. S. A. DOUGLAS,
In the Senate, Dec. 9, 1857.

u
In the Senate, Dec. 9, 1857.
On motion of Mr.. DOUGLAS. the Senate resumed the
consideration OF the motion made by him Yesterday TO
print the Presidents message and accompanying docu-
neas, with fifteen thousand extra copies
Mr.. DOUGLAS. Mr. President, when
Yesterday the Presidents message was read at
the Clerks desk, heard it but imperfectly,
and was of the impression that the President
Of the United States had approved and en-
dorsed the action of the Lecompton convention
in Kansas Under that impression felt it
nv duty to state that, while | concurred in the
general views OF the message, yet, so far as it
approved or endorsed the action Of that con-
vention, entirely diSsented from it, and would
avail myself of all early opportunity to state
ms reasons for my dissent. Upon a more
careful aud critical examination of the mes
sage, am rejoiced TO find that the PreSi-
dent cf The United States has not recommends
cd that Congress shall pass law TO receive
Kansas into the Union under the constitution
formed at Leeompton. 1t is true that the
tone Of the message indicates Il willingness on
the part cf the President 10 Sigu any bill that
Congress may pass, if we shall see proper 10
pass one receiving Kansas into the Union un-
der that constitution. Bat, sir, il is a fact of
great significance, ana worthy of consideration,
taat the President has refraiaed from any in
d0rsement Of the conl euticn and from any
recommendation as to the course Congress
should pursue with regard to the constitution
there formed
The message of the President has made an
argument-an unauswerable argument in my
opniOn--agaHSt that constitution, which shows
clearly, whether intended 10 arrive at that re-
suit or not, that, consistently with his views
and his principles, he cannot accept that con-
sttutiOu. He he has expressed his deep NOR
tdcatlcn aud disappointment that the constl-
tuition itself has not been submitted 10 the
people of Kansas for their acceptance or rejec-
ton He Informs us that he has unqualified
Is expressed his opinions on that subject in his
Instructions to Governor Walker, assuming, as
nmatter OF course that the constitution was
- be Submitted to the people before it could
hsve anv vitality or validity lie goes fur
tAer, and tells us that the example set by Con
grcS> In the Minnesota case, by inserting 4
cause IN the enabling act requiring tue con
s.ru,ioa ID be submitted 10 the people. ought
70 become uniform rule, not to be departed
from hereafter in any case. On these various
propositions | agree entirely with the PreSi-
Gen: Of The United States and am prepared
LON 10 sustain that uniform rule which he asks
Is % pursue, in all other cases, by taking the
Minnesota provision rs our example
rejoice, on q careful peruSal of the mes
sage, u find 50 much less to dissent from than
! was under the impression there was f:om
tle Aa>ty reading aud the imperfect hearing Of
tie message in the first Instance j. effect
b, refers the document to the Congress Of the
United Slatrs-aS the Constitution of the
C2.,ea States refers it-for US TO decide upon
/: Gaier our responsibility Ii is proper that
he should have thus referred it 10 Us rs Il mat
=, for Congressional action. and not as an
ADMINISTRATION or Executive measure, for the
-easoa that the Constitution of the United
>4;es says that " Congress may admit new
II States Into the Uuio1' Hence we find the
haaSa> question before uS how, not as an ad-
1.a.>,ra'IoH measure. but rs a measure coming
before Us as for cur free action, withau, any
,7ronmeHdatsou or interference directly or H-
i-ctay, Ly thP AiminSt-at on row in pos
ssS>o8 Of the Federal Government. Sir, |
g''n5>e - examine this question calmly and
&-r'y n see whether or not We can properly
receive Kansas into the Union with the con
s~.a';on formed al Lecompiou.
TIE President after expressing his regret
~ modification aad disappointment. that
:2e constitution had not been submitted 10 the
?.'g.e in Pursuance Of his Instructions n Gov,
NAas: and in pursuance Of Governor Walk-
IS assurances TO the people. says however,
"a oy The Kansas Nebraska act the slavery
VI .'7s.2a only was required TO be referred 10
nj ~s people aud the remain3e- OF the coustitu-
III .:2 vas not thus required % be Submitted
-e Acknowledges that, rs q gene-al rule, on
Aa;al principles, the whole Coastijato
Il E.Nl.l be submitted bat according 10 his un-
-=.s,-1.i.a- OF the organic act of kAaSa>, there
'-> -2 Imperative Obligation 10 submit the
MI >A'e-F question: for their approval or diSAp-
VI ''Eai bat no bhration - submit the entire
-'->: ;a;.on, In othe, words, he regards the
Iaa, ac., the Nebraska b.,i. as having made
exception o. the slavery clause. aid proy.d-
# . 'e. tie disposition OF that question in q
& -'!= c.teceut from tha, in which other DO
# So o. local, rs contraiiS;in-nished from
'7lerai Questions. should be decided Sir,
S'2' ne TO saw with profound respect for
- President of the United States, that cor
we that on this point he he has committed
'aaiameatal error. an error whJch lies at the
M Sf issc NhVtC Va AliaS
~"s' | can well understand bow that dis.
q she'd statesman came to fall into this err
lie vas not in the ccnnlry at the time
X Nro7aSka bill was passed he was not n
~'s 10 the controversy. and the discussion
' 'ooS place dariag its passage He was
- repTeseHting the honor and the dignity
'~e country with great wisdom aud Ciistinc-
- NJ foreign ceart Tins deeply easroSs-
Is Whole energies were absorbed in con
T.-s s great diplomatic questions that d
M a a's attention from the mere territorial
~ 'o's aud discussions then going on in
senate and the House of Representa-