The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-03-25
STATE OF THINGS IN CONGRESS.

boas: of little efficient support. In the case of
Commodore Pauding, it would have scarcely
been sustained but for the cooperation OF the
Republicans. Its policy in relation to a per-
manent increase of the army utterly failed in
the Senate, and last week was voted down in
the House, Mr.. Faulkner's amendments, en-
bodying the views of the Cabinet, receiving
only forty-seven out of two hundred and thirty
four votes. Its great measure, the admission
of Kansas under the Lecompton Constitution,
struggles against an opposition for which it
was unprepsred. Four months have gone by
since the opening of the session, and last
Tuesday, for the first time, the Senate began
to vote upon the question.
The debate on the subject has been marked
By great ability and spirit, especially on the
part of the Opposition, who have rested their
case on Justice and the fundamental Principles
of Republican institutions, while the Admins
tration Senators have relied chiefly upon tech
ncalities and special pleading. The efforts
that attracted most attention last week were
those of Mr.. Crittenden of Kentucky and Mr..
Bell Of Tennessee. Southern men, long trusted
and honored by their section, they gave noble
utterance to the conscience of the South against
the great Iniquity. Their denuncistion of the
Fraud and Oppression to which the People of
Kansas have been subjected was eloquent and
unqualified, and they declared their uncompro-
missing opposition to the recognition of the Le-
compton Constitution, as thing not fit to be
couutensnced by honorable men of any section.
Mr.. Toombs deplored the position of Mr.. Crit
tsnden, and said that for himself he considered
the Union myth, and he had already calculated
its value. Mr.. Ben rebuked Indignantly his dis
union sentiments, and admonished him that the
South was not prepared to make an issue of I'M
ion or disunionupon this question. The speeches
Of Bell and Crittenden, with the demonstrations
ofWise, Walker, and Stanton, all leading South
ern men, show that opposition to the Lecompton
Constitution is far from being sectional. The
only wonder is, that honorable men anywhere
can look upon it without adherence. How can
Southern men, with spark of chivslric senti-
msnt, bear to take advantage of such a series
of frauds as have eDgendered that Constitution
In the House, on every preliminary movement
affecting the measure, the Administration has
suffered defeat-frst, on the appointment of a
select committee of fifteen to investigate the
transactions attending the formation of the
Constitution then, Oh the attempt of the ma
ioriy of tie committee (which had been con-
sri.uted By the Speaker 80 as to thwart the will
Of those who had voted it) to get in one-sided
report; then on the motion to Icy on the table
the spocal Of Mr. Harris from the decision of
the Speaker On question OF privilege; and
faally On the motion of Mr.. Stephens, of Geor.
gia. 70 refer to the Committee on Territories
the bill concerning the admission of Kansas, in.
troduced by Mr.. Montgomery. In all these
cases, the Administration has been defeated
in no instance has it shown itself in maj ority.
Even in the Senate, when it attempted by an
act Of bind despoiisn to crush out" the mi
no1ity, and abridge the rights of discussion, it
was met by so determined spirit of resistance,
that il was compelled to retreat, and accept the
terms of conducting and closing the debate pre-
yiously offered By the Republican Senators.
No wonder that the Opposition in the House
should become firm and more confident every
day. 1t is composed of Republicans, Douglas
Democrats, and Southern Americans, and
numbers, it is claimed, one hundred and TWEEN.
ty-one votes, or eight majority in a full House.
The one point of sympathy between them is,
hostility to the recognition of the Lecompton
Constitution. VIII they continue to cooperate
in this case, till they have overthrown the
common enemy? Will they forget or postpone
their controversies on other questions? They
must do so, or this foul measure will pass The
Republicans oppose it, because it is the cres-
ture Of fraud and oppression--because it is a
violation of the right of selfgovernment - be.
cause it has been conceived and urged as q
ProSlavery measure: the Douglas Democrats
oppose it, chiefly for the first two reasons: the
South Americans oppose it, because it is a
fraud and an oppression, and, while dishonoring
the South, will add neither to its wealth nor
power. IF they continue to cooperate, the LIE
compton Constitution cannot be recognised
Will they do so?
John Calhoun has issued card in the
Washington Star, announcing that, having
been satisfied of the fraud practiced at the
Delaware Crossing, certificates of election will
be given to the Free State candidates, thus &c.
curing the Legislature to the Free State Party
Ia there any Douglas Democrat who will be
satisfied with this? How in relation to the
State oficers-to the Governor, who will have q
veto on the acts the Legislature7 But, sup
pose the election of the entire Free State
ticket be declared, will that cure the fraud
which gave birth to the Constitution, or har
monize it with Popular Sovereignty or the
right of selfgovernment? Will that justify
him in forcing upon an unwilling People, q
Constitution which they have already voted
down?
AS to Southern Americans, they fear thai
their position may ifsh,ect them to miscon
sFucton at home. Mr.Kennedy, in the Sen
sc, cannot think of voting with Black Repub
means! And pray, did not Mr.. Toombs and
Ar. Hale work together most cordially for the
oeieat ct the army bill? Did not conservative
southern members act with Republicans in the
case OF Commodore Paulding? Mr.. Kennedy
0oo'hern American, is afraid to vote against 9
MEASURE, which, it is confessed, will be of nc
pacAca' benefit to the South, because Repab
means oppose it? Does be forget that he il
acucg with Dix and Van Buren,, conspicuoul
Il f'ee-Soilers in l848, and still in favor of Fres
i Aansas? Southern Americans are stickler,
/ 'oF the purity of the elective franchise: de
i INDICATORS of fraud at the ballot-box. Wher,
j are the frauds to equal those of Oxford, Kicka