Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-01-26

question, fhat they sse iRformsd o. the subject
That il 90 sir but wig did not the gentleman sct on
that principle, when he introduced his resolutions
"a the subject Of the federal constitution? Again
SIR why did he not thus act when he introduced his
resolutions instrueting our Congressman on the sub
ect Of pensions for the soldiers Of the war Of 1927
If their enlightened discretion was sufficient in
instance, was it not in the other? What then, has
changed the esprit Of his dream, unless he wishes
to rebuke and condemn the administration Of Mr.
Buchanan. -~ .@.-
MrsTJOHN. In what respect have opposed the
administration.
Mr. WILLIAMS. If Understand the gentleman's
speech be opposes the resolution which is intended
as an endorsement Of the administration, it is moth
ing more-nothing less than an endorsement Of the
executive policy-embOdies, IS l understand It, the
true democratic principle
Mr.. ST JOHN. Does the gentleman from Hick-
man approve Of all the features Of the LeeomPton
Constitution?
MIR. WILLIAMS. The LecomptOn Constitutional
Convention was composed Of delegates fairly elected
by the people, and assembled in lawful manner,
formed constitution and voted to submit the slaV-
cry clause to the people Of the territory, which was
accor hngly done and the people voted the slavery
clause in it, and now offer it oCOngress and ask adj
mission under it and say, sir, Congress Oughtto do
it. 1t is not a matter for TO say whether | like
it or not nor has Congress the righti and, as the
gentleman from Cannon IS entirely Ignorant on the
object. Now, sir, this being, in my opinion, the
proper view Of the case, the resolution is well timel
and proper. Il shows a disposition our part TO
stand BY our representative as well the admin
istrarOn, on this subject.
Mr.. ST SOHN took the floor again.
Mr.. R0WLES made the point that the gentleman
had already spoken twice out
Mr.. ST JOHN proceeded under special leave Of
the House. He demanded the yeas aud nays on the
adoption of the Committees resolutions in lieu
Mr. DAVIDSON. Not the Committees resolutions,
bat the resolutions submitted by four members Of
the Committee
The yeas and nays being ordered and taken, re-
sulted--yess 80, nays 81, as follow:
Ysas-AIessrs. Bate, Bayless, Bentley, Blackburn,
Bradford, Carter Of Hardin, Copeland, Cantreil,
Dobson, Dunlap Estes, Cannon, Griffith Hamilton,
johnson, King Low, Maris, Mickey, Newman, Ro-
berts, Rose RoWles, Sehmittou. Smartt Thompson,
Turner Of ROane, Turner Of Sumner, Williams,
Wilson, Wood, and Speaker Donelson-32.
NauS.-Messrs. Algee, Anderson, Beale, Benton,
Bicknell Brazelton, Bullock, Caldwell, Carter Of
| Carter, Cooper, Davidson, Davie, Dodson, Ewing,
Golladay, Harvey Holmes, lvie, kendrick, Keeney,
Lackey, Lloyd, Nancy, NeWburn, Randolph, ROul-
ston, RehshaW, Richardson, st, John, Senter,
Shrewsbury, Stanton, Stovall, Saunders, White Of
Hamilton, White of Knox, and Yaughn--37.
Mr. HARVEY, explained his vote and said
Mr. Speaker: Although l very much dislike to
differ with the majority of my party, neverthe
reasons Tor pursuing this course are these: under
stand these resolutions sir as endorsing the views
expressed by President Buchanan, in his message
with relation TO the Kansas question. So far will
60 cheerfully any Democrat upon this floor,
for believe the general views contained in that pa
per with regard to this subject, sound and cor
rect, and have full confidence in the Presidents
determination to settle this matter upon the basis Of
the Kansas act. But sir from the remaining pOr-
ton Of these resolutions must dissent They pro-
pose to Instruct our Senators and Representatives
in Congress to vote for the admission Of Kansas I'M
der the LccomptOn constitution, SIR, according to
my Interpretation of the power Of Congress to re-
jeot receive Territory applying with cOnstitu
ton, for admission into the Union, the members Of
that body have the right and are in duty bound to
ascertain whether the constitution Of the Territory
50 applying be republican in its character, and
whether or not in its formation and adoption there
was fair expression Of the popular will. Now,
sir, it is the duty, repeat, Of our Senator's and Rep
resentatives to n4ire into this LecOmptOn cOnsti
tuton and if il IS found TO contain anti republican
features, or if has been frauduently adopted they
have the power, and they ought to reject 1t. But
what do we propose to do by these resolutions? To
tie up the hands Of our Senators and Representa-
tives by insructng and requesting them to vote for
the Lecompton constitution; when, dare say, not
a single member upon this floor has ever seen that
instrument, and when we have no testimony, what
ever, by which to decide whether it fairly or
IrauQulenlly formed. or AOlu IhaI OuI hePre-
sentatives in Congress- are far better qualified to
determine these points than / an; and therefore
shall vote in the negative.
So, the committees resolutions we're rejected, and
the question required the adoption of Nr Folks
resolutions
Mr. RICHARDSON now submitted the minority
resolution in lieu, which was again read
lr NEWMAN moved to lay the subject on the
tables but withdrew the motion at the request Of r
Rowles and others.
Jlr DAVIDSON called for the reading of the
preamble--the minority report.
Hr WHITE of Knox. That was not before the
House
Hr DAVIDSON. It was the basis of the resOlu-
tons; but before the reading could be had
The SPEAKER lat the hour of y, NJ ordered
the recess till , o'clock, P. IT,