Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-04-01
Progress of Leccmpton in Congress.

Progress of Leccmpton in Congress.
The only amendment of any apparent
Importance to the Lecompton bill adopt
ed in the Senate previous to the pas
sage of the bill in the following
''That nothing in this Act shall be
constructed to abri,ige or infringe any
right of the people asserted in the Con-
stitution Of Kansas, at all times, to alter,
reform or abolish their form of govern
ment in such manner az they may think
proper. Congress hereby diselaiming
amy authority to intervene or declare
the construction of the Constitution of
any State, except to see that it is Re-
publican in form and not in conflict with
the Constitution Of the United States.
This amendment amounts to merely
nothing. 1t is only confession that
the Lecolnpton Constitution is repug-
nant to the people oftKansas; hence
this amendment is attached, as sort Of
quoting application 1t was doubtless
| intended as kind of deceptive ex-
preston of Congress, that the people
have the right to change the Lecomp-
ton instrument at pleasure. Congress
have no more authority to interfere or
declare how the people of a State, may
change, alter or amend their constitu-
ton, than have given number of loaf
erS in bar-room, to do the same thing.
Suppose Congress should by enactment
declare, that the people of Wisconsin
may change their constitution by an
other method, than that defined in the
instrument itself? What force would
such declaration possess? Simply
none at all. So Of the people of Kan
sas: if the Lecompton constitution is
forced upon them, and they submit to
accept it, then it can lawfully be amend
ed in no other manner, than that ex.
pressed in the constitution itself. This
is common sense, and so the best legal
authority regards it. The only safety
for the people of Kansas Is, to treat the
Lecompton Constitution as avoid, pro-
yided it shall be passed through both
houses Of Congress.
That there has been a fixed determi-
nation on the part of the friends of the
Administration, to force the Lecomp-
ton Swindle upon Kansas, regardless of
the popular will, has been apparent du-
ring the procedure. Before the bill
was put on its final passage in the Sem
ate, Mr.. Crittenden of Kentucky, made
last effort to do justice to the people
of Kansas by moving a substitute, in
substance, that the Constitution be sub
mitted to fair vote of the people and
if approved by them, then the Presi-
dent Of the United States to admit
Kansas by proclamation; but if the con-
stitution should be rejecsed, then the
people to call convention and frame a
constitution.
The substi tutc of Senator Critten.
| den was voted down "a to 81.
The following are the yeas and nays
on the final passage of Lecompton in
the Senate. Future historians of the
country, will have something to say OF
some of these Senator's:
Ycas-Biggs, Bigler, Bright, Brown,
Clay, Evans, Fitzpatrick, Fitch, Green,
Gwm. Hammond, Henderson, Houston,
Hunter, jackson, Jones, Johnson, Tenn,
Johnson, Ark; Kennedy, Mallory, Ma
SON, Pcarce, Polk, Sebastian, Slidell,
Thompson, Ky; Thompson, New Jer-
sey; Toonbs, Wright Yulee.
Nays-Bell, Broderick, Clark, Col
lamer, Chandler, Crittenden, Dixon,
Doollttle, Douglas, Durkee, Fessenden,
Foote, Foster, Hale, IIamlin, Harlan,
King, Pugh, Seward, Simmons, Stuart,
Sumner, Trumbell, Wade, Wilson.
Absentees-Bates, Cameron, Davis,
Reed.
Mr. Cameron paired off with Mr.
| Davis