Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1858-03-25
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS
Thirty Fifth Congress-First Session

ihunicdlion iIcm TIE OecTetdTy Vi wan Std-
ting that Rock Island was no longer requlr-
ed for military purposes, and urging the
propriety of taking steps for the sale of
the property belonging to the government.
Mr.. Wilson, of Mass, said that al inform
al agreement had been made. by which the
Senator from Ga. would occupy the floor
on the Karsas bill.
Mr.. Wilson also moved that an evening
session be held, which was agreed to.
Mr.. Gwin presented resolution of in
quiry as to what slep had been taken to
punish the perpetrators of the massacre Of
one hundred and eighteen emigrants in Utah.
Mr.. Gwin said an expedition from the Pa
cite coast against Utah would pass over
the scene of the massacre, and thought ev-
cry wigwam within hundred miles should
be searched He had heard the massacre
charged directly on the Mormons. but. he
believed, without proof. He contended
that immediate action was necessary, other
wise the Indians would not leave any of the
emigrant routes unmolested.
Mr.. Houston was opposed to indiscrimin-
ate warfare on the Indians. He was will
ing to vote, if the offenders could be identi-
fed. but objected to proceeding without
inquiry, and thus provoke war and retail
iation.
Mr.. Gwin asked only that the murderars
be punished.
Mr.. Foote moved TO take up the Kansas
bill. and resigned the floor to Mr.. Toombs,
who said he argued with Mr.. Crittenden
that this was not sectional question; it in
volved the rights of fifteen States and
principle worth more to others than the
Union of those States.
Mr.. Toombs then addressed the Senate
He said he agreed with Mr.. Crttenden. that
this was not sectional question; it involv
ed the rights Of fifteen States and princi
pie worth more to the Others than the union
Of these States. The anti-slavery shibbo-
eth that there shoull BIZ no more slave
States was pressing the question On the
Senate, and the defeat of this bill would be
the triumph of these principles; it became
the S nate. therefore, to look at the princi
Piles which underlie this question. He then
examined the two clauses of the Censtitu-
ton having reference to the admission Of
new States. Hamilton, he said, foresaw
the admission Of Louisiana, and of large
portion of Mexico; the former is history
the latter will soon become SO. Texas is
already admitted, but great restriction is
imposed on this right of admission, namely.
that the State government must be republic
can in form. The only duty of Congress
is to see if the Constitution is republican;
but growing cut Of this is another duty.
namely. that new States shall be admitted
on an equality with others; Kentucky.
Tennessee. Alabama and Louisiana were
admitted without question; Missouri was
the first case in which power was claimed
to look into State Consliution-no be-
cause it was anti-iepublican, but because
it tolerated slavery; since that period north
ern Abolitionists have opposed the admis-
sion ofevery new State. Then they SOW
ed the wind, and ii the whirlwind be resp
ed they alone are responsible.
Mr.. Toombs then proceeded to argue
the right of Kansas to be admitted under
the Lecompton Constitution; contending
that ner claim was three fold. and support
ing his position by various illustrations.
He also gave the record on his bill and ex
planned its provisions, following up the va
rious points of Mr. Crittenden's speech
He argued the legality of the Lecompton
Constitution and the duty of Congress to
pass it. How could his friend, Mr.. Crit
tenden, he asked, stand on the extraordi-
nary proposition that the Lecompton Con-
stitution was fraudulent simply because
frauds occurred at the elections which had
no reference 20 the Convention which franz
ed it. Referring to Messrs. Walker and
Stanton's statement that the Constitution
was not the will of the people, he knew
nothing of the character Of these men that
elevated them beyond the credulity Of or
binary or common witnesses, and thought
them indebted TO his country in not going
furth er. He then alluded to Mr.. Critten-
den's expression of regret at the repeal of
the Missouri Compromise. saying that he,
on the contrary, rejoiced that it was torn
from the statute book. He had weighed
the value of the Union and sometimes
thought the south '.loved it not wisely but
too WE'LL" Then turning to Mr.. Critten-
den's remarks in reference to Mr.. Clay
and the Missouri Compromise, he remind
ed that Senator that but seven years ago
| the great Kentucklan stood in that cham
Der disclaiming the authorship of that
measure. E sfats .saH H'a m ?
I Mr.. Toombs concluded with an eloquent
passage in defence Of the Democratic party
and against the fanaticism of the North.
/ HOUSE.
I Mr.. Letter also introduced resolution
calling on the President to inform the
i House what members of the Esd Congress.
who voted for the Kansas Nebraska bill
were subsequently, appointed TO Office un-
der the late administration. - :. .-ai,..
Mr.. Hughes of Indiana introduced a res
olution providing for the discharge of Mr..
RI Wolcott from custody.