Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-02-25

fcU. 10.
SENArE.-Mr. Green from the Committee
on Territories, reported bill for the admiss-
ion of Kansas.
Messrs Douglas and Colamer seyeraliy pre-
sented minority reports.
THE KANSAS REPORT IN THE SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is. The report, made
to-day by Mr.. Green, from the Senate Com
mlttee on Territories, recites at length the
events that have occurred in Kansas, and as
serts that the majority of the people may,
simply, as in ancient days, assemble in mass
meeting, and make a Constitution; Or they
may elect Representatives to make one for
them or elect Representatives to draft one.
to be submitted to them for their approval or
rejection. The last method has been the most
approved during the past few years, though
formerly the second method was very general
ly resorted to. In calling the Convention
for this case, it was conceded to have been
strictly legal; as was also the election of
delegates. Was it>not logical to infer that
the Convention so legally called, and so le-
gally elected and clothed with authority to
make Constitution, can no moro be inter-
fered with by the Governor, Judge or Legis-
lature, either to Increase or diminish its pow
or, or to alter. modify, or nulify its acts,
than the people could be interfered with, had
they assembled en- m0SSe, instead of by their
Representatives?
In conclusion, the Committee say that the
aboitionsts in Kansas had thus tar sought
power by methods unknown to the law, and
by acts of violence, and not through the
peaceful agency Of the ballot box. Unless
Congress will do for them what they assert
they are not anxious to do for themselves.
but which they wilIully refuse to do, they
threaten to plunge tho country III irretrieva-
BILE war
The bill recites that the people of Kansas
have framed for themselves constitution and
State government. Republican in form, and
that the Lecompton Convention has, in their
name and behalf asked Congress to admit
her. Therefore, it is declared that Kansas
be admitted into the Union on an equal foot
ing with the original States in all respects
whatever
| Mr.. Douglas, in his report, dissents from
the views Of the majority for the reason that
there is no satisfactory evidence that the
Constitution framed at Lecompton is the act
and deed of the people of Kansas, or embod-
les their will. He knows that the Conven-
ton was not clothed with competant power
to establish the Constitution, without the as
: sent Of Congress, which has been expressly
withheld in the case. That the only lawful
election held on the adoption of the Consti-
t tuition was that on the 4th of January last
which was in obedience to the law passed by
the Territorial Legislature established by
Congress with full legislative power on all
rightful subjects within the Territory
Messrs. ,Collamer and Wade submitted
their views: They say that the territorial
government of Kansas was never organized
as provided for in the organic act that is
' by its own people, but was usurped by for
eign force, and conquered and subdued by
arms, and that the minority was installed il
e power, which has ever since been sustained
l.. by the general government, instead of being
h examined into and corrected. This has be- I
;, done to establish and perpetuate slavery
: The Lecompton Constitution is the result o
u those proceedings and contrary to the will
of the great majority Of the people, legal,
n expressed; and for Congress, in its discretion
to consumate this protractcd atrocity, and es
pecially for such purpose, it is violation
of the fundamental principles of republican
/. government and can produce no permanen
n peace or satisfastion to the people in the Ter
ritory.
In the late Territorial election they hav
d reclaimed their rights, and the Territorial go
eminent is, for the first lime, now moving
peaceably in its legislative sphere of promis
+ ed freedom. The Lccompton Constitution
y and its adoption, was connected and executed
to supercede and triumph over justice. T
4 admit it by Congress, is but to give success t.
fraud and encouragement to iniquity, and t
turn over that people, not to an election fair
y and legally conducted, but to such Stat
officers and legislators as Gen Calhoun shall
hereafter proclaim, and on such contngenc,
" as he shall determine; and his long, mysteri
e Gus, and inexcusable indecision and reserv
y but encourage expectations in both parties
i one of which is certainly doomed to disar
pointment.
The reports were all ordered to be printed
Mr.. Green gave notice that he should ca
q up the matter at an earl day.
r The Army bill was taken up, and tn
+ fourth section of the original bill stricken on
= by a vote of "a to %.
e Mr.. Wilson offered an amendment to tn
effect that reduction at the end of two yeai
1t shall not operate on any officer at the date {
h approval af this act which was adopted.
Mr.. Hamlin of Maine submitted motto
that in no case shall the force created by TIL
y act continue in service over two years whic
IS was agreed to. Adjourned.
HoUsE.-Mr. Shorter of Ala, spoke on th
Kansas question, and said that all the South
ern States were now united on the Georgi
e. Platform, and were pledged to resist, even I
in a dissolution of the Union, the refusal
re Congress to admit Kansas because of the e,
n stence of slavery there. He cared NJ
whether this was constitutional, or revolution
r airy, or right. The South were prepared
al defend it. He contended that the Lecompte
Constitution was legally adopted, and was r
~ publican in form. Congress has not the pc,
of er to remand Kansas to Territorial cond
OF ton she being an independent sovereign Sta
by consent of Congress, outside of the Unto
O. Adjourned.
ly Feb. 10.
to SENArE.-The Senate was engaged on tt
~ Private Calendar for some time.
RS The Army bill was then taken up.
Adjourned till Tuesday.
e. HoUsE.-Mr. Hoard of New York, as
Id question of privilege, sent up to the Speaker
IL desk letter from Mr. Burns Of Ohio,
yn manhar of tha unuao addro,oo1 10 hin,