The Nevada Democrat., 1858-02-10
Kansas Debate In the Senate.

lie sustained the legality OF the Lecomptoh
movement, and in the course of his remarks
said he could not foretsll what his action would
be on the question of admitting Kansas under
the Constitution. The case was not fully made
up. very large and dangerous power was in
the hands Of those who are to conduct the elec-
ton on the slavery article. They may abuse
it. If so, the result could not be recognized (;
but if the election shall be fairly conducted he
should vote for the admission of Kansas as
State, either with free or slave Constitution,
because he thought that would sottle the con-
troversies, and give peace to Kansas and
the country. If the institutions should not
suit the people, they could be altered more easi-
ly and satisfactorily with Kansas as State
than as Territory.
Mr.. Douglas replied-sayiRg he had ne fault
to find with the Senator from Pennsylvania for
making series Of attacks on his consistency,
while emitting to answer his arguments. Some
persons had presented him with the records Of
the votes of Senators on the Wilmot Provse,
and some former speeches relative to Kansas
matters He knew not whether these were true
or false; but what had they to do with the ques-
ton now presented? He did not understand
the motives for ransacking all the public records
and newspapers, and picking up every little
scrap to see what his course had been twelve
years past on the subject of slavery. Suppose
il was true that, in lS4S, he was ia favor of ex-
tending the Missouri Compromise line to the
Pacific Ocean, as recommended by Mr.. Buchan-
an in his letter preceding; and suppose 1t true
that, in 1854 he introduced bill for the repeal
of that compromise, of which the President says
he now approves? All these things are not
material to the argument. True, the issue was
whether popular sovereignty, to which the Pfes-
dent and himself were pledged, should be vio-
lated in Kansas. He thought the Senator from
Pennsylvania showed want of eandor and
fairness in quoting from his Springfield speech,
and omitting to quote what he said on the same
subject the other day, which was perfectly in
harmony with previously expressed opinions.
He thought Gov Walker was authorized to say
what he did in his inaugural address by instruc-
tions of the President and the Cabinet to de-
mand that the Constitution should DO submitted,
and unless submitted that it should be regard
ed null and void. He was not aware that Gov.
Walker had interfered in the slightest degree,
except in pursuance of these instructions.
) He never supposed that the agent was to be
denounced for obeying his Instructions and the
principal applauded for giving them. He ad-
mired the manliness of tho President in assum-
ing the responsibility TO give them and regret
ted that the President proposed, from motives
Of expedency, to accept the Constitution with
out ratification by the people, although he ad-
mits that it eught to have been submitted. Let
policy and expedienoy take care Of themselves.
He complained that the Senator from Pennsyl-
vania seemed disposed to put him in false
position The true test is, the Constitution
must be endorsed by the popular will, aud if
not, it must be rejected The only true way of
asesrtanng whether the Constitution is aecep-
table or not is to present it to the people
Mr.. Bigler explained that he did not say that
Mr.. Douglas maintained the ground that an en-
abling act was necessary in all cases; but that
he had taken the ground that it was necessary
ia the case of Kansas. The Senator has dspos-
ed of his own argument by saying that be was
not always CONSTANT, and that a wise man will
always change his views weenever he thinks
himself wrong
| Mr.. Douglas wanted to know by what authori-
ty MIR. Bgler said the Lecompton movement
was an Administration measure? The message
does not say SO. Had he any higher authority
than that?
Mr.. Blgler replied. He had made the deduc-
ton from the message and from what he knew
in addition He did not assert ia terms that it
was an Administration measure, but said the
Administration held the movement legal so far
as it had progressed. How could the President
make a recommendation prior to the result OF
the vote which he says in his message ho is
waiting for?
Mr.. Douglas repeated-He should like to
know what other sources Of Information Mr..
Bgler had, as that Senator had that much adj
vantage of him.
Mr.. Bigler was not Gt liberty to say that this
was an Administration measure, and would al
low Mr. Douglas to define what it was.
Mr.. Douglas again wanted to know what
these other sources Of information were, which
authorized Senator Biger to read him out Of
the party for not sustaining the measure.
Mr.. Bieler denied that he had said one word
about reading any man out Of the party. Did
Mr. Douglas mean to make no issue with the
Administration? When lie makes an ISSUE can
not he tell what it is?
Mr.. Deugias-The Senator did net use the
words; but he insinuated strongly 10 that effect
He seemed to be carrying out the system which
has been pursued by every pensioned letter
writer for the last few weeks, intimating that
he had deserted the Democratic party, and gone
over to the Republicans.
Mr.. Bgler-I deny any such accusation.
said the Senator's position excited momentary
| qualification on the other side of the chamber,
and regret on this
| Mr. Douglas repled-He had been denounced
by men who were willing to sink the admins
tration for the purpose Of killing of the Nor
therm men-that every press which can be con-
trelled, is thus controlled is undeniable; but
nineteen twentieths Of the independent press
those which do net depend upon the govern
ment for support-are with him in sustaining
the creed OF the Democratic party and the Gin
cinnati platform. But the few who are not al
lowed to speak for themselves, are endeavor-
ing to drive him where they could net drive
him-to desert the principles averred and main
tanned by the Democratic party. He wanted
to know whether every man is to be driven out
Of the party because he does not coincide with
the President on the questions of the Pacific
railroad and the bankrupt law as applied to
banks?
Mr. Bigler responded negatively.
Mr.. Douglas resumed-Then, II every one OF
the gentlemen around him were at liberty thus
to dissent from the President on the questions
of the bankrupt law, Pacific railroad and tariff,
was net he (Douglas) to be permitted to judge
for himself on the subject Of the LecenPten
movements? He did not understand the extra
ordinary desire to strike blow which would
either cripple him, or drive him out Of the par
fu ar nnaln fhn cnnntru hnlinra he had LEFT tho