The Kanzas news., 1858-02-27
The Congressional Fight.

The Republican papers everywhere speak
in high praise of Grow and the Republic
ans generally for their gallant conduct on
the occasion of Keitt's assault upon the for
mer in the House of Representatives. The
Chicago Tribune says
GA little explanation of the causes which
led to the night session, and Indirectly to
the outbreak, may not be unacceptable to
our readers. The Presidents Message, on
Friday afternoon, being under consideration,
Mr.. Harris, of Illinois, moved its reference
to select committee of fifteen to be ap-
pointed by the Speaker. with instructions TO
inquire into all the facts connected with the
formation of the said Constitution, and all
laws under which the same originated, and
into all the facts which have transpired since
the formation of the Constitution, and wheth-
er it is satisfactory to the legal voters of the
Territory-the Committee to have power to
send for persons and papers, This was the
bone of contention and from our despatch
es already published, we infer that the Re-
publicans and anti-Lecompton Democrats
cooperating, were determined to make fight
on this resolution and secure its adoption, to
prevent if possible, the reference of the Mes
sage to the Committee on Territories. This
latter committee is most unfortunately con-
stituted. 1t has six Lecomptonites and
three Republicans-Growo of Pennsylvania,
Granger of New York and Knapp of Mas
sachusetts. In a committee so made up,
with no power to send for persons and pa
pers, the iniquity would be speedily gloss
ed over and reported back with a recon-
mendation that at pass. The Republicans
demanded a. fair shake--a thorough ex-
position of the great crine-a probing of
the ulcer to the bottom-that the country
might be fully informed of the extent and nat
ure of the outrage to be hereafter perpetrated.
We understand, privately, that it is the in
tention of our friends there to have this Sc
lect Committee fairly constituted-to give
the Speaker the opportunity to name it but
to reserve in their hands the right to undo
his work if it be not fairly done, and elect
by ballot. It was this suspected intention
and the desire of the usurpers to gain time
for the Strengthening of their shaking mem
bers from the North, that led them into the
fillibustering for defeating what was the OBJ
noxious will of the House. It may be sup
posed that contest entered into under such
circumstances would become very exciting,
and that during its continuance, frequent
displays OF plantation etiquette would be
made.
We have no tears to shed over what has
occurred. Under ike provocation. We trust
that the Republicans will repeat the lesson
which they taught their opponents ON Sat
urday morning. Without display of firm
ness and courage, they viii ba bullied and
badgered as they always have been hereto
fore. Yielding invites aggression, and fire.
quent compiiance provokes insoienee. They
have but to let it be understood, that the
war is not to be all on one side--that; blow
will be returned for blow-that blood viii
be demanded for blood-and Congress vii
again become what it ought always to have
been-apeaceable place Of debate, in which
any member may, in a proper and decorous
way. speak out his conyietieHss without be
ing compelled to hang his life upon ths
meaning of his words -