American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-06-10

Mr.. Presidem:-I wish, with as little
consumption Of the time of the Senate as
possible, TO sat forth the reasons which,
upon the fullest consideration that l have
had the opportunity of giving to this sub
ject, constrain me to vote against this re.
port. In some respects. undoubtedly, the
amendment proposed by the committee of
conference meets my cordial concurrence.
l was opposed to the admission Of Kansas
upon the basis of the Lecompton Constitu-
lion. because l thought that instrument
not only did not express the will Of the
people Of Kansas, but was against their
known will and wishes: and moreover |
thought it hal been made by fraud and
political trickery. opposed, therefore,
the enforcement Of that constitution upon
the people of Kansas. That was the main
point of controversy then. Gentleman on
the other side regarded it as being present.
ed in all the forms OF law, and said that
those forms Of law through which THU
question had passed in the Territory o
Kansas. precluded us from any examina-
ton beyond them. l supposed that forms
were only intended 10 promote and ascer
tain the truth-not tlat they confined ant
crushed the truth, and precluded all exam
alton into it.
l was opposed to enforcing this instru
ment upon the people against their will
and stained, as | supposed, with fraud
Other gentlemen took different views 0
the case, and insisted upon its prompt ant
o,nJ;nia ndo and lha ohooluta Il
mission Of the S;ote into the Union upol
it. The committee of conference. in the
consideration Of the subject, have changed
the views which were entertained by III,
Senate at the time. and have now agreed
to abandon the Lecompton Constitution
so far at least as to submit it to the peopl
of Kansas now for their affirmation. So ia
we are agreed.
But. sir, in making that submission L
the people, certain consequences are at
tached to it, which think, are an unjust
an improper circumference upon the fre
right Of the people to choose their inslItu
tions for themselves. In the bill substitu
ted by the House Of Representatives in th
place Of the Senate's Till, there was a fai
submission Of the Lecomptou conslitutio
provided for, and the people were told, :
you affirm this, very well; choose as 20
please; and If you choose to reject th
constitution, as not satisfactory to you,
Convention Of the people Of the Territor
shall be Immediately called to make sue
Constitution g is satisfactory; and upo
that constitution being made, and upon
reference oft to the people, if they sha
affirm what the Convention has done, Il
President OF the United States, being mac
acquainted with the fact, shall announce
by proclamation. and thereafter the Sta
shall be considered as one OF the Union.
That is the bill which the Senate HI
voted against. The committee of Confe
ence, abandoning, as l say, the enforc
ment Of the Lecompton Constitution as
absolute one, and the admission of 4
State Is an absolute admission, come
our ground, so far as to agree that that i
strument shall be submitted to the peop
The committe of Conference say it sh
be submitted to the people; but how su
mittedg In tho fair, open, unenoumber
manner that it was to be by the bill OF {
House Of Representatives? No sir.
have said that this new amendme
proposes the Submission Of the Constit
ton. / am substantially correct in Il
statement. Literally, however, it is bu'
- submission Of certain grants Of land viii
) have been habitually made by Congre
upon the formation and, admission Of nj
Stat4s--grants for school purposes, grs
for new university, grants for estahll
ing seat Of government 1t subm
these grants. and the condition upon whI
they are made, to wit, that the State
ceptipg them shall not he at liberty to