The Washington union., 1858-03-26
THE ADMISSION OF KANSAS.
SPEECH OF HON. s. A. SMITH,
OF TENNESSEE

bill which il now under consideration and vet / feel JUS
tined in doing because the prominent topic of discus
sion in this House and before the country is one of so
much Importance, nught with such conseq uonces to
the Unon that any member of this House justified in
departing from the subject under consideration 10 Law be-
fore the country his views to make whatever argu
inent he may which may have bearing or an influence
upon the public mind upon this House. in reference
to the admission into this Union of the State of Kansas
with all the rights and privileges of the original States of
the conitderacy.
For the last few years important events have pecpi
ted themselves in such rapid succession upon Congress
and the country that the statesman and patriot are lost
rs III were, IN bewiierment, contemplating the
qutnces OF the settlement of these questions which
before US as the representatives OF the people This is an
important one, because it involves the conclusion of the
agitation, which commenced in 1920 against the domos
tic institutions of half of the States of this Union
The first serious agitation which occurred in this country
in reference to the question Of slavery in 1920 and
from that time until the present In form or other
1t has been fruitful theme for politicians statesmen
demagogues and those who disposed to ntiame the
public mind that they might live for time at least in
the public estimation. 1T used for those excitemens
infanmatoy in their character and injurious to the in
teress of the country, which these might create in
the minds OF their constituents and thus enable them To
hold on to power which Is one of the leading and con-
trolling motives of those who have the merit to come
here upon political creed right in itself and lust to
every section OF the Union, do not whether the
disturbance comes from the North the South say
sir that there is spirit of revolution abroad in the land
which, if not checked, may day result in nau-
guratng the train Of circumstances referred by the
gentleman from Illinois, [Mr. HARRIS Ia train Of cir
cumstanoes which would destroy the arest fabric of
government upon Garth Ii If much the slavery
question it is not much the right of southern men
to hold negroes servants it is that spirit OF
luton which am prepared to show the people of Kansas
are not responsible for, relieve them sir from the re-
sponsibiity which prepared to show rests upon the
representatives OF the people This is government OF
law and order and unless maintained upon such pn
c'ples cannot he maintained at all. am dsnionist
wish not to talk about disunon yet sir if the idea
shall abroad that the dissolution the Union is an
impossbility it only those who would create revo
luton with additional incentive To commit aggrsions
upon the rights of those who may be weaker who may
he In the minority to commit aggressions upon the
rights of sections Of this Union either South OF North
East or West, which would bring about dissolution of
the Union. do not wish, sir, TO the measure of
which we have heard much forced through under a
threat OF dsunion. make such threat I have not
the power to make any such threats. tell gentlemen
all sides Of this House that the day shall ever
when this Union shall be dissolved it must not be
done by me, not by Congress but by the net of the
States whose servants Ii that time shall ever
comcwhich Heaven forbid i shall be the last man to
leave my post upon the hoor of the House of Repre-
senatives If the time shall comc-which do not look
Tor that any portion of the representatives from the
North or the South shall deem it proper to leave this
hall say for one, that shall consider it my highest
duty to remain here, until recalled by the people of nv
State and prevent those who here from doing harm
TO the country.
But, Mr.. Chairman | do not look to these oon,e
quenccs 1t is true sir, that when lose our equality
IN this Union when that is gone, when the general gov
eminent becomes the oppessor of the States there then
can be no Union because the very fact Of union implies
equality among all the members thereof A general gov
ernment was formed and perfect union WAS formed
or pubic safety and public defence aud public Justice
and when IT shall cease to accomplish those ends and
becomes the oppressor of amy section of this Union or
any State of this Union then the Union itself Mt
an end by its operation and by the action the fed
erai government hope never to see that time
do not believe il has been and, without predc-
ton to what may occur without indicating what course
shall pursue in reference to the future Kansas shall
be shall not be admitted under the Lccompton cousti
tuition content myself with acting upon the principle
of the immortal bard who
Sees wha, bcre, what may yet hcfi,l
Concludes from both and best provides for all ~
Sufficient then unto the day the evil thereof" With
out going into discussion OF what may do what my
State may do what she ought to do under the circn
stances shall address myself to the question which
have selected for discussion to-day and thats the aims
sion of Kansas under the Lecompton constitution
The Grst question which arises here is, have we the
power to admit Kansas into the Union the second is do
the people of Kansas desire to be incorporated State
and the third, ought we in view of all the circumstances
aud all the facts, to admit her sovereign State of this
Union /!
/ do not wish to indulge here in remarks which
reflect upon the representatives Of any section of the
country. may, perhaps, have more 10 make at homc
by making an nfammatory speech here, narrowing up
imaginary wrongs which have been done my section
the Union Those which have been done heretofore are
10 great extent, imaginary but if the admission of
Kansas shall he refused they then will become real,
far this question is concerned If Kansas shall be
fused TO them it will not be because her constitution toll
crates slavery it will not be because it prohibits slavery;
II will not be because the constitutional convention did
not submit the whole constitution TO the people nay
sir will il lie because large minority OF the citizens
refused TO participate in making this constitution If
Kansas bc refused admission into this Union il will he
account of that revolutionary spirit which oyerdcs
all law, all constitutions, which. before remarked,
started in this House Immediately after the passage
of the Kansas Nebraska bill do not intend here en-
ter ntoa discussion of that do not intend to
consrue it. II construes itself But before entering
upon that, attempting to speak in reference 10 its opera
ton upon the people of the Territory far adthorz
ing them TO form State constitution, 90 behind
that and find enabling act IL gentlemen desire IT,
have stated heretofore that doubt the power of Con-
grcss TO pass an enabling act and original ques-
on, should unhesitangIy vote against any such prop
ositon The constitution OF the United States provides
that Congress may admit States into the Union
with all the rights and privileges of the original States
That the only word in the constitution in reference
the admission Of States into this Union Congress
has power to create, power to alter their consu
ton has no power to authorize them to make consu
ton, because that must proceed FROM the people them
selves, and be the representation OF the sovereign will
| need not enlarge upon this, because, as before
stated there is enabling act for the formation Of
State government for the Territory of Kansas dated
terror TO the passage of the Kansas Nebraska bill
know, sir that some who heretofore belonged TO the
democratic party OF opinion that there ought to have
been al, enabling act such the distinguished senator
ir,m Illinois, mr. DouaLAsl but at the same time nd
mt at an enabling act not necessary to the formation
OF constitution Upon examination find that the treaty