Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-01-01
CONGRESSIONAL.


tion directing the Committee on Territories
to inquire into the cxpediency of expeling
Bernhisel, Delegate from Utah.
SENATE.-Mr. Stuart said it was we'll re-
marked by Attorney General Butler, in the
Arkansas case, that the power of Congress
upon the subject of admission of new States
in plenary. When the question is present
cd it must necessarily be determined by the
circumstances which surrounded and govern
ed that particular case. 1t power which
authorizes the admission of foreign States,
rs well as those formed out of our own do
minion, and this single statement would
show at a glance that prccedents never
could and never ought to be regarded for
the purpose Of determining tho power or
propricty in a particular case. Congress,
and Congress alone, understood the power
conferred npon it by the Constitution and
is to determine not only the question whoth-
er the State shall be admitted at all, but is
equally empowered with authority to deter
mine how it shall be admitted Enabling
acts were not to be regarded as indispensa-
bly, necessary to the admission of new States.
He proceeded 10 lay those principles to the
case under consideration. The questions to
be asked were whether the foreign govern
ment was Republican, and whether the peo-
pie were satisfied with it and asked admis-
sion under it; for the power of Congress
was to admit State, not coerce it. He
contended that half the people of Kansas
had had no opportunity to vote for the cleo
ton of Delegates to the Convention, as in
some counties no census had been taken.-
How could they be expected to abide by its
decision, when their voice had not been
heard! He also believed that the Conven-
ton intended a trick and fraud upon the
people, and expressed views in accordance
with those which Mr.. Douglas had prcvi-
ously submitted. He would never give his
vote to consummate that fraud, which he
believed was the most enormous that was
ever undertaken to be practiced upon the
people under the forms of law. He believ-
ed that if this Constitution was forced upon
the people Of Kansas, those who did it
would light the torch of civil discord through
out the Union. They might cry "peace,
peace" but there is no peace.
Mr.. Broderick said while he agreed with
Messrs. Douglas and Stuart in most of their
remarks, there was one point on which he
wished to say few words. When Gov.
Walker and Secretary Stanton went to Kan
sas, they found state of insurrecton exis-
ting there, and succeeded with great labor
in restoring peace. Now he thought the
President and Cabinet were alone response
bic for the late outbreaks. This was the
first time he had known the President to
descend from his high position to attempt
to coerce peaceable citizens to the will OF
illegal party menl He was sorry to disa-
gree with his party, for he believed he had
rendered as much service in the election of
MIR. Buchanan as any gentleman on the floor.
He was also somewhat astonished at the
forbearance of the people of Kansas towards
the Delegates to the Convention. If the
people had hogged them, cut their ears off,
and sent them out of the Territory, he for
one would have applauded them for it. He
would not make any extended remards now,
but if the Lecompton Constitution should
ever be presented to the Senate, he might
have something to say about it then. He
would remark that he was no Free Soiler
In his own State his most bitter opponents
were Republicans.
During a conversational debate, in order
to show the opposition 10 the Free Soil
movements, Mr.. Broderick alluded TO the
fact that some years since, at Convention
of the Democrats of New York, of which
Messrs. Doolittle and Preston King were
members, the proposition was made that il
one wing of the party should consent to the
passage of resolution endorsing the Will.
4 mot proviso, they might have all the offices
but he refused to enter into any such agree
ment.
Mr.. Doolittle said it was true, that he
was in the convention, and the Democratic
party then were divided on that issue. So
far as he was concerned, though such reso.
lutions were submitted no proposition ever
came from him directly or indirectly, that
in consideration Of the passage of the reso-
lutions, the offices should be bestowed or
the other side.
Mr.. Broderick said it was Mr.. King who
made the proposition to him.
!, Mr.. King remarked that he had no spec
ial recollection of such a conversation. He
had always considered there could be nc
other motive on the part of the citizens re.
siding in free States to oppose such resolu.
tions, than the hope of obtaining offices.
Mr.. Broderick replied if his wing of the
party were anxious to obtain offices, they
would not agree to the passage of resolu-
tons for that object
Mr.. King remarked that such conventions
were so frequent that although he did moi
recollect this particular one, he did no,
question the accuracy of Mr. Broderick's
statement.
Mr.. Doolittle said at the time the Wilmot
proviso was before the Senate it was expec-
ted it would pass. Mr. Clay wrote a letter
to that effect, and Mr.. Cass expressed his
anxiety again and again to be permitted to
record his vote in its favor. II however
failed, because jeff. Davis talked out the
last hours of that Congress in order to OBJ
tain the nomination of the Democratic par
ty for President, the southern delegates be-
ing instructed to oppose any man not on
record against tho Wilmot proyiso. Mr..
CaSs wrote the Nicholson letter.
Mr.. Brown gave notice that he would ex-
press his views after the holidays, but would
say now that if the late election in Kansas
was fair one, as he hoped it was, in which
all parties had been allowed freely and