The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-04-06
But, sir, there other features 10 which wish Il
call attention. The inst CLAUSE reads as follows

IA ali sts
whatsoever bot nasrnc Il is greatly dn,ed whether
siu'n framed at eoompio The lh day d November
now pending before Congress, was f,rly maden &c,
1t is question whether the constitution was faly
n,a What is the dcducious II must be that in some
way or other the obligation rests upon Congress to know
that the constitution is oriy made that fraud and yio
ence shall not prevail Now, sir da mol carr 10 ais
debate that QUESTION of fact al present Whatever
might have been held heretofore under the former pol
icy OF the government cannot how those who sub
scribe To the doctrine that the people should be left per-
iecuy Tree TO form and regulate their institutions in
their own way, investigate this question Of fairness
and form Is il maintained that we sanction the cons
tuition by voting for the admission That is not MY udcr
standing The government which the people scld hero
we must take on reject do not speak of mere mat
ers OF form, but the vital features OF the government
These cannot touch Is 1t otherwise held anywhere
have not heard senator allege that by voting for the
admission of Kansas, no necessarily sanctioned The
sttutoh, rice uersa fp
Now, sir, the point which wish to make n this II
Congress has right to touch the work of the people
Kansas sthe government which they have sent here
what does It concern that inquire how that work
was done Here Is proposition simply to inquire how
it was done conceing that have power the
production itself Not only that but while this coi-
stuton is 70 be sent back on the assumption that it
was not fairly made what is proposed in aditiony Why
sir in case this constitution be voted down. the people
OF Kansas are authorized TO elect delegates TO constitute
new convention; they arc to vote that constiti
ton and then, il II DO adopted they become State by
Disqualification of the President. si
Wncfc Is the guarantee that that
be made fairly Where is the protection against fraud
in that process Who superviscs that action? If it Is the
duty of Congress- in the of the Lecompton consti
tuition, to that it is fairly made 1t is the duty of
Congress in every other case If it is the duty of Con-
gress to inquire whether this constitution has been fairly
made 1t is equal obligation not to gtge the opportus
nifty OF making any constitution unfairly Here is
proposition to allow the people to make government,
put in operation and admit it into tho Union without
Its ever making its appearance before Congress ut all
do not understand how alleged frauds in this place
be claimed reasons for returning this constitution, if
we at the same time authorize the making of STATE
without any guataiteb whatever to ho.e that power
may be abused without any protection against fraud
violence, and tistIpation- H ff w8
Then, Sir, there is another point and that is the
taordnary proposition which makes the President of the
United States perform functions which the constitution
in express words vests in Congrss do not speak
as TO the government of Kansas that is before that
we have seen; that constitution have read that Con-
gress knows to be republican; that we may certain
conditions, allow the President to announce admitted,
and hold that the State is in the Union but it is TO the
other alternative the right To make constitution and
State government and put in operation and put into
the Union by proclamation of the President WITHOUT
ever having it before Congress at all that object Who
knows that it will be republican government Who
guaranty that it will be admissible in orm And if
republican, may not contain other features making it
entirely unacceptable? Sir l have not that of
confidence in the men who would he likely to get hold
of this government in Kansas just now. Who is satisfied
that Gen Lane would exercise power with moderation
Who believes that he controlled convention he would
not indulge the Of his feelings Of prejudice against
the southern Sfatesi
sif should not be surprised if constitution made in
that way would cpancipate the slaves that are in the
Territory and colifsate the properly value IN them
should not be surprised IT constitution made in that
way without consulting Congress- should attempt to in
erdict enibairass the execution Of the figtvcslave
law, would set up other issues with the federal author
iy; and yet whilst Congress might not seriously enter
tain the idea Of admitting such State the President
I, t.,,sl
will notice that it gives the President discretion The
duty is Imperative ON him When the facts properly
certified he must announce that the State is in the Union
no matter how Objectionable the constitution may be-
Here il State making with vengeance Any
of fraud may be practced; any extent of violence
and nsurpation in making the constitution; and no
matter how badly made and yet the State must in
The proposition is monstrous.
Now sir, the subject matter of the bill is suggestive
IL presents wide field for discussion do not intend TO
pursue ii this morning; but could not persuade myself
TO vote quietly on this question know that there
certain very nsidious features about this ca
tures which be used with great effect before the pop
ulace 1t may be alleged that we have voted against
bill which to give the people the right,to vote
their constitution. That would he true to some extent ;
but answer that hold still more liberal doctrine to-
wards the people of Kansas hold that they make
constitution in any way they please making it accord
ing TO law and In regular form would give to the pco
pie OF Kansas that measure of right which those whom
represent here exercised; they made constitution twice
that constitution through the agency Of popular ti
cation 1t competent for the people OF Kansas to do
the same thing and If those in Kansas who claim TO be
adverse to this slavery article who object most to this
constitution had exercised their high prerogatve B
men, probably should hvc had excitement this
occasion But sir, they did not perform the duty In
june when they might have decided the question of sla
very by cecting delegates, they would not vote the
bogus laws wero in their way In October, when the
question of slavery not involved but when offices
were at stake, they did vote In December following
when they had direct vote the question of making
Kansas free slave State they could not vote it
would not do to recognise the bogus laws and the bo
gus convention But few days afterwards when it was
question of gaining the local Offices they rushed to
the polls and elected the officers under what they termed
the 'Lecompon swindlc" There il the source of the
trouble and this issue stands the most that those
the other side make out of 1t would be taking their
ground issue between those who, through the
forms Of law had abused to extent the right of
suffrage and those who had set themselves up against
the of that right who had preferred other means
who had not exercised the high functions of frcemen u
der our laws and under policy of government They
avowed that determination, and they adhered to it.
There may have been fraud and there may have been
usurpation to some extent, the one hand The best
that be said for the other that it presented ma
tured persistent and supenous insubornation TO tho
laws not rebellion to the Which of these
alternatives shall take shall not, for my part
cast vote that will give those who have stood
out pcrsistcnty against the laws,
1t may he said and it is said that this constitution is
not agreeable to the majority of the people Well sir
have searched in vain in the complicated history Of
legislation this subject for the instance in which that
question distinctly raised and discussed where it
was claimed duty the part of Congress To know
that majority of the peope were for the form gov
crnment which they sent up to Congress No such case
.,,x, ..Ie