Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1858-04-16
Remarks Of Mr. Biggs,
OF NORTH CAROLINA,


In tie Senate Of the United Suites, March
Is, 1853, on the bill to aczna5t Kansas.
Mr. BIGGs. I desire to make a few re-
marks on this question, and favorable
opportunity being now offered, l avail my
self OF it.
at one time expected to participate in
the debate at large; but the subject is
exhausted by argument, and the country
is demanding and expecting prompt ac
ton. had hoped that my respected col
before this and to him | looked to express
the voice Of North Carolina Oh this excit-
ing question. But the dispensations of an
inscrutable Providence have ordered it
otherwise, as he is now confined by pro-
tracted illness at Richmond, Virginia, at
which place he was arrested on his way
here in the early part of January. He
desires me to say that he would cheerfully
vote for the admission Of Kansas under
the Lecompton constitution.
And, now, Mr.. President, what is the
state of the question A constitution is
sent to us by the President, adopted under
all the forms of law requisite to secure
and ascertain the will of the people a
constitution republican, in its forms and,
although the population Of the proposed
State is not SO large as | would desire, yet
manifest is admission Is the sarest
and most expeditions node to preserve
peace and quiet, and withdraw from the
political arena the source Of agitation and
discord which threatens a serious disrup
ton Of that bond byswhich we are linked
together as Confederacy-th Confcdera-
cy which is the hope and JOY Of the whole
earth, and Of all who cherish the love Of
liberty and the success of free institutions
by course, therefore, is a plain one. |
vote for the admission.
| I do not see how the frauds to which al
lusion has been made, can affect the ques-
ton, as now presented. Admit all that
has been charged, and deduct such votes
from the calculation, and still there is an
overwhelming legaz majority ofthe people
voting for the constitution. disclaim the
least Sympathy for any frauds, ,aess the per-
| petrators Of them. They deserve the en-
| phatic condemnation of all honest men.
! frankly confess that, from many circum-
! stances, | have misgivings whether the
| people Of Kansas are of that character from
which we may hope for an enlightened
/ self-government; but, upon the whole, it
| is evident that this measure is the only
hope Of peace. 1t is now a contest between
| law and rebellion; between the supporters
rights of all the States, and those who, in
principle and practice, are opponents of
/ the constitution.
Again it cannot be denied that the OBJ
/ lection that this constitution has not been
submitted to popular vote, is not the true
reason that influences the action Of the
Opposition. The convention that formed
this constitution was called by the voice of
the people. The convention represented
their wishes, and being thus clothed with
authority, had right to submit the result
of their labors to popular vote or not
It is we'll known that in no case in the for
nation Of new State, until the case of
Minnesota, was its constitution required to
be submitted to popular vote; but a
complete answer to this objection is that
we have no right to compel this submis-
sion. To do so, would violate the great
| doctrine of non-intervention by Congress
But to allude to the great objection
this constitution tolerates slavery. 1t has
been distinctly avowed by Senators here
by the Senator from Ohio, Mr.. WADE
and the Senator from New Hampshire
Mr.. CLARK, upon my inquiry-that, if al
other objections were removed, this is 6
sufficient objection.
Now, it will be remembered that at the
formation OF the constitution of the United
States, slavery was not only recognized
and protected in the States, but slavery
formed portion of the domestic policy o
every one Of the original States; certainly
all with one exception.
/ Now, / do not propose to discuss the mo
rality of slavery. If it is immoral, upor
us rests the responsibility. To those who
profess to be zoverrighteous it is sufficien
tO say 70 yo5r own master will You sfaIl(
OF fall. : am alluding TO the political as
pect of the question. We form the Consti
tuition of the United States, all the State