The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-02-03

act, according to the fair construction of its
provisions.
Douglas said he should reserve any reply
| which he might have to make to what his
colleague had said relative to the Nebraska
| bill until a future occasion. He should at
| all times hold himself ready to indicate the
principles OF that bill from all assaults, no
matter from what quarter they might come.
| He would not now 90 into an argument rela-
tive to the questions raised by the Message.
His opinions had been clearly expressed on
ali these matters on previous occasions. He
| thought the better course would be TO refer
the Message at once to the Committee on
Territories. where ali the disputed questions
of tact could be examined before il should
come before the Senate for action. Hoping
that course would be adopted, he asked leave
to present remOnstrance signed by certain
gentlemen as Governor and state officers of
Kansas. protesting against tie reception of
that State into the Union under the Lecomp-
ton Constitution which he moved be referred
to the Committee on Territories and printed.
Too,nbs said that but for the character of
the assault which Trumbull thought proper
to make on the Message he would be content
10 let it 60 TO the country and vlndlcate itself,
but such ID been the nature of that assault
that he felt it to be his duty to take an OPP
portunity to express his hearty cooperation
at the same time 10 express his graft 6cation
at the signal ability and power with which
the great principle lying at the bottom of
that policy had been presented to the atten-
ton OF the people by the Chief Magistrate.
who recommends the admission OF Kansas
under the Constitution which the President
transmitted. Upon the point that Kansas
shall be admitted into the Union us State
all the people Of the Territory, of both par
ties and both Houses, were agreed. A large
portion of the people of Kansas, said to be a
majority by the Republicans, nearly three
years ago formed an instrument, known as
the Topeka Constitution, and asked admis-
sion into the Union under it. Then there
could be no objection on the gre ind that the
inhabitants of Kansas did not desire a State
government; but while the Topeka move
ment was without sanction Of the law the
Lecoinpton Convention met pursuant to an
act of the Territorial Legislature, embracing
the will of the people. Vhe Lecompton
Constitution was clothed with legality. while
the Topeka Constitution was made in def
ance OF law.
Senate adjourned.
The following is the concluding portion of
the Presidents Message: Every patriot in the
country had INDUCED hope that the Kansas
Nebraska act would put an end to the slavery
agitation, at least in Congress, which had for
more than twenty years conyulsed the coun-
try and endangered the Union. This act in
volved great and fundamental principles, and
if carried fairly into effect will settle the
question. Should agitation be again re-
yiyed; should the people of sister States be
again estrangcd from each other with more
than their former bitterness, this will arise
from causes. so far a. the interests of Kansas
are concerned, more triAing and insignificant
than has ever stirred the elements of IA great
people into commotion. To the people of
Kansas the only practical admission or rejec-
ton depends SIMPLY upon the fact whether
they can Themselves more speedily change
the present Constitution it il does not accord
with the will OF the majority, or frame "a see
ond Constitution 20 BE- submitted to Congress
hereafter. Even this was Il question of mere
eXpedency and not of right The small diff
ference in tine, The one way or the other, is
not OF the least importance, when contrastcd
with events which must necessarily result to
the whole country from the revival CT the
slavery agitation. In considering this ques-
ton 1t should never be forgotten that in pro-
portion 10 It's insignifcancy, let the decis-
ion BE- what it may, so far Us il may affect d
few Thousand inhabitants of Kansas, who
have from the beginning resisted the Consti-
tuition and laws, for this very reason the re-
lection Of the Constitution will be so much
more deeply felt by the people OF fourteen
States OF the Union where slavery is recoe-
missed under the Constitution. Again the
speedy admission of Kansas into the Union
would restore peace and quiet to the whole
country. Already the affairs of the Territory
engross an undue proportion of public atten-
ton. They have sadly affected the friendly
relations of the people OF tie States with one
another, and alarmed the fears of patriots for
the safety Of the Union. Kansas once adj
United, the excitement becomes localized, and
will soon die away for the want of outside
aliment; then every difficulty can be settled
by the ballotboN, and then we should lie
enabled to withdraw the troops from Kansas
and employ them in service where they are
much needed. Thy have been kept there
on the earnest importantly of Gov. Walker
10 maintain the existence of the Territorial
government, and TO secure the execution of
the law. He considered at least 1000 regu-
lar troops under the command Of Harvey
had been engaged, to some degree, to inter
fere with the expedition to Utah in order to
keep down rebellion in Kansas and have in
VOWED u very heavy expenses to the govern
mcnt. Kansas once admitted. IL is believed
therewill no longer be occasion there for troops
OF the United States.
lave thus performed my duty in this
important question under deep sense o: my
responsibility to the country. Ny public life
may terminate within brief period, and !
have no other object of earthly ambition
than to leave my country in a peaceful and
prosperous condition, and to live in the af-
fections and respect of my countrymen.-
Dark and ominous clouds now impending
over the Union, | conscientiOuly believe will
be dissipated with honor to every portion Of
it by the ndmi. sion OF Kansas during the
present session OF Congress, whereas if it
| Should be rejected, greatly fear these clouds
| will grow more dark and more omlnous than
ever yet threatened the Constitution ard the
Union. JAMES BUCHANAN.