Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-02-11
Congressional
wAsHINaToN Monday, February

AhoS 0SGAA
Its Senators and requesting the Repres
entatives in Congress from that State t.
vote against the admission of Kansas in
to the Union under the Lecompton Con
stitution.
Mr.. Seward, of N. Y, presented peti
tions from Bishop Potter and othei
clergymen, and a large number of mer
chants ofNew York, praying that school
masters be appointed for the instruc.
ton of seamen.
Mr., Douglas made several ineffectua
efforts to take up his resolution offered
on Thursday, callingfor information re-
lative to the facts attending the forma.
ton of the Lecompton Constitution.
Mr.. Seward reviewed at length the
message, saying that he was opposed tc
this attempt to force slavery upon the
people of Kansas, and he would agitate
the question as long as a single hope re-
manned that slavery might be driven
from the Territory, which was stolen
and robbed from freedom.
Messrs, Clay and Benjamin briefly
attacked Mr.. F~essenden's position, and
Mr.. Davis accused him of uttering dis
union sentiments.
Mr.. Fessenden said that he did not
recognize the authority of Mr.. Davis to
lecture him, and denied that he had at
tackled slavery in the States where it is
established, or advanced disunion senti-
ments, and remarked that he had seen
an extract from a speech made by Mr..
Davis, in which it was said that the lat
ter entered President Pierce's Cabinet
q disunion man..
Mr.. Davis replied that he was false,
and the extract of his speech was per-
verted, aud explained what he had said
that Mr.. Fessenden's course would
have the effect of Undermining the Con-
stitution.
Mr.. Wilson's proposition to send for
persons aud paper in order to examine
into all the facts relative to the adoption
of the Lecompton Constitution, was re-
iected by six majority. &
The Kansas message was then refer
red to the Comittee on Territories.
Pending the effort of Mr.. Douglas to
get up h~isresolution calling OF the Pres
ident for information on Kansas affairs,
the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.-The galleries of the House
were more thronged On the opening of
the session to day than upon any previ-
Gus occasion, including many ladies.
The Speaker announced the pending
proposition to be on seconding the de-
mand for the previous question, on the
several motions to refer the Presidents
special Kansas message.
The demand was seconded by a vote
of 10 to 105.
Mr.. Washburne, of Maine, demanded
the yeas aud nays, wishing the question
SO decided, instead of by letters.
Mr.. Barksdale, of Mississippi, said
that would be a violation of the con-
tract heretofore agreed upon.
Mr.. Washburne did not press his mo-
ton.
The main question was then ordered
to be taken, and resulted in lib yeas
I07 nays.
The result of this vote was waited for
by the members and spectators with the
greatest anxiety.
The next question was announced to
be on the motion of Mr.. Stephens, of
Georgia, to rcfer the message to the
on Territories.
The House disagreed.
On this motion the vote stood Yeas
113, nays III.
The next question to be taken was
announced to be on the motion of MIR.
Harris (of Illinois, resolution, to refer
the message to a special committee.
The question was taken and resulted
in Yeas III nays Ill.
Mr.. Harris, of Illinois, moved to re-
consider the vote and lay that motion
on the table, which was carried by a
vote of lis against Ill.
Mr.. Hughes molten to refer the
Kansas message to u select committee of
thirteen, as amended by the adoption of
Mr.. Harris substitute, was agreed to by
a vote of lis against Ill.
Mr.. .Keitt arose to a personal explain
alton, saying that the House would re-
member that its proceedings during the
session on Friday were broken in an
unpleasant hammer. 1t was due to fair
dealing that he should assume to him
self ali the responsibility for violating
its order, dignity and decorum. He
was the aggressor, and whatever respon-
sibility was properly attached to that
act belonged to him alone. 1t was also
due to justice that he should make what
ever preparation was in his power to the
dignity and decorum of the House thus
violated. He did this in an expression
of his profound regret at the occurrence.
Personal collisions are always unpleas-
ant and very seldom excusable, rarely
justifable, and never in a legislative
body. He felt in its full force the res
possibility which he had assumed in
saying that he waa the aggressor, and
that the entire responsibility properly
belonged to him. In this connection he
had but one other remark to make, and
that was, whether any blow was struck
at him or not, it was more than he could
say-at least he was unconscious of
having received it. With this explain
alton he parted from the subject.
Mr. Grow said thathe had been taught
in childhood that all fights among men
are disgraceful to human nature and to
a Christian community, and this is es-
pecially the case when they occur among
the lawmakers in the midst of their de-
liberations. Ripper years and the force
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