The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-04-22
WASHINGTON, D. C.
THURSDAY, APRIL %, 1863.
THE coHx1rTxE OF coHTxRzHcx.

Tho Conference Committee has already had
several sessions, and thus far Tuesday, to no
purpose. There is at present no prospect of
engagement between the Senate and the House,
not, We think, because the Administration would
not willingly consent to a genuine compromise,
but because such q compromise cannot be sue
cessful, and if it must be defeated, it may as
well have the reputation Of abiding steadfastly
by the original Senate bill as not. Doubtless,
Mr.. Buchanan and Mr.. Bigler, and majority
Of the Lecomptonites in both Houses, would
welcome . compromise, if it could glide easily
through Congress. But there is the difficulty.
The Anti.Lscompton Democrats, including the
four who voted for the Conference Committee,
insist upon submission of the Lecompton Con
stitu!ion to the people of Kansas, for rei6easion
or rejection The Fire Eaters, on the other
hand, stand ready to bolt at once, If Che Senate
bill is amended in this fashion to suit the Con-
science Democrats. The Lecompton Americans,
toc-6ve in number-will vote against any
such bill, rendering its passage exceedingly
doubtful. If the Committee were, through the
lukewarmness of Mr.. English, to consent to a
slight modification of the Senate bill, q mere
matter of words, intended as an excuse for
treachery upon the part of three or four Anti
Lecompton Democrats, still the passage Of the
measure would be involved in great doubt.
Three or four of the most radical of the Fire.
Eaters declare that they will not sustain any
amendment of the Senate BILL and the Lecomp.
ton Americans cannot be reckoned on to sup
port the amended bill, to please an Administra-
ton which they oppose. This is the predica-
ment in which the Administration finds itself,
and we think, sad as it is, nobody will expend
any sympathy upon it. We trust it viii be
forced to try Lecompton pure and simple, or
nothing, in the House. This is the issue long
ago presented, and let Mr.. Buchanan fall or tri.
umph upon it.
Mr.. English, at the time of the present wri-
ting, remains firm against any compromise
which falls short of reference of Lecompton
to the people of Kansas. He consents to no
juggle of words, but demands the realty. Let
him stand firm, and the country will honor him ;
let him quail in his position of responsibility,
and dishonor must attach itself to his reputa
ton. But We will not for moment doubt his
integrity.
The House having repeatedly, and in the
most solemn manner, committed itself to the
great principles of the Crittenden amendment,
it cannot retreat. No man of the Anti Lecomp
ton ranks can nos0 desert without the ruin of
reputation and character, for no one of these
men can claim that he has not seen the terrible
injustice of forcing Constitution upon Kan
sas which they detest.
P. S.-We learn, as we 60 to press, that Mr..
English has caved in to the Administrator,
and a compromise has been agreed upon by
TIA lAIaA,5H RRRsArask isw hours since butthefe is
a rumor now, that after agreeing upon the
terms of the compromise, the Lecompton wing
are hating, because of the obstinscy of certain
Southern members, who refuse to vote for any
modification of the Senate bill. 1t is under.
stood that the bill does not refer the Lecompton
Constitution to the people, but refers q land or.
dinance or grant to them. If they refuse the
grant, they remain out of the Union till the
next census is taken, and they have sufficient
ratio of population. Then they must come in,
if at all, under Lecompton, and are bribed and
threatened to do so by Mr.. English's bill.