Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-09-30
Doltiital.
At meeting Of has constituents, at Edge
field, Septem6er2, 1853.

u
field, Septem6er2, 1858.
FELLOW. CITIZENS Il was prepared to
thank you for the demonstration of your
kindness evinced by this public entertain.
ment. But the complimentary manner of
my reception, by this large concourse of my
fellow citizens, far exceeds my expectations
and fills my bosom with emotions which l
find no adequate words to express. When
remember, too, that some who join in this
testimonial do not concur with me in all the
political views am known to entertain, that
testimonial, and your endorsement of my
course, become peculiarly gratifying as proofs
that you believe have conscientlously dis
charged my duty. was preceded as your
Representative by Robert Goodloe Harper,
VIM. Butler, John G. Calhoun, Eldred SIM
kins, George McDufie, Francis W. Pickens,
Armstead Burt and Preston S. Brooks-a
galaxy of names which would reflect lustre
on any constituency-and the last Of whom,
thoug gh youngest in years and service, had
hold on the affections of his constituents
which few have equalled and none have sur
passed. Well, then, might l feel anxious
as to my winning the appreciation of con.
stituency, whose standard was formed upon
such illustrious examples, and cold indeed
would be the heart that could be insensible
to this mark of your appreciation under such
ciroumsfonnes
The people of Kansas determined in 1856,
in favor of calling convention. Accord
ingly in June, 1857, delegates were elected.
The Black Republicans refused to vote; and
by the well-understood laws of popular elec-
tions, they were bound by the decision Of
those who did vote. The Convention as
sembled and adopted pro-slavery Constltu-
ton. The slavery clause was submitted to
popular vote, 2lst December, lS57-that
clause being the real bone of contention in
Kansas. Some of the Black Republicans
again stayed away from the polls. The Con-
stitution was therefore fairly and legally a.
dopted. Appended to the Constitution and
adopted in the same manner, but no part,
thereof, was an ordinance in which it is as
sumed that Kansas will have the right to tax
the public lands of the United States, and
in which it is proposed to surrender that
right in consideration that the United States
shall give her twenty million acres of public
lands, all salt springs, and gold and other
mines, &c. On the I'd February, 1858, the
President transmitted the Constitution to the
two Houses, with message setting forth its
mode of adoption, giving a history of the
Kansas troubles, and aoarmly recommending
the admission of Kansas under 1.-THE Le-
compton Constitution. In the meantime, on
the reading of the Presidents Message at
the opening of the session, fire was opened
on the Lecompton Constitution by Mr.. Doug
las in the Senate, and Mr.. Cox, Of Ohio, in
the House, which, after the lst January, was
steadily kept up till the lst April. On the
18th February, the Senate bill was introduced
which provided for theimmediate admission
of Kansas with the pro-slavery Lecompton
Constitution, refusing the assent of Congress
to the ordinance, but declaring the willing
ness of Congress that Kansas should have
the same grants made to Minnesota, which
are much the same as those finally rendered
in the Conference Bill. The Senate Bill
passed that body 23d March, amended by
the Objectionable Green-Pugh amendment
"a milk and water recognition of the right
of the people of Kansas to reform their gov
ernment when they please, but disclaiming
all right on the part of Congress to declare
the construction of State Constitution, &c.,
and made eudurable by these qualifications.
On 1st April, the House adopted the Crit
tendeu.Montgomery amendment, the joint
production of Mr.. Crittenden of the Senate
and Mr.. Montgomery of the House, in lieu
of the Senate Bill-the twenty-five Douglas
Democrats of the North voting for it. 1t
admits Kansas in the terms usual in the ad-
mission Of new States; but affirming that
there was not fair submission Heretofore,
provides directly for re-submission of the
Lecompton Constitution to a popular vote,
and if that shall be rejected, the people may
call Convention and form another Consti.
tuition, which the Bill requires also shall
be submitted to the people, and that this new
Constitution, without being sent to the two