Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-05-01
WASHINGTON.

| ly-Dy any record. Has any person, on WHOM the
Senator from Tennessee relies ascerained the fact
Mr.. BELL, Yes sir. taI s,.,,
I Mr' TOOMBS. II was never ascertained by any
authority.
MI; BELL The Committee of Investigation of
| the House of Representatives ascertained It. ~
Mr.. TOOMBS.l do not consider their report
record but perhaps do not understand what a
Mr., BELL. Perhaps l do not know what record
s refer to all the record that could exist in such
case, and | say that this fact is stated on sworn
evidence. Will that pass for evdenceY II was tes-
nmony taken by authority Of the House of Repre-
TooSBss NJ ssmReEs q bah political parties
dence Tor the purpose-not otherwise. is+'
Mr.. BELL The clerk of the Committee of In
Yestgatlon compared the names on the census rolls
with those on the election return lists or polbooks:
and OF the twentynine hundred returned on the
census rolls in February, 1855 he could find only
| eight hundred and ninety y-eght names recorded on
the poil-books or list Of voters returned in March,
Now, the question is, where did the other five thou
sand and odd votes that polled on the 3oth of
March, 1855, come from? From over the borders
OF course, or made up by forged returns These are
cts as wen authenticated as facts of the kind could
De--not In ancient times not in the dark ages hut
IN the present day of light These facts were ascer.
talned under the supervision of joint commission
OF partisans on both sides of the question do not
desire, however, to pursue this inquiry now, for
| mean 10 resume 1t at another time. [ will merely
say here that at this election, by these means eyery
| member OF the Council and House of Representa-
yves elected, except one, was of the Pro-slayery
party. Governor Reeder set aside the election GER
uHcaes IN seveval cases, on the ground of irrepr-
arity or fraud, and elections were ordered But
In those cases where Free-State men were returned
elected the Legislature rejected their claims to sit as
members m rs and admitted those who had been set aside
| Dy the Governor. The Pro-Slavery party thus Sc
cured the whole Legislature, except one member as
| understand the history of the case m
Mr.. TO0MBS. That is true e<I a .-
| Mr. BELL The honorable Senator admits that
n np-siJ ad tf,i, \.
so py the hye thousand and odd voters in that cleo
non not found on the census returns The honora-
pie Senator IN the course of his speech appealed to
connection with either of the parties in Kansasand
asked what would be their decision upon this oues-
non: appeal to the same impartial tribunal That
Legislature Was elected chiefly by voters from Mis-
sour-by citizens who had no right by the organic
law, to mterpose in the election. 1t irregular
and unlawful in every sense of the word.
But sir, l am anticipating my argument.
thought however, that would travel out of my
course for few moments in order TO show that the
honorable Senator from Georgia was totally mis-
taken as to the facts that considered fundamental
IN coming to right understanding of this question
saw that the honorable Senator from Kentucky,
not having looked into these points as carefully
perhaps, as l had done, was utterly amazed-he
seemed to be confounded when his friend from
| Georgia gave such a totally different version and
coloring to the facts connected with the election of
| 1885, from what he had understood
The honorable Senator from Georgia has furnished
me In the course of his argument with some points
for consideration for which thank him. He tells
us IN substance, and plainly enough that il is victory
which is now to be contended for This measure
must be carried, that an issue is made up on it.
He has pronounced high and over-wrought eulogies
on the course of the distinguished gentleman now
at the head OF affairs in relation 10 this question
shall attempt TO show how far, and with what justice
they are entitled to the eloquent eulogium of the
honorable Senator from Georgia; and this / shall do
not with view OF manifesting any personal dsre-
spect TO those high functionarles. do not seek in
any thing shall say now or at any time TO detract
from the high personal character of those dstin-
guished gentlemen. ! am not sure however that
they have been the bold and undaunted men that
they ought to be in the positions which they occupy
at such time as this, in such q crisis as this and
upon such question the present fear that
they have covered and quailed before such bold men
as the Senator from Georgis and others who concur
with him as to the policy which ought 10 be pursued
in relation 10 Kansas affairs.
The Senator from Georgia, throughout his speech.
seemed TO be resolved upon victory in carrying out
all his plans connected with Kansas affairs, what
ever consequences may follow; and afraid that
the President and his Cabinet have been constrained
to espouse this measure under the positive and i'm.
perious requiston OF such gentlemen the Senator
| from Georgia.
intend, if / have time to review the Kapsas-Ne-
braska act and its consequences, respectfully to-
wards the authors of it personally that the country
may learn lesson from It, shall not undertake 10
teach the Senate tn what extremes the passions of
men may lead them, when they once get fully com
mitted TO q violent controversy on such ouestions
IL the passion for victory that carried the Kan
sas-Nebraska bill through Congress, under circum-
stances more extraordinary than ever attended the
passage Of Sny measure, important in its conse-
quenccs, through any legislative body except per-
hops, in the times Of ofrevolutonary France do not
mean TO say the gentlemen were actuatcd by bad
| principles or mischiel purposes; but Senators
and Representatives seemed TO me 10 have heen so
infamed and exaspented by the fierce collisions o
sentiment and opinions between them and their op-
ponents that their reason wss taken captive; they
became infatuated and all their energies came 10 be
concentrated upon one purpose, that Of victory II
will be well TO contrast the circumstances and re-
suits Of that measure with the circumstances attend
ing the present question: that may form soms ra.
tOna estimate Of the real value of those principles
or objects sought 10 be established accomplished
by urging this measure through Congress on the
one side and Of the evil consequences which may
follow its adoption the other. 1t is more than in
dicated it is boldly assumed, by some gentlemen.
that the rejection OF this measure will be regarded
as decision that no more slave States 10 be ad
mitted into the Union, and the consequences which
may follow such decision are pointed TO in no
equivocal language.
There is no gentleman here with whom ffer ns
to the value Of the union Of these Stat s. TO whom
do not accord honesty and patriotism Of purpose
There is simply between difference in judgment
10 the true interest of this great country the true
interest Of the South, as we'll as of the North
necied with the Union. When my attention is in
vited 10 the consideration Of the advantages and
blessings that may 70 low disunion TO the South I
shuu the subject one that is speculative only and
prematurely brought forward. That is field of in-
qury into which do not propose now 10 enter When
an Issue is made, when question does arise de.
mandiDg such inquiry as that | shall be ready 10
enter upon IT. and 10 estimate the value Of the Union
but will not anticipate the occurrence Of any such
contingency. When the North shall by any dclib.
crate act deprive the South Of any fair and lust and
equal participation in the benefits of the Union--h
for example, the Territory now proposed 10 be ad-
mtted into the Union as State had not been sub
ject 70 an nerdict Of slavery for thirty yearsf il
were Territory such as that lying west Of Arkansas
by climate adapted TO slave labor and by population
already slave Territory; and IT, on an application
OF such a Territory for admission into the o. ion as
slave State the powerful North without any of
the feelings and resentments naturally growing out
Of the repeal Of the Missouri compromise n regard
10 Kansas, should deliberately announce to the
South, you shall have more slave States that
would afford pretext with which the South might
with some reason and with some assurance of the ap-
proval Of the civilized world and Of posteri,y seek 10
dissolve the Union. | know that il is supposed by
some that the day will come when the North in the
arrogance Of its power, will furnish Just such pre-
text as j have indicated and the Senator from
Georgia and others have argued this question on the
ground that il win cUme but must see IL come be-
fore will calculate the value Of this Union trust
that day will never come. / do not believe il will
come If the South is wise and true to itself would
not have the South trucke surrender any of their
rights. would not have them Yield one iot or title
Of their rights but would have them make no
49,. IL ,,.1..