Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1858-03-25

FIRST SESSION.
sESArE-MARcH IL.

The preliminary business transacted en-
brace,l nothing of Importance.
The memorial of the Legislature of Utah
was ordered to be printed.
Mr. Hale had personal explanation with
Mr.. BENJAMIN.
Mr.. BENJAMIN sail, in his speech tlic'oth-
or day, that Mr.. Hale approved Of Mr..
Toomb's bill.
Mr.. Hal, qnotel his exact words from
proved of a certain portion Of the bill.
Mr.. Benjamin said he spoke from men,
ory, and only in general terms.
Mr.. Crittcnden. of Kentucky, made n
speech on the bill for the admission of Kan
sas. He referred to the right Of the peo-
pie to govern themselves as the great prin-
ciple applicable to present circumstances.
The President. he says, has recommended.
with unusual earnestncss, the admission of
Kansas. 1t was question only of faith,
whether the Lecompton Constitution comes
with such authority aud sanction from the
people as oblges MS to recognize it as the
Constitution of Kansas; he thought it did
not, aud said the evidence of Mcssrs. Walk
er and Stanton shows it to be against the
will OF an overwhelming majority Of the
people. l
Mr.. Cri.tenden recapitulatel the state
mcnts as TO the various frauds committed
at the elections, and then examined the lc-
gality Of the Lrcompton Constitution, de-
claring that it was not the Constitution of
Kansas, but only of tn, Convention that
framed it. The vote of the l0, 900 against
it, on the 4th of January, shows that it is
not the Constitution of the people. They
tell you that it is particularly obnoxious to
them, because it is tainted with fraud. 1t
is one Of series of frauds, ins.igatcl for
the purpose of getting and keeping posses
sion of the Government of Kansas, from
the first election carried by armed invaders
from Missouri, down the present day
Hence he concluded that to impose it on
Kansas would be plain aud palpablc vio-
'ation of the right of the people to govern
themselves. -fH
But, continued Mr.. c., the Lecompton
Constitution carries on its face the evidence
of corruption. Those who framed it knew
lit contained provisions which the Free
State men could not assent to; therefore
none were allowed to vote unless sworn to
support it--Slavcry provisions and ALL
The 5000 votes shown in its favor were
put in with the view of exhibiting a suita-
bic majority; and in order not to make the
fraud too monstrous, they west inst be-
yond the line. The fraudulent intent was
apparent throughout: and how. he asked,
can gentlemen ignore the frauds, in tho face
of internal evidence and concurrent tcsti-
mony? The people of Kansas say it is
not their Constitution, and ask us to send
it back to DO submitted to vote of the
people. Can we, he asked, refuse such a
request? Can Senators turn from such
evidence to Vague technicalities and pre-
sumptions of law? They ought to look to
truth and principles. He sail he could
not put his hand to the admission of Kan
sas into the Union under the Lecompton
Constitution. a ssgf : lisi III 1en
Dir. G.. then asked--Nhat can the South
gain by the admission of Kansas under that
Constitution? No Senator believes s,c
can be slave State. The laws of climate
and geography forbid it. In support oil
this view. he quotel the sentiments of Con
gress, including those Of Mr. Kcitt. rI
MIR. Hammond-Did MIR. keitt say so!
Mr.. Crittcnden--It was so reported
Mr.. Hammopd-NIr. Keitt quoted pas
sage to that effect, but did not endorse it,
Mr.. Crittenden resumed, contending that
the majority ofthe people of Kansas should
be allowed to make such constitution as
they ple.ssed. That, he said, il. the great
American principle; that is the principle
of the South itself. He then spoke dis
cursively on various topics. He was. he
said. according to the terms now used, a
Southern DemocrAt. He had lived all his
life in Southern climate, and was ready
to defend his rights there. but in the same
iresolate spirit in which he would defend
/ his own rights, would he defend the rights
Ct Others. HsEePested that he did nqt.be-
lieve chat Kansas could bes Slave State,