The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-03-30
CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE.

stltutlon, were splrlteu. we give "a sAeCcn VI TIC
debate below:
Mr. Bayard, dem, of Delaware, proceeded to de-
monstrate by reference to numerous legal authori
ties that the Lecompton Constitution was passed
with all due formality that the majority in Kan
sas were bound by the vote of the minority, in as
much as they are held to assent to what they could
have avoided if they chose. He had heard there
were no frauds in the vote as to whether or not
Kansas should be admitted. The alleged frauds
were at a subsequent Legislative election. Con-
gress, he contended, had nothing to do with that.
Arguing TO the question of submission, he thought
it would have been better to have submitted the
question to the people, but that submission was
not necessary to It's validity.
Mr. Broderick spoke at length on the subject
Of free and slave labor in reply to the speech OF
the Senator from South Carolina. He (Broderick)
was a laborer and the son of laborer, and had
only to look around that Chamber for evidence
Of his fathers handiwork. He arranged himself
against the Lecompton Constitution, he said,
because he believed that all the allegations OF
frauds against that instrument had been fully
proved. These frauds known to the Presi-
dent, and yet he keeps in Office the hen who
committed the frauds He hoped the historian
of these times would attribute the attempt to force
this to the petuence, falling intellect and
trembling dotage of an old man tottering the
verge Of the grave.
1he Senate here took recess until CLOCK
EVENING SESSION.
Mr. Douglas upon entering the chamber was
received with loud and enthusiastic applause
which he deprecated by shaking his head and
making gestures to stop. There was not one
foot of vacant in the galleries. and the report
ers overrun by invading border ruffans
All the seats on the floor were occupied and
the windows near the roof were filled The
spectators gallery nearly all filled by ladies,
most of whom remained over recess at 4 O'Clock,
and continued through the whole sitting until IL.
On motion Of Mr. Gwin, the ladies admit
ted to the floor, and i'll few minutes it was crowd
ed with them.
Mr. Douglas said ! know not that my strength
is sufficient to enable to protract my remarks on
the bill under consideration. l trust | may be
pardoncd for briefly referring to my course on the
slavery question.
Referring to the Missouri Compromise line,
Mr. Douglas stated that when in Congress at the
time it was proposed to admit Texas, he ex-
amined into the question Of that geographical
line, and although unable to justify it, yet he
unwilling to awaken hcartburnings and the slavery
agitation. Hence in the proposition to admit he
cordially acQuesced TO the insertion Of clause
with the avowed purpose of extending the line to
the Pacific
When New Mexico was acquired, the Senate
adopted his motion, proposition to extend
the line to the Pacific Ocean. The record of his
vote was here read by the Clerk. This propo-
sition was adopted by twelve majority, hut the
House struck out the amendment by 50 majority,
hence that proposal to define slavery by geo.
graphical line to the Pacific was abandoned by
Congress.
He would not discuss now whether that course
was wise or unwse he would leave it to history
Most of the Southern men, he said voted fer the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise-most of the
Northern against it.
1t was argued that if slavery was unjust, i'm
polite and iDjudicious north Of that line, it was
SO south of it. The argument difficult to
answer. In fact, the onl y answer that could be
given was that the line had its origin in patriotic
motive, and for the sake of peace harmony and
concord ought to be adhered to- For that reason
he felt much as any man when its repeal plung-
ed the country into an agitation that caused the
wisest and purcst patriots in the country to trem-
Bile for its existence
We all remember, said he, the agitations of
1913 and 1854 when the Sage of Ashland was
called from his retirement to add the weight of
his experience to the councils of the country and
with the assistance of Daniel Webster, General
Cass and other patriots formed compromise,
and restored peace to the country again. Had
that Missouri line been extended to the Pacific
slavery agitation would have been closed forever,
ard emigration would have sought one side line or
the other according as they preferred
He then went on to state his objections to the
Kansas bill, and devoted some time to critcisng
articles which have appeared in the Union news
paper, attempting to read him out of the Demo
cratic party. He urged that although this was an
administration measure, it not party meas
ure, and announced his purpose to maintain his
present position, come what may. Mr. Douglas
spoke for about three hours.
Mr. Toombs followed in short reply, when Mr.
Green obtained the floor.
Mr. Green proceeded to rebut the arguments
made in opposition to the admission of Kansas He
first noticed the assertion that the friends of the
bill have been driven from the positions they as
sumed. This Mr. G.. denied, and asked to have
pointed out one single position which the friends
of the bill have abandoned, or one argument of
theirs which the opposition have successfully an
swered.
lie then went on to show that in all the speeches
made against the bill there nothing to Justify
any such assertion The opponents of the bill have
dealt in general assertions and allegations, which
they have failed to sustain by facts. This is not
argument. Mr. Green then proceeded to cite facts
to disprove the assertions of the opposition and
spoke at much length and with great ability.
The Senate then proceeded to vote on the various
amendments to the bill.
The following debate occurred in the House:
Mr. Garnctt made speech in favor of the Lee
compton Constitution, arguing that long as
the constitution of Kansas lasts, slavery must re-
main In that State ; it be altered only in the !