The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1858-04-10
Defeat of tho Leoompton Constitution
in the House.

The Kansas debate ia the House was CON
tnued up 20 midnight and aiter on Wednes-
tlay night and then closed 10y agreement Of
all papties. Ia all, more than my speeches
have been made in that branch ia favor Of
the Lecompton Constitution, including five
by southern Americans Against Il have
been made ~ least seventy set speeches, in
Guiding three by southern Americans, and
fourteen by Douglas democrats, As in the
Senate, the subject has called out the best
ability Of the House, and has been discussed
with Glluess without precedent IN the his
tory Of Congressional debates.
On Thursday, April L.
The members assembled earlier than usu-
al and, before the House was called TO order,
we're cngdgrd in conversation IN groups la
various parts OF the Hall, relative 20 the i'm
portaut question soon TO be- acted upon, The
galleries wero densely crowded, and M
greatest anxioty was o'inccd respecting the
parliamentary movements on the Senate Kan
aas bill
Mr.. Stephens said the hour Of l o'clock
having arrived, he moved that the House
take up the Senate Kansas bill,
The bill was read once.
Mr., Gidlings Of Ohio objected to a second
reading.
Under the rule the question then required
was, "shnll the bill be rejected 9'
MIR. Stephens demanded the ayes and nays
winch MfIt tEnhflt IfhAlilNk -hlth bbf nays
1877. So the bill was not rejected.
[Messrs llarris Of H., and Chapman and
Hickman Qf Pa, voted yea with the republi-
cans. All the Americans, If IN number, aud
al the Douglas men, (the above three except
ed,) voted nay with the Administrations
The bill was then read a second time.
Mr. Stephens said he would not now discuss
the bill having heard that substitute was
60 be submitted. lie gave way To Mr.. Mont
s.N 1 ls. oil. fl..
Crittcndcn substitute rs amended by the anti
Lcc0mpton democratic conference, proposing
TO admit Kansas into the Union and 10 refer
the Lecumpton constitution back 10 the pco-
pie, who in the event Of It's rejection, are to
choose delegates 10 new constitutional con
Ncntion. This bill also allows the state one
representative in Congress until the next fed
crnl apportionmcnt.
Mr., Montgomery said he had no remarks
to make. The substitute was It's best inter
prefer. lie had furnished copies to some
members and was READY 10 supply others.
Mr., Quitmnu Of Miss (adm) offered sub
stitutr which was the same as the Senate bill
with the omission of the decaratory clause
that the people shall have the right at all
times to alter or amend the constitution in
such manner ds they think proper. &c.
| Mr.. Humphrey Marshall of Ky. (Amcr)
wished TO amend the original Senate bill by
Strikiug out the same clause which was pro-
posed 20 be omitted in Mr.. Qutman's sub
stitutc.
/ Mr. Stephens refused to Weld tho floor for
that purpose, and demanded the previous
/ question
Mi Mar,hallwautcd Mr.. Stephens refusal
to be borne ia mind and entered on the rec
ord.
The question was taken on the adoption
Of Mr.. Quitmun's substitute, which was neg.
| ativCd bN - ayes To 100 NAYS.
The ycOs were all from the South, 6j dem
ocrnts and I Americans. TIE nays included
all the republicans (02) all the northern
democrats (jJl the balance Of the Americans
/ az and : southern democrats.
Mr.. Montgomery substitute was then
adopted, ayes I2D, nays III.
The yeas were made up Of 90 rcpublicans,22
Douglas democrats, aud six southern Ameri.
cans.
The nays were composed Of - southern
n uumurru-S, rrurtfrrrrr-tiv trruerrt--A4.A-S
southern Americans.
The announcement OF the result was greet
ed with applause from tho gentlemen's gale
~.
Mr KCiTT OF s. e. moved that the cutlery
be cleared, and insisted upon the enforce
mcnt of The rule. Much confusion cnsued
The Speaker reminded the applauders that
they were not in the gallery of a theatre and
said if the indecorum was repeated the gale
rieS should bc cleared.
The House then proceeded to vote on the
Senate bill, as amended by the adoption Of
Mr.. Montgomery substitute, and il was pass.
cd-yeas 100, nays ll2.
| The yeas and nays on the passage of the
bill were precisely the same as on the adop-
ton of MIR, Moutsomerys substitute.
The House Immediately adjourned.
, THE HOUSE AMENDMENTS REJECTED
BY THE SENATE.
FRIDAY, April 2
I SENATE.-The Kansas BILL from the House,
- was taken up.
g The amendments were read, whereupon
/, Mr. Green of Mo- said, that, without further
i explanation, he would submit his motion 10
$ disagree with the House.
i Mr. Bigler of Pa. considered the amend
h mcnt rs clear violation of the Democratic
principle, that Congress would not interfere
!. with the right of the people to govern them
= selves.
b--t,iuS- iiiiii-itati -AeI,et,4siti the
4 Senator from Pennsylvania, that the question
! would have been settled in accordance with
v those Democratic principles which had been
c the rule of his (Dougnso life. He thought
r. if the amendments were concurred in bv the
{ Senate IT would he the triumph of those prin-
= eples, aud bring peace and quiet The Sen
ators on the other side urge us n reason for
) the admission of Kansas, that it will bring
n peace. Why not, then, admit her ? We can
f do II in one hour by asserting to this amend
ment Concur with the House. and thu ac-
ton is final, aud Kansas is in the Union, with
right to make a Constitution to suit her
self Let men of all parties and sections,
r then, unite in settling the contention. After
1t replying to Mr.. Bigler.upon what was a yo'
80 lation of Democratic principles, MIR Douglas
referred to the Presidents message, alludiug
u to Kansas and Nebraska, and asked if the
I'd President had abandoned the Democratic
y, partyg The object of the reference of the
lt Constitution to the people is simply to ascer-
X tain IL 1t is an embodiment of their will-ii i
n is their act ard dccd-and it is the duty Of