Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-02-18
nEFERREn H0rsE DEBATES


Upon the passage Of ROWLES' amendment TO the
Kansas resolution:
Mr. SAUNDERS, when his name was called, said:
Mr. Speaker: ] will say in explanation Of my
vote, that in voting against the amendment, DO
not wishto be understood as taking a position
against the admission Of Kansas into the Union as
State under the Lecompton Constitution If the
LecomptOn Constitution was framed and adopted IN
accordance with the organic law establishing ter
ritorial government for Kansas, known as the Ne
braska and Kansas act, and were member upon
the floor Of Congress- would vote for its admission
with the LecOmptOu Constitution. If upon the other
hand the LecomptOn Constitution was not framed
and adopted in accordance with the provisions OF
that act l would vote against its admission. lmost
frankly acknowledge my entire Ignorance OF the
provisions of the LecOmptOn Constitution, and the
manner Of its adoption; and there are no means
within my reach, whereby can obtain the lntorma
lion necessary to post me upon these facts. do not
know what action has been had upon this Lec5mp-
ton Constitution: one report says, that this Consu-
tuition was fairly submitted to the people Of the
Territory. and wa sanctioned by a vote OF some
five thousand another report says that, this Con-
stitution was submitted TO the people and was re-
fected by a vote Of ten thousand. do not know
which of these reports Is true. do not know that
either one Of these reports is true. In fact, Mr..
Sneaker, the reports conflict much, that cannot
say positively that the Lec0mptoE Constitution mas
ever been submitted 10 the people; and am hardly
such thing as the Lec0mptOn Constitution. And,
there are other gentlemen upon this floor, and fear
q roodlv number upon my right, who are IN the
same fix. [ repeat, that do not understand a
single provision contained in that Constitution. 1t
is said that it contains slavery clause If so, it
suits me in that particular Bot it may contain
other provisions, to which could not give my con-
sent do not thiakit follows as matter OF course,
that constitution is acceptable, because II contains
a slavery clause, for 1t must necessarily contain
other provisions, or be q very lean instrument ana
do not know, as strong my Partially ls for that
clause. that I would vote for a Constitution con
tanning nothing else but slavery Ii 1t contains
ether provisions ] suppose 10 does, ask what
those provisions are2 ask you, gentlemen, upon
my right, who are processing by your vote, TO I'M
derstaud the Constitution 80 well rs TO take upon
yourselves the responsibility t6 instruct other men
10 endorse it. who are so situated aG TO give them
clue 60 all the facts connected with this thing, to
explain TO the provisions Of this mysterious IN
strumeut In all candOr, gentlemen, l assure yCu,
that dislike very much 10 be forced to vote bndly
upon this thing. l therefore, in all kindness, ask
light from you who have been favored with infOr-
nation upon this subject, if any such there be !
Mr.. Speaker, this amendment, as / understand it,
proposes to instruct our Senators and Representa-
lives 10 vote for the admission of Kansas under the
LeCompton Constitution. Who are our Senators .
The Honorable John Rel and the Honorable Andrew
johnson. Now, sir, if gentlemen upon this floor,
upou the admission of Kansas, OF upon any other
question involving the interest Of the people they
have the right and il is their duty, TO instruct him
TO take that course which will best promote the
interest Of the country or if gentlemen, from the
facts before them, know that Mr.. Bell intends TO
pursue a course detrimental to the interest of the
people then, it becomes them TO instruct him TO
change his course, for II is his duty, the repre-
sentative of the people, 20 do their will The people
know heir iulerest-and LEI lhtir will be done If
gentlemen understand the provisions Of this Consti-
tuition, and approve Of II, ana know that It was
framed and adopted in accordance with the Kansas
and Nebraska bill and believe that the interest Of
the people requires that Kansas should be admitted
under thar Constitution, and are uncertain as 70
what will be the action Of Mr. Bell, l see no great
improprlev in sending him Instructions But II they
DO moi understand this Constitution themselves and
know, nobiUr as 10 the mode of its adoption, il is
foolish ridiculous in the extreme TO say, what course
Mr. Bell or any other man should pursue. And
should there be an excuse for lusrucung john bell,
where is the necessity Of lnstrucung AZURE" John-
SON Is there a member upon this hoor-ls mere
democrat in the State, who believes that Andrew
Johnson will swerve hairs breadth from the true
democratic faith Why instruct himy Is he lgnor-
ant OF facts Of which you are in possession or Is ne
disposed TO DO wrong? Do YOU doubt his fidelity TO
the courtry-to the South Do you doubt his hdel-
itv TO the interests and policy OF the democratic
narty2 As for Andrew Johnson, politically hate
frmness and bolduess-a mGB who takes positions
onenlv. and fearlessy, and when once taken, he
rpbIisbes them TO the world, and deaes opposition
Yields to no party-but his positions upon the pOliti
cal questions of the day, form the platform Of the
Democratic partv. Then, sir, IN the first place,
49, need he there can be, no doubt, no mistake,
as 10 his course upon any question, upon which
he has taken position. and in the second place,
L. hin, Dursue what course he may, he can not de-
a from the faith, for his doctrines form the creed,
Of the democratic party therefore protest against
500 as Won are. and as well acquainted with their
RD,c-ssts He viii vote for the admission Of Kansas
nn5sT NE Lecompton Constitution am satisfied Of
!, - vor 10 not doubt it, If Andrew Johnson, In
y. Of an The facts connected with this thing, be-
ieves the Constitution is correct ana rePuOnosn IN
its nrovisions-has been fairly gotten Up and ap-
-oTsd of fv the people Of the territory am vii
Iin tbat he should vote for itf not would desire
him 40 vote against it. And do think you ought