The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1858-05-13
Cen. Cameron,s speech.

Gen. CamerOn's Speech.
just before the vote was taken or the
Kansas bill, in the Senate Of the United
States, Gen, CAMERON arose to address
the Senate, and made a few brief fremarks
reminding Senator BIGLER that he mis-
represented his constituents by voting for
the bill reported by the Committee Of
Conference -
Senator CAMERON said: Before the
vote is taken | desire to say word or two
in relation to my own course. 1t
was my intention at an early part Of
the session to say something upon the
general subject Of Kansas affairs, but [
am, as you all know, not much of pub
lie speaker, having but little capacity in
that way, and no taste for it. often
felt disposed to take part in the debate !;
but when I proposed to do so, | deferred
to others and sometimes when felt like
going On, [ found that some gentleman
was discussing the question better than |
could hope to do. rise at this time only
to say that | disapprove Of the proposition
now before the Senate, much more than
| did of the original attempt to force on
the people of Kansas a constitution which
they were unwilling to take. The origi-
nal bill was a plain proposition, for which
men might have voted honestl ly, without
subjecting their motives to censure. This
[ look upon as different affair. This, to
my mind, is trick to impose upon weak
men, OF to enable corrupt men to make
the impression upon their constituents at
home that they have been acting honest
ly, Still, | should have said nothing on
this subject now, if my respected col
league had not been in such hot haste TO
announce to the Senator from New York,
while he was discussing the proposition
that the vote had been carried in the 9th
er House against the wishes Of the free
men Of Kansas, His act was SO different
from what | expected from an honorable
Senator from Pennsylvania, that [ was
surprised at 1t, | haYe always heretofore
understood that no man III the whole
State Of Pennsylvania was moT3 positive
aud decided III the expression of his be-
lief before the people, that Kansas would
not only be free State, but that she
should not have State constitution at all,
unless it should be voted for by major
ity Of her citizens. His whole course in
life, until he came here, was in favor of
freemen and of the Free Labor of the
Northern States. His own history was
such as naturally to make him an advo-
cate Of freemen and free labor. Why he
has changed his course here is no bust
ness of mine; but it does seem to me in
bad taste that he should act as he does,
knowing, as he certainly does, that not
only the whole Opposition partyin Penn
sylvania, but a very .arge majority Of the
party to which he belongs in that State,
are opposed to this measure, and opposed
"a the conduct of the President of the
United States in regard to it; and I CAP
not permit him to come here and make
the impression that he believes the peo-
pie of Pennsylvania are in favor Of it !;
nor can [ remain quiet, much as | dis
like to talk in public, when the impress
sion is attempted to be made that the
people Of Pennsylvania are with him or
with the President Of the United States
upon this subject. If the vote were to
be taken tomorrow, the people of Penn
svlvania, by hundred thousand majori-
ty, would DECIDE that the President Of
the United States had deceived them in
regard to this matter, and would prove
also that my colleague is misrePresenting
his constituents on this great question.
The people of Pennsylvania are con-
servative, and on al! questions connected
with slavery they have always taken a
moderate course; but, sir, | tell you that
/ if any man, who was III their confidence
in the year 1856, could have convinced
them that, by any possible means, con
stitution could be forced upon the peo-
pie of Kansas in opposition to their wish
es, and without a vote of the people, Mr..
Buchanan could never have received the
electoral vote Of Pennsylvania. He owes
it to the conduct of himself, and the ac-
tive influence Of his friends all over the
State, asserting that by nature Kansas