Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-01-01
The Kansas swindle.

the Lceomp,on Constitution. Here follows
a specimen Of the argument from Democrats
who support this fraud, and from those who
do not.
Green, No. adm, J said There seemed
10 be a want Of clear understanding as To
the relation which the federal government
sustains towards territory. The inhablt-
ants Of Kansas are a people, and what ena'
bling act il required to impart 10 them
power TO propose change IN their form OF
government? l. an enabling act To give
them more political rights or more inaliena.
bic rghis7 That would DO solocism and
q contradiction. From these considerations
IL must be argued that Congress would have
no right 30 refuse to admit Kansas under
the Lccompton constitution. The people Of
Kansas never proposed 10 form state gov
eminent without the consent Of Congress
Tn, convention was held in subOrdinaiion
% the territorial government. III admitted
into the Union. state government will
take the place Of the territorial government,
and not without. II any attempt were
made TO subvcr, the present government and
set up another in opposition 20 the federal
authority. we could suhjugatc IL; but they
do not propose to interfere with the terrific
rial government, until the assent OF Congress
is received.
Mr.. Fitch (adm J Of Ind, said IL the
election took place in Kansas yesterday.
Congressional action on the subject would
soon b. required that is, assuming there
were no frauds which would yi,iate the
election. lie desired that the decision OF
the people Of the territory, whether II adj
init or exclude slavery. should not be sup
poscl TO influence his opinions.
lIo would remark, in advance, while he
should feel bound 10 comment on the views
expressed by Mr.. Douglas, be did not desire
To read him out of the democratic party.
hut be would say. that man might by bis
own voluntary act, either by promoting dis
cord in the party. or 10y some other means,
place himself beyond the pale Of the party
organization. II, however, there were any
men in the democratic party who wished 10
take position outside, OF who attempted
90 iomcnt disc1rd, in return for some Ian
cicd grievance IN time past. they would do
well 20 remember the fate of every such At
tempt which had been made, FROM the days
Of burr 10 those Of Van Buren,. lie was in
favor Of admitting Kansas with whatever
constitution she might present. here. pro'l-
ded it was republican In form. The Con-
yeniion had power 10 submit the con'iitu-
lion OF withhold 10. and were responsible
only 20 the people Of Kansas Tor tie manner
in which they had exercised that right.
Mr. Douglas, of H.. IN reply said, ac'
cording 10 his own showing Mr.. Fitch dit.
fcrcd from the President on one point, and
vet the senator from Indiana had charged
him with faction. II differing from the
President was faction, that senator had
double the amount Of faction with himself.
He had not become the mere scryile tool OF
any President, 20 as 20 feel himself bound
10 take every recommendation without ex-
aiming 20 see whether II met hi, approba-
ton or not With regard 10 harmony in
the democratic party, he had only u say'
that IL democratic Senators and The Prcsi-
dent would stand By the Cincinnati plat
form, there would be harmony between
them all and himself lie aid, "call Il
faction. call IL what you please, ! intend to
stand by the Nebraska bill, Ia stand by the
Cincinnati platform. 10 stand by the organ
nation and principles Of the democrano
party. and defy opposition from whatever
quarter IL may come lie looked on the
Convention as trick and fraud upon the
rights ot the people, and with or without
slavery. he was opposed 10 the whole con.
Germ. lie did not know the Object Of all
these attacks upon him. Perhaps his oppo.
nents thought they could worry him out ,
but he would tell them that II be found his
strength failing, he would 60 OF and recruit
his energies. and come back and take u rak-
ing frc at the whole Of them. (lAughter.)
Mr.. Stuart, adm, y OF Mich, addressed
the Senate on the subject Of Kansas.
He said il was well remarked by Attor.
ney General Butler in the Arkansas case
iha; the power Of Congress upon the sub
icct Of the admission Of new states in plcn.
AIRY.
The questions 10 be asked were. whether
the form ol government was republican and
whether the people were satisfied with u.
and asked admission under u , for the power
Of Congress was % admit state, and not
cocrcc IL. flo cOntcnded that hall the pco-
pie Of Kansas had had no opportunity TO
vote for the election Of delegates 20 the Con.
ychtiou, as ia some counties no census had
been taken. lie also believed that the Con-
ysntion Intended trick and fraud upon the
people. and expressed views in accordance
with those which Mr.. Douglas had prcvi-
ously submitted. lie would never give his
vote 10 consummaie that fraud, which be
believes 10 be- the NEST enormous ever prac-
tised upon any people under the forms OF
law. lie believed that II this constitution
was forced upon the people Of Kansas, those
who did Il would light the torch Of civil
discord throughout the Union. They might
cry "pcacc." bat there would b. no peace.
Mr.. BrOlerick, (Adm.,) OF Cal, said
while he agreed with Mcssrs. Douglas and
Stuart in most Of their remarks, there was
one point on which be wished TO say few
words. When Coy. Walker and Secretary
Stanton went 10 Kansas they found state
Of instruction existed there, and succeeded,
with great labor, in restoring peace. Now,
be thought the President and his Cabinet
were alone responsible for the recent out.
breaks. This was tho fret time hc had
known the President 10 descend from his
high position aud attempt 70 coerce peacea'
bic citizens 10 the will OF lawless party men,
lie was sorry 10 disagree with his party, ioT
| he believed hc had rendered n much service
in the election of Mr. Buchanan rs any gen.
tleman on this floor. lie was also some
what astOnshcd at the iOrbearance oil the
people Of Kansas toward the delegates g.
the Convention. II the people had logged
them, cut their ears OF and sent them out
OF the territory. he, for one, would have
applaudod them for il. lie would not MAKE
any extended remarks now, but II tue Le-
compton constitution should ever oe pre-
sen,ed to the Senate he might have some
,h,,., o., 40 ,,l,ut a. then.