Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-04-29

Of the fact that this subject has already been more
thoroughly discussed than, perhaps, any other ever
before Congress, do not propose making any ex-
tended remarks, but am authorized By majority
Of the COMMITTEES Of Conference on the part Of the
Rouse to submit some Of the views which they en-
terrain in relation to the pending question, and
which, in part have Influenced their action. They
assumed the duties intTusied to them by the Rouse
deeply impressed with the heavy responsibilities
resting upon them.
A great auestion-perhsps the greatest Of the
age-one which has sgitated aHd engrossed the
public mind for the past four years-hss at last
come 10 crisis and its probable solution is brought
directly 20 the decision Of the representatives Of the
States and the people.
principles the committee endesyored to discard that
sDirit which would eudangsr the passage Of great
measure, and probably hazard the peace Of the
country for the sake Of unimpOrlant point OF IN
meaning word.
The amendment proposed as q substitute is the
very best that the committee able to agree upon
in view Of the embarrassing circumstances surround
ing the question.
It is true that it proposes the admission Of the
State on condition. but in this respect II does not
differ from either the Senate bill or House amend
ment Both of these measures propose admission
conditions varying in their character ana OBJECT
Nor does it differ from several precedeDts IN other
cases. EuGl as those OF AACulk1A oAN AON@s @--N
reason Of the propriety if not necessity, Of cond
tion in the case of Kansas grows out of the peculiar
nature of the application. This is fully exemphheo
in the Senate BILL for the admission in it is on an
ssexpress condition" which, however, makes nc
provision for the acceptance by the people OF Kan
sas Of the terms therein prescribed. hat mlghl
be the effect Of this omission is not altogether clear
The ordinance adopted by the convention at lie
compton. and submitted with the constitution, as
serts that he State of Kansas will possess the
undoubted right to such lands for the support Of
her State government, for other proper and egIi-
mate purposes connected with her existence as q
State" And this asserted right she proposes, on
admission to surrender, in consideration that the
Congress of the United States will make her the fol
lowing grants:
rive omit the statement here given by Mr. Eng
lisa, as the grants relate to mere local privileges
desired by the people of Kansas.
The proposition made to Congress by this ordi-
nance is Of the most extraordinary character and
wholly inadmssbe. A carefully prepared estlm ate
made at the General Land Office at the request OF
the committee shows that Kansas would receive an
aggregate in lands under her ORDINANCE Of % 59Z,
100 acres worth at minimum Government PRICE
S29 400 200 and this is exclusive Of other benefits
claimed and of what she might receive for lands
containing mines Of the useful and precious metals
except ccal lands. The amendment agreed to by the
committee proposesto give her the usual grants which
embrace precisely the quantity proposed to be
given by the Crittenden amendment. Under THIS
amendment Kansas would receive some 2O,OOO,OO
acres Of land less than she would receive under her
ordinance, making q difference in favor of the
United States-estimating the lsRd at minimum
price-Of S25, 100000
The amendment agreed upon may not be perfect !
but if this fail it is fair to presume that s available
parliamentary expedents for reconciliation will be
exhausted ard that the question will be left open to
sill further excite sectional preiudices and endanger
the peace aud prosperity Of the country
If the substitute is passed, the Kansas question
depart at once from the halls of COngFoss-perhaps
never to return; but if should return, it will
be at some future period, and deprived Of all power
of doing evil. The ship Of State will have passed
the breakers and gided into smooth and open sea,
where there is reason to hope there viii be no sec
tOnal storm for many years to come. The committee
cannot see that the bill would be otherwise than
beneficial to the people Of Kansas, whilst they feel
entirely certain that it would promote the best in
terests Of the country at large. 1t is Of those
cases, as they conceive where much is to be gained
snd nothing lost, so far as desirable results are
concerned.
Should the substitute be defeated and the question
left open the committee very much fear the conse-
ouenoes would be unfortunate for the country, and
that angry and threatening clouds would soon
obscure her destiny.
The probabilities are that the agitation would con-
tuue in its most malignant form to excite the people
10 separate the Ncrth from the Southland nc
man can foresee what would be the final result The
tendency would be to scatter terror and alarm
throughout the country, psralyze its business In
jurousy affect the value Of private property, con-
vulse the Union, and endsnger its very existence
It will indeed be fearful responsibility to hazard
for slight cause, all the blessings which few from
the Union of these States.
There are great occasonsin the progress Ofnations
which if wisely embraced, may exert salutary in
uence upon their destiny for ages to come; but II
neglected, there can be no recovery from the evil
consequences which may follow.
Such an occasion is now presented to the House,
in the judgment of the committee; and, having dis
charged their duty to the best of their ability under
thsiF convictions, they leave all others to act like
wise foF themselves.