Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1858-04-01
XXXIVth Congress First Session.
EVENING SESSION.

WAsHINGToN, March %.
SrsArE-The Senate re-assembled at
seven o'clock. Mr.. Douglas on entering
the chamber was received with applause,
which he deprecated by shaking his head
and making gestures 10, the multitude 10
stop. Not foot of vacant room was left
in the galleries and the reporter. were
overrun by the invading throng. All the
seats on the floor were also occupied and
the windows near the roof were filled.
After alluding 10 the repeal Of the Mis-
souri, Compromise, Mr.. Douglas said Con-
gress eventually decided that the people of
new Territories should choose their domes.
tic policy for themselves, He was one of
those who, for the want Of power to carry
out his own measure, agreed with this new
line Of policy with the view Of healing Sec
tional strife, and restoring peace 10 the
country. The object was to localize not
nationalize slavery. The people of Illinois
approved Of his course, and the Legislature
passed resolutions TO that effect. Subse-
quently, as Senator from that State, he
felt it his duty to apply 10 the Kansas Ne
braska bill the principle which had been
substituted for that geographical line. Now
said Mr.. Douglas, the question arises in
the Lecompton Constitution in accordance
with the principles Of the Compromise Of
1850, and in accordance with the organic
. act? Have the people been left 20 manage
their own affairs in their own way, subject
/ only TO the Constitution Of the United States?
Does the Lecompton Constitution embody
the will Of the people of Kansas? II it
does, you have the right 10 admit her into
the Union under it, and waive any infor-
malilie, that may have occurred IN the de-
tails. The whole action OF this House turns
on this, whether or not the people had a
fair expression Of their will in that. act.-
But what evidence have we that it is SOP
At subsequent election the vote against it
was 10000. This was evidence to his
mind that the Lecompton Constitution is
not the expression of the will of the people.
1t has been said the: the election of Decem-
Der 2ls; was legal, and that on January
4th was not legal. The Legislature pos.
sessed as much power on January 4lh as on
December 2lst and February 20lh. Ifyou
can judge this constitution by the technical
form Of law, it was voted down. You are
called on now TO give it vitality, but if you
approach in a spirit of of craftsmanship,
you find that it was not the embodiment of
the will Of the people, hence l deny your
right to make it the organic law, and if it
becomes so, it will be by the act Of Con-
gre's and not by the will Of the people
We are told that the constitution may be
changed, and that it is a small matter. The
principle is the same when you set the ex-
ample of violating the principles of free
Government for day as for e year, and
give precedents to unscrupulous men,
Further, it is said that the people may
change their constitution when they will,
that they had no right to tie their own hand,
till 1864. He did not agree that the people
cannot tie their own hands. He held it is
fair Interpretation that when one mode Of
changing it was prescribed every other
mode was prescribed, and it could not be
altered till 1864. He did not object to it
because it bound them till 1864, if 1t is the
will Of the people, but if not, you have no
right 10 bind them 10 it for single hour
What right has Congress TO annul the pro-
visions prohibiting change till 1864? If
Congress can change one clause, it may an
nul or alter another and another, till the
whole instrument be subverted. You have
no right to annul, TO alter or construe it;
lay not your sacrilegious hands upon it; be
it the peoples act and deed. Farewell to
State rights, to State sovereignty when
Congress undertakes 10 construe State con-
s,itutions. States would become provinces
with no more independence than their cOun-
ties now have.
The latter portion Of his speech was de.
voted 10 the Washington Union attributing
its hostility TO his declining to v,te for its
publisher as public printer.
Mr.. Toom6s went into severe attack on
Mr.. Douglas course in relation 10 the Mis-
souri, compromise, and asked how E:any Of
his present confcdcrates then voted with
him. He then retorted on the Douglas
party, whereas they had said no slavery
constitution could be imposed upon the peo-
pie against their will, they had no objection
TO cram free constitution down the peoples
throats. Mr.. Toombs then followed Mr..
Douglas at great length, and characterized
the gentleman who now voted with Mr..